The Best Places in the UK to go Outlet Shopping

 

With high streets, retail parks and shopping centres re-opening their doors across the UK this spring, you certainly won’t be alone if some long-awaited retail therapy is high up on your agenda over the next few months.

Whether you’re keen to refresh your wardrobe, want to realise some ideas you’ve had for the home and garden, or are looking to invest in some new tech – there’s no shortage of shopping destinations where you’ll find everything you need in one place. But if you love getting more for your money, then opting for an outlet mall is the way to go. Boasting top name brands but with labels slashed by as much as half (and occasionally even more than that), here are a handful of UK outlet centres where you could bag a bargain this spring and summer.

 

Bicester Village

Oxfordshire, England

Widely considered to be one of the biggest and best, Bicester Village is among Southern England’s premier shopping destinations if you love finding a bargain. Home to more than 160 huge-name brands each with their own quaint boutique-style stores across the site, Bicester Village promises a touch of luxury alongside those discounted prices.

The ‘village’ name is no coincidence, as the vast centre is broken up by charming and colourful wooden-clad lodges that give Bicester the feel of an old English high street. Top names to keep an eye out for include Longchamp, Lacoste, KENZO, The Kooples, The White Company, Burberry and Jimmy Choo. What’s more, once you’re done snapping up some special pieces for your home or wardrobe, you can hop into neighbouring Oxford for an evening of entertainment.

Bicester Village is just 16 minutes’ drive from Leonardo Royal Hotel Oxford, or around 25 minutes if taking the train from nearby Oxford Parkway to Bicester Village Station, with a few minutes’ walk at either end.

 

Bridgend Designer Outlet

Bridgend, Wales

Among the top shopping destinations South Wales has to offer, Bridgend Designer Outlet packs a seriously impressive list of names into its accessible and easy-to-navigate footprint. Just off Junction 36 of the M4 as it stretches between Cardiff and Swansea, you can uncover all sorts of bargains whether you have your home, wardrobe or beauty regime in mind.

Among the centre’s biggest brands are the likes of Ted Baker, The Body Shop, Superdry, Le Creuset, Joules, Bedeck and Adidas. There’s even an Odeon cinema on-site, as well as a selection of your favourite high street restaurants – but you’ll have even more options if you head over to the neighbouring Welsh capital after the stores close.

If that sounds like the perfect weekend away, then you’ll be happy to hear our Leonardo Hotel Cardiff hotel is just 33 minutes’ drive from the outlet. Alternatively, you could always catch a train from Cardiff Central to Wildmill taking under half an hour, with around 20 minutes walking at either end of the journey.

 

Junction 32

West Yorkshire, England

Well within reach of Yorkshire hubs like Leeds, Wakefield and Sheffield, Junction 32 is the place to be if you’re looking for cut-price labels in the North of England. Just outside the town of Castlefield, this relatively compact centre emulates the feel of a high street and boasts plenty of the brands you know and love among its occupants.

Outlet stores you’re certain to call in at include the likes of M&S, Jack Wills, Moss Bros, Yankee Candle, MenKind, Barbour and Baytree Interiors. And if that’s not enough to fill a day, over the road you’ll find the epic XSCAPE centre with its ski slope, bowling, cinema, arcades, bars and restaurants.

Junction 32 is only around 23 minutes’ by car if you’re staying at Leonardo Hotel Leeds. Alternatively, you could get the train from Leeds’s central station to Glasshoughton in just 25 minutes, with a small walk at either side.

 

Swindon Designer Outlet

Wiltshire, England

One of the few UK outlet malls to be found within a town centre, Swindon Designer Outlet combines its handy location with some seriously slashed prices from all the big names. Occupying the remnants of a former railway works, this eclectic centre nods to its past with the displaying of real steam locomotives along its covered streets.

With over 90 stores and 12 restaurants, including popular favorites like Five Guys, Giraffe, and Wagamama, the Swindon Designer Outlet provides a diverse shopping and dining experience. Indulge in a day of exciting shopping in Swindon, where the Swindon Designer Outlet beckons with its unbeatable discounts from renowned brands. Discover top names such as Fossil, H&M, Kurt Geiger, Levi’s, Sketchers, and Tommy Hilfiger, all at enticing prices. And after a day of retail therapy, the bustling bars and eateries of Swindon town center are just steps away, offering a perfect way to unwind.

Swinton Designer Outlet is conveniently just a stone’s throw from ourLeonardo Hotel Swindon hotel. You can drive to the centre from here in as little as five minutes, or cover that distance on foot in just 20 minutes.  Swindon is not only renowned for its designer outlet, but it is also a must-visit destination with an abundance of things to do and see. For suggestions, check out our Swindon City Guide.

 

Livingston Designer Outlet

West Lothian, Scotland

Among the top retail destinations in all of Scotland, Livingston Designer Outlet is conveniently situated between the cultural hubs of Glasgow and Edinburgh. As the country’s largest outlet shopping centre it boasts more than 100 stores for you to have a browse around, with the mall’s unique glass architecture adding a touch of charm and being a nod to the now-lost Crystal Palace.

There’s plenty to keep you busy for a full day here, including an eight-screen Vue cinema and a selection of excellent eateries. Among the most iconic brands you’ll be filling your shopping bags with are Adidas, Hugo Boss, Calvin Klein, Crew Clothing Company, Fred Perry, French Connection, Molton Brown and Reiss.

You can travel to Livingston Designer Outlet by car in just 40 minutes from our Leonardo Royal Hotel Edinburgh hotel. There’s also the option of getting the train from Edinburgh’s central station to Livingston South in under 30 minutes, with a short walk required at each side.

 

The Boulevard

County Down, Northern Ireland

On the outskirts of the charming town of Banbridge, The Boulevard is the ultimate port of call if you’re looking to get designer labels for less in Northern Ireland. This modern and well-styled outlet mall is a destination in its own right, with a line-up of brands that easily rivals the best across the UK and Ireland.

If you’ve got some new threads in mind, don’t miss Jack & Jones, Klass and Guess. Meanwhile, those looking for some home interiors inspiration will love Villeroy & Boch, Julian Charles and Denby. To top it all off, the bight lights of Belfast are only a short drive away and are the perfect excuse to make a stay of it.

If you would like to pair your trip to The Boulevard with a stopover in Northern Ireland’s capital, you’ll be pleased to know that Leonardo Hotel Belfast is just 32 minutes’ drive from the centre.

 

With hotels in all corners of the UK, stay with us at Leonardo Hotel and make an occasion of your next big shopping trip.