While the high street has its charms, the country’s best shopping centres offer something more curated, for those in the mood to peruse the racks and shelves of major brands and high-fashion stores. Making this an all-day event goes hand-in-hand with a spot of lunch or an earlier dinner, with plenty of the country's most prominent retail therapy centres having dining options that are far above your traditional food court.
These are the destinations where one might spend an entire day not just shopping, but enjoying their surroundings amid the raft of upscale facilities that accompany them. From white-picket-fenced villages to the glitz and grandeur of Old London’s most famous arcades, the following selections redefine the traditional idea of a shopping centre and elevate the experience far beyond the average retail experience.
Bicester Village, Oxfordshire
No list of Britain’s premier shopping destinations is complete without mentioning Bicester Village. Nestled in among Oxfordshire’s green hills, this appropriately dubbed “village” outlet impresses with its boutique façades that almost appear as gated homes, painted in pastel tones and set along tree-lined walkways, every bit a vision of American suburban bliss circa 1950. Over 160 brands, such as Gucci, Dior, and Prada, sit alongside British staples, such as the likes of Mulberry and Burberry, ready for travellers to explore at their own pace.
To aid this, personal shopping lounges and an in-house concierge service elevate the experience well beyond traditional retail. Further to the point, dining remains a key part of the Bicester Village experience. The Farmshop Restaurant & Café, created by Soho House, offers a British menu of locally sourced dishes that complement the rural location. Bicester’s charm is legendary among retail circles at the highest end of the UK, and whilst to an extent, it does suffer from overtourism, this only enshrines its status as a retail destination quite unlike any other on these shores.
The Royal Exchange, London
Located in the heart of the City of London, The Royal Exchange stands as one of the capital’s most architecturally striking shopping spaces, bearing more in common with the likes of Milan and Paris than most of post-industrial London. Originally established in the 16th century as a centre of commerce, the Grade I-listed building today hosts an ensemble of leading brands for all forms of fashion beneath its grand columns and domed roof.
Hermès, Tiffany & Co., and Montblanc are among the names that grace the Exchange’s elegant retail landscape. Beyond the boutiques, The Royal Exchange offers refined dining in the form of Fortnum & Mason’s bar and restaurant, where champagne and oysters are served beneath the magnificent glass atrium. It’s rare to come to such a fine corner of London that feels almost completely unhurried and unbothered, but despite the appeal of this distinguished shopping centre, it’s still possible to reflect on the exquisite look of the building after the crowds have dispersed, come early evening.
Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth
Travelling to the south coast of England for a retail experience with a very pronounced nautical theme, Gunwharf Quays has kept watch over the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour for centuries. Whereas once it was famous for its gun emplacements that kept enemy warships at bay, now the views that stretch out across the bay are framed from inside upmarket outlets for leading brands. Stores harbouring the designs of Michael Kors, Hugo Boss, and Paul Smith are among the brands that can be found at this waterside retail experience.
The location is served by direct train connections to London, and with proximity to local landmarks such as the Historic Dockyard museum and its impressive collection of warships, and the views atop the glass-floored Spinnaker Tower, it’s no wonder the Quays remain a popular destination for shoppers. Even in winter, with the bracing sea air, a day spent wandering through the outlets deserves to be topped off with a tipple or two at the Alchemist, appreciating the view of ships bobbing in the harbour as they haul their own catch of the day home.
The Corridor, Bath
A city hewn from honey-coloured limestone, Bath is a masterpiece in itself. Near its heart lies The Corridor, within walking distance of the city’s most celebrated landmarks, yet often overlooked as a destination in its own right. This was one of the world’s first dedicated indoor shopping centres, built in 1825 under Henry Goodridge, who lent his design and building talents to many other local sites and landmarks.
The Arcade is no less a marvel itself, combining much of the late Georgian period’s grandness into one, brightly lit space under high ceilings, with an emphasis on craftsmanship and design of British origin. The design of the arcade itself was highly influenced by that of the Burlington Arcade in London, which is clear to see for discerning visitors familiar with the colonnades and columns of the London site. It’s a wonderful piece of history, and in a city filled with as many options for shopping as Bath, The Corridor still manages to stand out as a key destination for retail therapy seekers.
Victoria Quarter, Leeds
As the name will no doubt imply, the Victoria Quarter is a masterpiece of Victorian architecture reimagined for the modern age. Beneath a stained-glass roof stretching the length of the arcade, polished marble and ornate ironwork frame storefronts proudly carrying names such as Louis Vuitton, Mulberry, and Harvey Nichols. The setting exudes grandeur, offering an experience that rivals any other major city in the country, from one of its most overlooked.
In recent years, the adjacent Victoria Gate expansion has added a striking modern counterpoint to the historical aesthetic of the Quarter. Together, they form a complete retail experience that advances shopping in the North of England significantly. Boosted by the sizeable presence of up-market eateries and brasseries such as The Ivy, and with a host of other activities in the nearby area, Leeds Victoria Quarter is among the cream of the crop for shopping in the further north of the UK.
Burlington Arcade, London
No list could be complete without the Burlington Arcade for shopping centres in the UK. Opened in 1819 and widely considered the world’s first covered shopping arcade, the Burlington remains one of London’s most elegant and storied retail destinations. Its marbled floors, arched ceilings, and uniform shopfronts evoke a bygone era of refinement, echoed by the watchful presence of the Beadles. These uniformed guards who have patrolled the arcade since its inception maintain a sense of order, dignity and heritage that few shopping environments can ever dare contemplate.
Within its long, narrow gallery, boutiques such as Church’s, Hancocks, and Manolo Blahnik offer the finest that retail might have in central London. From bespoke perfumeries to vintage jewellers, the true customer base at the Burlington Arcade is that of collectors and connoisseurs. A well-timed afternoon tea nearby at The Wolseley or Brown’s Hotel is the only way to cap off a day spent immersed in London’s glorious shopping past.
