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15 of the Biggest and Best Shopping Centres by Train

Why not take the train for your next shopping trip?

Whether you’re planning a relaxing day of retail therapy, searching for Black Friday bargains, or looking for a great deal on something specific, there are places all over Great Britain to go shopping that are easy to reach by rail.

These shopping centres offer everything from bargain buys to luxury items, plus cinemas, restaurants and more fun leisure activities. They also offer seasonal events like Christmas markets, ice skating and holiday activities for kids. With everything you need in one place, it’s even simpler when you go by train.

You can find top deals for less on your shopping when you get there, and if you travel with a Railcard(external link, opens in a new tab), you can get 1/3 off most rail fares too, leaving you more money to spend at your destination!

Find a shopping centre near you

1. Westfield London

Westfield London(external link, opens in a new tab) in West London has over 350 shops, boutiques, restaurants, venues and activities. The Village is home to famous designer names like Tiffany & Co, Louis Vuitton and Prada.

2. Westfield Stratford City

Westfield Stratford City(external link, opens in a new tab) in East London, which overlooks the Olympic Park, has 250 stores, including John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, and Waitrose.

3. Bicester Village

Bicester Village is an open-air, pedestrianised shopping centre in Oxfordshire, offering great savings all year round. It hosts many international fashion and lifestyle boutiques, from Alexander McQueen to Zadig & Voltaire, as well as personal shopping and a multilingual concierge.

4. Bullring & Grand Central

Birmingham’s Bullring & Grand Central(external link, opens in a new tab) is the UK’s largest city centre shopping mall. It has an iconic Selfridges store, hundreds of places to shop and dine, and all kinds of events throughout the year. Keep an eye out for the famous bronze Bullring bull statue.

5. Lakeside Shopping Centre

Lakeside Shopping Centre(external link, opens in a new tab) has a wide range of retail, dining and leisure activities, all set in the Essex countryside. The centre was voted one of the top 5 in the UK.

6. St James Quarter

Opened in 2021 in the heart of the city, Edinburgh’s St James Quarter(external link, opens in a new tab) has a Galleria with a mix of established world-class brands and independent boutiques, as well as restaurants, a cinema and more leisure activities. Once you’ve shopped, eaten and been entertained, you can even stay the night in one of the hotels.

7. Battersea Power Station

The rejuvenated Battersea Power Station(external link, opens in a new tab) was opened to the public in 2022 and continues to grow. The iconic building is now home to an amazing array of luxury brands, and also boasts cuisines from all over the globe, plus green public spaces, riverside walks and the Lift 109 (external link, opens in a new tab)viewing experience, at the top of one of the chimneys.

8. Metrocentre

Newcastle’s Metrocentre(external link, opens in a new tab) was built on the site of an old power station on the River Tyne. It’s now a thriving retail space with 5 colour-coded malls (Red, Green, Blue, Yellow and Platinum), and a variety of shopping and leisure activities.

9. Liverpool ONE

Built around the existing streets of central Liverpool and opened in 2008, Liverpool ONE (external link, opens in a new tab)spans 5 separate areas, all with different architecture. It’s the UK’s largest open-air shopping centre, and as well as a wealth of shopping and entertainment there’s also a 5-acre park at its heart.

10. St David’s Dewi Sant

St David’s(external link, opens in a new tab) shopping centre in Cardiff opened in 2009 and has put the city on the shopping map! With the largest John Lewis outside London, and over 180 stores and restaurants across 1.4 million square feet, it’s an ideal destination right at the centre of the Welsh capital.

11. Buchanan Galleries

Buchanan Galleries(external link, opens in a new tab) holds a prime location in the heart of Glasgow city centre, and is home to top brands including John Lewis, LEGO, and Lakeland. It’s also right next door to an 18-screen Cineworld cinema and the city’s Royal Concert Hall.

12. Meadowhall

Sheffield’s Meadowhall(external link, opens in a new tab) shopping centre boasts multiple retail areas, from the everyday shops of the High Street to the designer wares of The Avenue and the independent boutiques of the Lanes. There’s also plenty to eat and drink in The Oasis.

13. The Trafford Centre

You can shop, eat and play to your heart’s content at The Trafford Centre(external link, opens in a new tab), the massively popular Manchester destination with everything you could want, all under one roof.

14. Bluewater

Kent’s Bluewater(external link, opens in a new tab) has over 300 high street and luxury stores as well as over 60 places to eat. Once you’ve done the shops, you can also enjoy a 17-screen cinema, trampoline park and Hangloose Adventure, which has the UK’s only outdoor skydive machine and Europe’s largest swing!

15. Outlet Shopping at the O2

Part of the O2 complex in Greenwich, Outlet Shopping at the O2(external link, opens in a new tab) has more than 60 designer brands at up to 70% off. Plus there are plenty of restaurants and activities.

You can even get 10% off climbing to the top of the O2’s iconic roof with National Rail’s Days Out Guide(external link, opens in a new tab) when you go by train.

Plan Your Journey

Get 1/3 off train fares with a Railcard

  • Save up to 1/3 off your trips when you travel by train with a Railcard

  • From children to seniors, over 20 million people in Great Britain can save with a Railcard. See which one is right for you

  • Buy yours today for just £35 and you’ll make the cost back in 1 or 2 trips! 

Opening times are subject to change.

Main image and Battersea Power Station image credit: © Charlie Round Turner

St James Quarter image credit: © Nick Caville

Liverpool ONE image credit: © Liverpool ONE

Buchanan Galleries image credit: © Connor Mollison

Outlet Shopping at the O2 image credit: © Outlet Shopping

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