Top 10 Best Shopping Malls in the U.K 2024–2025

Overview: UK Shopping

The high street, which serves as the primary thoroughfare through all of the nation's towns and cities, has historically been the hub of UK shopping. You can still find a variety of stores, cafes, taverns, and other entertainment venues including movie theaters in and around these streets. There are convenient parking lots and strong connections to public transportation in these town and city centers.

Nonetheless, several stores have been moving to purpose-built retail parks on the outskirts of towns in recent decades, leaving downtown regions behind. Alongside fast-food restaurants, you may find a lot of big-box stores here that sell furniture, DIY supplies, and electrical equipment. Regional retail centers, like Sheffield's Meadowhall and Manchester's Trafford Center, can also be found on the outskirts of several cities. These comprise a variety of leisure attractions as well as numerous national and international fashion retailers.

In general, shops in the UK open at 8:00 or 09:00 on weekdays and close at 17:00 or 18:00 on Saturdays. Stores in rural areas used to occasionally close in the afternoons on Wednesdays and/or Saturdays, but this practice is vanishing. The majority of retailers in bigger towns and cities stay open later, until about 21:00. Evenings are usually cheaper for parking and public transportation, so this might be a fantastic way to save money. UK commercial restrictions place a limit on the majority of retailers' Sunday operating hours. It is common for even the biggest retail stores and do-it-yourself warehouses to close on Sundays at 16:00 or 17:00.

Top 10 Best Shopping Malls In The UK In 2024–2025

Top 10 Best Shopping Malls In The UK In 2024–2025

1. Shepherd's Bush and Westfield London

Address: Ariel Way, London W12 7GF

Are you trying to get away from the bustle of the most well-known tourist attractions in the capital? Take the bus or the tube to Shepherd's Bush and visit the well-liked Westfield London shopping center. With nearly 3000 shops, more than 80 delectable dining options, and a movie theater to see the newest blockbuster, the center offers something for every member of the family.

Kidzania London offers an indoor city for kids to play in, and lots of pubs for grownups to have a cheeky drink. It's always a terrific idea to visit Westfield London, especially now that they have year-round seasonal activities!

2. Westfield London's Stratford, Stratford City

Address: 157 Montfichet Rd, London

Opening Times: Generally, Monday through Friday are 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Saturdays are 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and Sundays are 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

Located as an entrance to the London Olympic Park is one of its special features.

conveniently located next to Olympic Park.

home to more than 70 restaurants and almost 250 stores.

includes a casino, bowling facility, and movie theater.

3. The Lakeside Mall in Thurrock

Address: W Thurrock Way, West Thurrock, Grays RM20 2ZP

Are you organizing a fun-filled family outing? Thurrock's Lakeside Shopping Centre has all you need for an enjoyable experience. Before pausing for a bite to eat in "The Boardwalk," begin your tour by perusing more than 200 boutiques, including tech companies, fashion labels, and heavyweights in the homeware industry. Even once you've finished shopping, there's always something to do with the Hollywood Bowl, Vue theater, Puttshack, and more!

4. Manchester's Trafford Center

Situated somewhat beyond Manchester's downtown, the Trafford Centre is a remarkable indoor retail destination including premium brands, mouthwatering cuisine, and a variety of coffee shops. But the Trafford Center's unique qualities extend beyond its shopping offerings.

There is a Sea Life Center, an Odeon theater, Laser Quest, an arcade, a family-friendly treetop adventure experience, and even a LEGOLAND discovery center. It's definitely worth a visit for families, friends, date evenings, and lone shoppers with all that and more under one roof!

READ MORE: 10 Biggest & Best Shopping Malls For Foreigner In Europe

5. Kent's Bluewater

Address: Bluewater Pkwy, Dartford, Greenhithe DA9 9ST

Shoppers travel to Kent to take advantage of all that Bluewater has to offer, especially with over 300 stores to peruse and an abundance of pubs, restaurants, and cafés. However, you don't need to visit stores and eateries to have a wonderful trip. A nature trail influenced by The Very Hungry Caterpillar can be found just outside the center. It features stepping logs, play spaces, and bug hotels arranged around the lakes. Additionally, the Gravity Trampoline Park and Hangloose Adventure will definitely test your fear threshold for those who enjoy unleashing their inner daredevils.

READ MORE: 7 Biggest & Best Shopping Malls For Foreigner in Rio De Janeiro - Brazil

6. Arndale in Manchester

Opening Times: Typically, Monday through Friday are 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Saturdays are 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and Sundays are 11:30 AM to 5:30 PM.

Special Features: One of the biggest shopping centers in the UK located in a city core.

One of the UK's biggest shopping centers located in a city.

provides a large selection of stores, ranging from electronics to fashion.

has a large food market.

7. Liverpool One, Liverpool

Address: Liverpool One, Liverpool

Open from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Saturdays, 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Sundays, and generally from 9:30 AM to 8:00 PM on weekdays.

Unique Features: An outdoor retail area that brought life to Liverpool's downtown.

outdoor retail area that blends seamlessly with the city core.

provides access to over 170 shops, pubs, and eateries.

includes an adventure golf course, a movie theater, and a park.

8. Metrocentre, Gateshead

Address: St. Michaels Wy., Metrocentre, Gateshead

Opening Hours: Usually 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM on weekdays, 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Saturdays, and 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Sundays.

Special Features: Once the largest shopping center in the UK and Europe.

Europe’s largest indoor shopping and leisure center.

Features an IMAX cinema, bowling alley, and an indoor theme park.

Wide variety of shops, from high street to designer.

9. Intu Trafford Centre

Address: The Trafford Centre, Trafford Park, Stretford, Manchester

The largest retail and entertainment complex in the UK is intu Metrocentre, formerly known as the MetroCentre. It is situated in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, England, on a former industrial site close to the Tyne River. The shopping center's initial phase opened for business on April 28, 1986. It has around 340 stores spread across 190,000 square meters of retail space. The three massive department stores of House of Fraser, Debenhams, and Marks & Spencer serve as the mall's main pillars. The mall is home to the stores of other significant fashion retailers as well. This location's recreational amenities include a 12-screen Odeon theater and the Namco Funscape, an indoor amusement arcade.

10. Cheshire Oak Designer Outlet

Address: Kinsey Rd, Wirral CH65 9JJ

Located in Ellesmere Port, one of the busiest outlet shopping centers in the UK, offering year-round discounts of up to 60% on all luxury brands. With the exception of Sundays, when it shuts at 18:00, the retail outlet is open daily from 9:00 to 22:00.

Consumers have two options: they can purchase goods from companies like Burberry, Dunes, Coach, and Pandora, or they can choose to have select brands' products personalized.

In Summary

There are a ton of enormous, unique retail malls in the UK that make them stand out above the rest of Europe.

Every one offers a unique combination of stores, dining options, and enjoyable activities. Imagine the family-friendly activities at the Metrocentre or the upscale, name-brand retailers of Westfield London. These locations provide much more than simply retail therapy.

Not Only Black Friday: Top 8 Popular Shopping Holidays Americans do not only go shopping on Black Friday; there are numerous other occasions and events that bring them to the shopping malls. You might ...

Top 11 Largest and Busiest Shopping Malls In Europe Today These shopping malls in Europe are among the largest and most crowded in the world, and they should not be missed by shopaholics.

Top 10 Biggest Shopping Malls In New York City For Foreigners Once you visit New York-the world’s paradise of shopping, you should not miss the following biggest shopping malls. Don’t forget to check out lists of ...