Alistair White has been in the travel industry for over 20 years and is the founder and CEO of Cheaper Than Hotels. Cheaper Than Hotels offers cheap London hotels and and cheap hotels in Manchester.
Shopping is one of the great experiences in the UK. However, on the whole prices aren't cheap. Fortunately, discount sales are frequent, virtually a British institution. And if you're from outside the EU, you can get a VAT refund more easily in the UK than any other EU country.
Shopping In London
London is full of stylish shops and grand department stores but for real shopping pleasure, you can't beat the city's many street and flea markets. They're noisy, crowded and you have to bargain hard, but you can't beat them for sheer shopping fun. Here are some of the most famous.
Covent Garden is the grand dame of them all. With a long and colourful past, this West End mainstay is now made up of several markets. Apple Market sells collectible nostalgia including ceramics, leather goods, toys, clothes, hats, and jewelry. Jubilee Market specialises in antiques market on Mondays; the rest of the week it offers budget garments and books.
Coming in close second in the fame stakes is Portobello Market in Notting Hill. Mainly a Saturday event, it comprises three main sections for antiques, fruit and vegetables, and a flea market where locals hawk bric-a-brac and secondhand goods.
Shopping In Manchester
Shopping capital of the North West of England, Manchester is second only to London in the UK shopping charts. And in one way, shopping in Manchester actually outdoes the capital - most of the larger shopping areas are pedestrian-only.
Manchester's main shopping zone lies west of Piccadilly Gardens with traditional shopping outlets, including Harvey Nichols and Selfridges, clustered around Market Street and the Arndale Centre on Corporation Street. Trendy boutiques and designer outlets abound in posh King Street and St Ann's Square.
Shopping In Leicester
Leicester's shopping scene has acquired a new spirit in recent years. The famous Leicester Market with seven hundred years of trading history has been joined by walking streets and vibrant shopping centers.
You have a great choice for shopping in Leicester. Leicester's two major indoor shopping centres - the Haymarket and Shires Centre - are home to the major brand name outlets. Pedestrianised Gallowtree Gate houses the major chain stores while the nearby The Lanes mainly features small independent retailers.
Leicester is also home to Europe's largest covered market. Open from Monday to Saturday, Leicester Market features over 270 stalls. A market has been held on this site since the 14th Century.
For more ethnic wares, head to bustling Belgrave Road, where you'll find Leicester's Golden Mile. This area is thronged with shops, stalls and hawkers selling food, clothes and ornaments from the Subcontinent. Get your fill of spices, silks and saris here.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- London Mobile Phone Shop
- London: A Blend of Fashion Style and People
- London Has 4 World Heritage Sites
- When You Go to Kingston, Pop Into the Place of London for It's Museums
- Don't Worry About the Congestion Charge, Visit London
- When You Visit Kingston, Pop Into the Place of London for It's Culture
- Holidaying in the Uk: London, Birmingham and Manchester
- New Year Shopping in London
Hybrid Car Rental
By: Heinz Golz | 06/12/2009Hybrid cars are on the leading edge of 21st century technology. Their sophisticated technology includes progressive engine design, electronic braking, first class aerodynamics, 5 star safety and additional options like satellite navigation. Hybrid cars are fuel-efficient, trendy, and pleasure to drive, therefore they're a nice alternative for vacation rentals.
A December in Rio de Janeiro – Part II
By: Razvan Jr | 06/12/2009The second part of the article continues to review unique and exciting events that are organized in Rio in December.
Online Airline Booking For Yatra Flight Tickets
By: Arvind Khanna | 05/12/2009Check flight timings for your Yatra flights and get online airline tickets booking for Yatra flights. We also provide updates on flight timings for Yatra flights if there any last minute changes.
Domestic Flight Tickets
By: Arvind Khanna | 05/12/2009Book flights tickets for your air travel here. We offer domestic tickets at cheapest rates. Every ticket airlines is cheaper than other ticket offers on the internet, as we are one of the leading ticket seller in the country.
Corporate Events and Black Limousines
By: airportfirst | 05/12/2009. A stretch limousine would be a great way to clinch that all important deal or to keep a potential client enchanted at a corporate event. In London and Surrey, there is no dearth of corporate events as they occur on a frequent basis. There is an affinity towards the colour ‘Black’ and, it seems to be the preferred colour for corporate events and small parties.
My Airfare Secrets Review
By: Chris Mason | 05/12/2009There is a lot of information about the airline ticketing system and the prices they charge, which a normal traveler doesn’t have access to. If you have correct information available to you, you can save a lot of money on your traveling, hotel stays and reservation.
Managing your Finances on your Barcelona Holiday
By: David Brydon | 04/12/2009Barcelona in Spain has cemented its place as a top destination for travellers coming far and wide, and retains its universal appeal for people of all ages. So how can you get the best out of your finances when visiting the Catalan Capital in such a current economic downturn? Here’s how.
Exploring the wilderness can be calming and enjoyable.But?
By: Paul Ingersole | 04/12/2009Always stay on marked trails. While it is appealing to go into territory that is untravelled, there is a reason such trails are marketed. In addition to your safety, it is to allow you a marker for finding your way back. Even seasoned explorers have found themselves lost once they ventured off the trail.
Have a Break in Brighton: London by the Sea
By: Alistair White | 13/12/2007 | TravelBrighton on the south coast on England is a popular seaside destination known as ‘London by the Sea’. In the 18th century, London’s elite made Brighton a fashionable place to be. Today, it is still popular, with its amusement parks and piers.
Travel to Broome: the Pearl in the Wilderness
By: Alistair White | 27/11/2007 | TravelBroome is a fast growing city in the extreme North of Western Australia. Broome is a perfect seaside resort for visitors, with its great architectural styles and unusual history, and the fantastic beach there is something for everyone. Shoppers can enjoy the chic art galleries, street cafes and jewel stores, and 14 miles of the pristine sands with a tropical influence of the Indian Ocean.
Shopping in Spain is an Adventure
By: Alistair White | 23/11/2007 | Travel TipsShopping in Spain offers a delightful contrast to some other cities in Europe. The pace is more relaxed, the shopkeepers friendlier, and the range of good excellent. Here's a look at the shopping scene in Barcelona and Madrid.
Shopping in Italy is a Wonderful Adventure
By: Alistair White | 22/11/2007 | Travel TipsShopping in Italy is a wonderful adventure. From the elegant hush of designer boutiques to the raucous bedlam of a flea market, it's an experience you'll never forget. And you might even make some good purchases.
Shopping in Germany: Berlin and Munich
By: Alistair White | 22/11/2007 | Travel TipsShopping in Germany may not have the cachet of France or Italy, but it's still great fun to pick up some local and imported treasures. Berlin and Munich are the major shopping centers in Germany and you'll be sure to find something that pleases.
The Great Joys of Shopping in France
By: Alistair White | 21/11/2007 | Travel TipsShopping is one of the great joys of a visit to France. Not only is the range of goods incomparable in range and quality, but the act shopping itself is like in no other place. It's almost an art form. The way to get the most from your French shopping experience is to take your time. This article looks at the scene in two of France's top shopping centers. The first, of course is Paris. The second might come as a surprise. It's Bordeaux and we guarantee the surprise will be a very pleasant one.
The Great British Shopping Experience
By: Alistair White | 08/11/2007 | Travel TipsShopping in Britain offers it all – great department stores, chic boutiques, and bustling markets. And though prices aren't cheap, bargains abound. A look at the shopping scene in three of the UK's great cities – London, Birmingham and Edinburgh.
Shopping in the UK
By: Alistair White | 04/11/2007 | Travel TipsOnce the world's premier trading nation, the UK today is still a commercial powerhouse where you can pick up products from all over the world.. While London the country's biggest shopping experience, Manchester and Leicester also have their own shopping charms.