Menu Close

Travelling To The UK From New Zealand? Culture Shock Or Best Experience?

Every year, over 40 million tourists flock to the UK, and – for some reason – most of them only come to visit the capital, without even the faintest desire to set foot beyond its city limits. 

Now, there’s plenty of fun to be had in London; it’s an iconic city that blends centuries-old history with a modern multicultural vibe and offers something for everyone – especially shoppers who want to cram their wardrobes with absolutely everything they can get their hands on, from designer items to quirkier vintage finds.

But if you’re planning a shopping trip to the UK soon, either with a group of friends or solo, and if you’re even considering booking that overpriced two-star hotel in London, you need to know what some of the nation’s best cities have to offer.

Leeds – The North’s Best-Kept Secret

The unofficial capital of Yorkshire has transformed itself from an industrial superpower into one of the UK’s most exciting modern urban escapes, bursting with cult high-street names, luxury labels, and vintage gems. The city is chock-full of different shops that can cater to a consumer’s every need.

The northern hotspot is also home to plenty of department stores, but if you’re looking for a shopping centre in Leeds, you need to check out Victoria Leeds. There, you’ll find an all-star lineup of designer boutiques and high-end brands, all wrapped up in the historic Victorian arcade. The shopping centre’s 98 shops should be more than enough to keep you covered for the day: they have everything you need, from beauty and high-end fashion, to technology and homeware.

If you’re still able to carry more, we’d recommend that you head over to the Briggate – Leeds’ bustling high street, where you can soak up every flavour of the local culture and tick any remaining retail favourites off your list, along with a well-earned coffee.

Manchester – Supersonic Style

Known for its notorious music scene and global football powerhouses, Manchester also undeniably knows how to shop, and does it with style. 

Between the city centre and the palatial 2.2 million square foot Trafford Centre, the capital of the north has every shopper’s wishlist covered. We’d recommend taking a couple of days to have a proper nosey around everything the city has to throw at you. 

First of all, take advantage of the city centre itself. There’s plenty to browse, between polished designer spots in Spinningfields, high-street favourites in the enormous Arndale Centre, and a metric tonne of vintage jumpers, shoes, and football shirts to wade through in the northern quarter and Ancoats. 

If your bank account can withstand any further damage, we’d recommend that you set yourself loose in the Trafford Centre to plug any and all remaining gaps in your trip. There, you’ll be free to check out a couple of the UK’s best department stores, some rarer high-street brands, and even take a look at some finance options for a new EV, if that’s your kind of impulse buy. While you’re at it, you can catch the latest releases at the Trafford Centre’s huge cinema, or even hit the slopes at the UK’s biggest indoor ski slope.

Birmingham – Buying in the Black Country

The UK’s second largest city is brimming with big brands, high street favourites, and unique finds. Birmingham has everything that a shopaholic could possibly wish for and more, with sleek shopping centres and historic markets which really do offer something for everyone.

Bullring and Grand Central is the crown jewel of Birmingham’s jam-packed retail scene. With over 200 shops, you could spend endless hours shopping and still leave plenty of stones left unturned. For something a bit more refined, you might fancy heading over to The Mailbox, Birmingham’s riverside hotspot for designer boutiques and luxury brands. If that still isn’t enough for you (and you can still afford your return flight), then the jewellery corner blends both high-street and traditional jewellers, where you can find hand-crafted rings, necklaces, and more hidden gems.

If you’re on the lookout for a more independent feel, then you need to pop over to the Bullring Markets. With three authentic local markets and over 580 stalls, you’ll be able to root out anything that your heart desires, whether it’s vintage clothing, homeware, or even a diverse range of delicious multicultural dishes. 

Before You Book…

It’s easy to see why so many of the UK’s holiday goers opt to visit the capital – London has so much to offer in the way of history, modern British culture, and (most importantly) retail therapy. But why limit your options? The UK is full of incredible cities waiting in the wings to blow you away – not just Leeds, Manchester, and Birmingham! 

London’s got plenty going for it, but that doesn’t make it the best that Britain has to offer. If you’re booking a much-needed shopping trip to the UK, you owe it to yourself to take a look at some of Britain’s other retail Meccas. Plus, the people there will probably be friendlier. 

Related Images:

Posted in Uncategorized

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.