Where in the UK do you think has the best shopping?

[TheTurnOfTheScrew]

12yo DC1 wants a shopping trip for her birthday. We do actually live 15mins drive from the centre of a big city with decent shops, but to make it more of an occasion I'm up for going somewhere different - even doing an overnight trip if I can get a decently priced Premier Inn. Where do you rate?

I really don’t get this love for Meadowhall!

We are very much not on a Dover St Market budget, nor room service.
Even the cinema in Leicester Sq is out. We're more Premier Inn and the PeckhamPlex.

Although Manchester often wins hands down for me, I am a huge fan of York or Chester for shopping with a range of independent places (I mean, one cannot beat Aflecks, but as an extra special treat a bit of variety from the norm might be nice)

Meadowhell would be right at the bottom of my list too BikeRunSki

London followed by Manc and Leeds!

I hated Manchester for shopping - hard to find places as it's so spaced out and nonsensical. I'd do York for a nice shopping day out. The shops are good if not as many as Leeds/Manc but the city and lunch is lovely

As you’re in Manchester I’d say Birmingham then, and recommend the New St Premier Inn.

OP - just pick the city / town you'd secretly like her to choose for university ...

Brighton!

Where do you live, and how far are you actually prepared to travel?
Aswell as other places, Brighton and Glasgow have been recommended.
They couldn't be further away if they tried!

Sorry OP, haven’t time to read whole thread. But my tuppence worth is Belfast!
My DSis lives in central London and she loves shopping here in Belfast. She says it’s so compact but great choice. You could fit in a bit of sightseeing too as it’s such a small city. Do the Titanic Museum?
Plenty of cheap places to stay. My aunt visited recently, £89pp, 2 nights b&b, with a bus sightseeing tour AND a GoT locations tour inc Giants Causeway.
If you’re coming PM me and I’ll give you shopping tips.

Bristol - has Harvey Nichols and the biggest Primark outside London. Also Cribbs Causeway by J17 of the M5. Clifton village too.
Bath- lots of chain stores and lots of little independent shops. There's also the Museum of Fashion to visit. Currently running an exhibition on royal fashion.

Just somewhere pleasant to wander with a good mix of High Street stores and ideally a few independents/alternative shops, and some decent lunch options

Bath, Cambridge or Covent Garden.

I would think about what shops your DD likes and then decide. At 13 my DD was beginning to get into shops such as Pull & Bear, Brandy Mellville, Pink & Forever 21. Plus she liked make up shops such as Kiko.

If shes' into 'chain stores', then Birmingham is very good.
Our first girly weekend away was to London. Day 1 spent around Oxford St & Covent Garden. Day 2 doing Mum things like Kensington Palace & V&A. Day 3 visiting Camden Market. As you live so close to Manchester, I do think London might be the only place that will have the wow factor for your DD. Though Lush is opening their biggest store in Liverpool tomorrow.
One thing that you can maybe do that doesn't cost anything but will make it more special is to book a personal shopper - we did it at Oxford Street Top Shop. Basically we just looked round and selected what DD wanted to try on, they then got different sizes etc where required. It saved us queuing for the changing rooms and I had a comfortable sofa and drinks whilst DD tried on half the shops stock.
Alternatively if shes into make-up, try getting a 'make over' at Bobbi Brown, MAC or Kiko.

I'm going to curveball and suggest a town, not a city.... Kingston upon Thames is the best Greater London shopping centre outside of central London, and has the bonus of a gorgeous riverside location with restaurants a-plenty.

New Look
Top Shop
Oasis
Primark, huge
Jack Willls
Hollister
& other stories
Next, huge
M&S x2
John Lewis plus independent Fenwick type department store, Bentalls with loads of 'young' concessions
Nice nail bars everywhere
Lovely coffee shop
Fab market with street food options

Glasgow is fab for shopping, plus its very compact all the shopping is along a mile most of which is pedestrianised, plenty of restaurants and friendly people! Oh and reasonably priced hotels in the city centre!

Glasgow is great for shopping. Has lots to do too and plenty trendy places to eat.

Manchester I liked too for shopping but for me Glasgow tips it but maybe I'm biased!

London is clearly the best for choice and variety but since it's a no-no for you I would plump for Birmingham, the Bullring has got all the desirable shops, plus Selfridges.
This apartment-hotel is just by the bullring and is stylish and indeed cool. Stunning views.
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How could I forget...Oxford! and I love Exeter too.

Can’t believe how many people rate Leicester! I think it's crap! I work there and don’t like the shopping much at all, not a patch on MK. I love Birmingham and Manchester though. Glasgow also nice but always seems to have terrible weather.

I vote for Liverpool, it has all the high street chains but also a nice independent selection and some good cultural stuff to see outside of shopping. We had a fab weekend there a few months back.

Leeds is OK but dull beyond the shopping and York is compact and historic but with far too many wizarding shops and shuffling tourists! However I work in both (waves to BikeRunSki ) so they're probably just a bit too familiar for me to recommend!

Cambridge is nice but pricey shops for a 12 year old. Birmingham or Leicester shops would be more friendly for that budget. Big New Look, Primark and H&M in Leicester and the likes of Miss Guided etc in Birmingham. I take my DD for a mocktail in The Alchemist because it bubbles and she loves it.

York. Everything you'd expect on the high street from the high end to the low, with a good bunch of independents thrown in and plenty of coffee, cake, lunch, hotel options too. Plus it's soooo pretty!

@GeorgeTheBleeder late to the party but I really don’t get what’s good about Chester it’s so run down now. Cheshire oaks is great but there is a designer outlet in York and you can get the park and ride into the centre it’s lovely

Newcastle's quite good for shopping. York I didn't rate at all.
I'm trying B'ham soon, that's supposed to be good.