Oxford : Reading : Bristol - which is nicest for shopping

[Handsnotwands]

We’re pretty equidistant from all. DD is 8, we’ve never been “shopping” as a thing to do and she’d like to.

I don’t plan on buying loads but she’d like to mooch around, go to H&M and a spot of lunch

So oracle, Westfield or cribs causeway?

Reading.

Thanks Cigars. Does reading have the most shops? Or is it just a more pleasant place? I could also combine with Ikea and that TD S always a good idea!

Bristol

I live near Reading and very rarely shop there, prefer to drive to Bracknell for the lexicon. But really enjoy a shopping weekend in Bristol.

I like Cribbs for easiness. There is an ikea in Bristol too!

Are you going today? The main covered mall Cribbs is good in this weather, except that some of the shops that were DD's favourites at that sort of age are not in the main mall but are in little satellite shopping areas with their own parking, eg Hobbycraft, Smyth's toys, TKMaxx.

Bristol definitely

Ikea in Bristol is a long way from Cribbs, unfortunately - it is closer to the other main shopping mall, Cabot Circus, which is city centre.

If I were to go to Bristol, I would choose Cabot Circus over Cribbs Causeway every time - more there & a better choice of food options.

Oxford is lovely, but a lot is outside - thing old style high street.

Reading - a lot more is connected undercover. Nice restaurants by canal.

As someone above said, Lexicon at Bracknell is very nice.

I can't speak for the others but Bristol has several good shopping areas. In the centre of the city there's Cabot Circus (House of Fraser, Harvey Nick's are the biggies). Next to that is Broadmead with a massive Primark, M&S, Debenhams and loads of other shops.
If you want a shopping Mall then go to Cribbs Causeway. It's just off junction 17 if the M5.
There's also Clifton village and Gloucester Road which have lots of independent shops.

With an 8 year old I probably would go for:

Oxford
Reading H&M & Zara but eyewatering parking.
Bristol

If you aren’t so fussed about the department stores/H&M there’s always Swindon?

Or sack it and head to Westfield in London if you are already South East ish

Oxford, since Westfield has been built it’s wonderful!
Covered market, high st & Westfield all fab. Great eating places too.

I live in Reading. It doesn't compare with the other two for shopping.
Full of empty units. Yes it's got a decent riverside foodie but but not much for a good shopping day.

Definitely Oxford. The new Westgate Centre is lovely. They often have extra things going on in school holidays there too.

Bristol is nice but very spread out. Reading is just horrible. Standard high street stuff, but nothing special or different and so many empty shops and too much grubbiness.

Thank you all. I think we’re going to go to Oxford as I have been to the other two though many years ago.

We will park and ride and she’ll probably enjoy the bus more than the lunch which is my main motivation 😂

Parking at Oxford Westfield is pretty reasonable