Best Places for a Shopping Day trip?

[LunarSea]

Can anyone suggest a good destination for a Christmas shopping day trip? Preferably somewhere which has a variety of shops which aren't all high street chains.

I like Shrewsbury, York, the old town in Lincoln - so sort of a historic town rahter than modern shopping centre theme there I suppose. Any other ideas?

Cheltenham, Chester and Harrogate are all good. They have lovely tea rooms, Historic quaint parts and that all important mix of shops.

cheltenham is good, especially when the german market is in town from end of november ish. i live here, and love to go and visit that every year

Manchester is good for the Christmas markets and a few good quirky shops but mainly multiples but worth it for the markets I would say.

Dammit, I clicked onthis thread looking for inspiration, and Im from bloody Cheltenham!

hi monkeyface- get yourself over to mn local to cheltenham, there is a meet up next month at montpellier wine bar c

Do you ever go to Cirencester? There's not many high street chains there, but lots of little interesting shops where you can easily spend a good afternoon and pick up lots of interesting / unusual stuff.

Winchester is nice, lovely Christmas market and ice rink outside the cathedral (need to book the rink). Has got a lot of chain shops, smallish branches generally, but quite a lot of individual shops too. It has a nice historical feel to it. Also has the biggest Farmers Market in the country, if you are looking for foodie gifts.

Cirencester and Cheltenham both easy day trips from here, so those are good calls, thanks.

lunarsea- if you do decide to come to cheltenham, please pm me, and if you fancy we can meet up? x