Best UK shopping outlets: 13 locations offering up to 60% discounts

If you're looking for the best shopping outlets in the UK, the good news is, there is probably a great one not too far from where you live, offering permanent discounts from the likes of Hugo Boss, Ralph Lauren, Adidas, Levi's and L'Occitane. While these outlets are a great way to save money, they also offer an opportunity to try new brands that you might otherwise not be aware of or able to afford. 

With more than 30 outlets open around the UK, these stores provide opportunities for significant reductions on both high street and designer goods - and the best part? These discounts are available all year round, on everything from clothes, homewares, shoes and bags to toiletries, books and toys. If you're not able to get to one of the outlet villages, then you can also get high-street branded clothes for less than £5 with this secret website.

Designers and high street brands at each outlet might vary, but can usually find names like M&S Outlet, Clarks, Calvin Klein and Ugg to name a few. Discounts can vary, but you're looking at about a minimum of 30% off up to 70% off.

So have a look through our list to find the best UK shopping outlets, their opening hours, their top shops and how to get there.

13 best UK shopping outlets

1. Bicester Village, Oxfordshire

Where: Located in the Oxfordshire countryside, Bicester Village is an hour from London and Birmingham, just off the M40. It's easy to reach by car (with free parking) and train. The Shopping Express coach also runs daily (excluding Christmas Day) direct from London.

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday: 09:00-21:00, Sunday: 10:00-19:00

What's there? If you like designer brands, Bicester Village is a haven. There are over 150 boutiques with up to 60% off names like Barbour, Calvin Klein, Dolce & Gabbana, UGG, and Kate Middleton favourite, Reiss. It's not all high-end shopping, though - other stores include Clarks, Levi's, Pandora and The White Company.

Extras: There's free WIFI at Bicester Village along with a good variety of cafés and restaurants including Pret A Manger. There is even opportunity to become a VIP member of Bicester Village, where you can get member-exclusive discounts and early access to private sales. 

2. The Galleria, Hatfield

Where: The Galleria is located just north of London, at the top of the A1(M) between junctions 3 and 4. Parking charges start from £1.30 an hour Mon-Fri and free after 6pm, with a flat £2.50 charge on weekends and bank holidays. If you prefer, you can pay for parking using the QwikPark app, which is available on the App Store and Google Play.

Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 10:00-20:00 Saturday: 10:00-18:00 Sunday: 11:00-17:00

What's there? The Galleria has more than 50 shops including household brand names with up to 60% off at any time. You'll find the likes of The Body Shop, Clarks, JD, M&S Outlet, Superdrug, TK Maxx, and Waterstones among the ranks. 

Extras: There are a whole host of restaurants and cafés at the Galleria to choose from including Mcdonald's, Nando's, Pizza Express, and Wagamama's. There's also an Odeon cinema at the shopping centre as well as a Get Wild adventure playground.

3. Braintree Village Outlet, Essex

Where: Located in Essex between Chelmsford and Colchester, Braintree Village is easy to reach via the M11 or A12. There are 1,600 free parking spaces, including 42 family bays, for shoppers staying up to six hours. A regular train runs from London Liverpool Street to Braintree Freeport Station.

Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 10:00-18:00; Saturday 09:00-19:00; Sunday 10:00-17:00

What's there? Braintree Village is a high-street shopper's paradise with more than 75 brands including, Adidas, Barbour, Clarks, M&S Outlet, Reiss and The Perfume Shop. Typically, stock is discounted between 30-80% so you should find great bargains.

Extras: There are several places to eat and drink, including Pizza Express, Bill's and Costa Coffee.

4. York Designer Outlet Village

Where: The York Designer Outlet Village is located a 10-minute drive from York's city centre, close to the interchange of the A64 and A19 and there is free parking for shoppers.

Opening hours: Monday-Saturday: 09:30-20:00, Sunday: 10:00-18:00

What's there? Although it's a designer outlet, there's a good variety of shops including Joules, Next, Nike and M&S Outlet. If you like designer wear with up to 60% off, you'll be spoilt for choice from Ralph Lauren, Lacoste and Michael Kors. For sweet treats, there's also a Cadbury's store and a Hotel Chocolat.

Extras: Places to eat and drink include Wagamama and Pizza Express. The outlet also has a children's play area and activities at certain times such as mini golf as part of the Great Summer Social Event.

5. Caledonia Park Designer Outlet, Gretna, Scotland

Where: Caledonia Park Designer Outlet is a minute's drive from the motorway via the Gretna exit from the M6/M74/A75. There's free parking and Gretna Green station is a short walk away too.

Opening hours: Monday-Saturday: 09:00-18:00 Sunday: 10:00-18:00

What's there? With over 50 outlet stores, this centre has a lot of favourite high-street names such as M&S Outlet, Next Outlet, Nike Factory Store and Sports Direct. Designer brands include Le Creuset and Polo Ralph Lauren.

Extras: There are 5 cafés at the outlet, including Burger King, Subway and Starbucks, as well as an outdoor play area for children aged 3 to 12. There are special events at certain periods too such as Easter, Christmas and summer holiday weekends.

6. Swindon Designer Outlet

Where: Situated in the Cotswold and Wiltshire countryside and close to Swindon town centre, Swindon Designer Outlet is off Junction 16 of the M4 motorway or Junction 11a from the M5. Swindon train station is a 10-minute walk away.

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday: 10:00-20:00, Sunday: 10:00-18:00

What's there? You'll find the likes of Puma, Nike, and Under Armour alongside Guess, Calvin Klein, and Tommy Hilfiger.

Extras: There are 10 cafés and restaurants for all budgets and tastes, including Pizza Express, Five Guys, and Starbucks.

7. Dalton Park Outlet Shopping Centre, County Durham

Where: Dalton Park is located off the A19, 20 minutes south of Newcastle and half-an-hour north of Middlesbrough. Parking is free at the centre.

Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 10:00-18:00 Saturday: 09:30-18:00 Sunday: 10.30-16:30

What's there? The biggest outlet in the region, Dalton Park offers up to 50% off high street prices, from the likes of The Range, M&S Outlet, Next Outlet, Levi's, Skechers and Yankee Candle.

Extras: There are several cafés and restaurants including Starbucks, McDonalds and Millie's Cookies, as well as a Cineworld cinema.

8. Affinity Staffordshire Outlet Shopping, Stoke on Trent

Where: Located near Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire, Affinity Staffordshire is off Junction 16 from the M6. There's free car parking and it's a 10-minute drive from Stoke-on-Trent Station.

Opening hours: Monday to Saturdays: 10:00-18:00 (17:00 on bank holidays), Sunday: 10:00-16:00

What's there? There are over 40 stores from fashion to homeware with up to 60% off. Popular fashion stores include Next Outlet, M&S Outlet and H&M. Homeware stores include Denby and for sports or outdoor goods there's Nike Factory Store, Mountain Warehouse and Trespass. You'll also find The Works at this outlet.

Extras: There are cafés at the outlet as well as a Burger King. Kids are well catered for with the kids' play area with ball pools. During the school holidays there is also a Kids Club offering a range of events.

9. Clarks Village, Somerset

Where: The Clarks Village shopping outlet is in the village of Street in Somerset. From the M5, exit Junction 23 and Street/Clarks Village is signposted along the A39. Parking costs from 80p an hour to £3 for over 4 hours.

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday: 09:00-19:00 (Thursday 20:00) Sunday: 10:00-17:00

What's there? With over 90 designer and high-street stores from M&S Outlet, Clarks and Next Clearance to Timberland and Hobbs, this outlet has a huge variety of stores with up to 60% off. 

Extras: There are 11 cafés and restaurants at Clarks Village from Caffe Nero to Gourmet Burger Kitchen. Kids will love the King Arthur's Forest play park with dragon slides and wooden turrets and a traditional carousel.

10. Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth

Where: Gunwharf Quays is located on the waterfront in Portsmouth. Exit the M27 at Junction 12, then join the M275 motorway which brings you directly in to Portsmouth, and then follow the brown signs for the Historic Waterfront. There is a 1,500 space underground multi-storey car park, that costs from £3.20 for up to two hours, to £25 to park for a full 24 hours. 

Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 10:00-20:00, Saturday: 09.00-20.00, Sunday: 10:00-18:00

What's there? More than 90 designer and high-street stores including Armani, Denby, Joules, LK Bennett, M&S Outlet and Pandora.

Extras: There are more than 30 cafés, bars and restaurants at Gunwharf Quays, including Bella Italia, Five Guys, Carluccio's and Frankie and Benny's. As well as a cinema and bowling alley, you're also close to Spinnaker Tower and the Gunwharf Quays Marina. 

11. West Midlands Designer Outlet, Cannock

Where? The West Midlands Designer Outlet is located in Cannock with easy access from the M6 and M6 Toll. It's also just a five minute walk from Cannock Train Station. There are also daily bus routes from Birmingham City Centre. There is free car parking available year-round.

Opening times: Monday-Friday 10:00-20:00, Saturday 09:00-20:00, Sunday 10:00-17:00

What's there? A broad selection of outlets including Boss, Clarks, Joules, Next and Molten Brown. 

Extras: There are a variety of cafes and restaurants, including Wagamama, Five Guys,  Starbucks and Pizza Express.

12. Cheshire Oaks, Chester

Where? Cheshire Oaks outlet village is located near Chester and easily accessed from the M53. Ellesmere Port and Chester train stations are about 15 minutes away, and there are also daily buses from Chester, Liverpool and Ellesmere Port Town Centre to Cheshire Oaks. 

Opening times: Monday-Saturday 09:00-21:00, Sunday 10:00-18:00

What's there? A great mix of 145 designer and high street brands including Barbour, Clarks, Jigsaw, Levi's, Lululemon, M&S Outlet and Next Clearance. 

Extras: There's a variety of cafes and restaurants to choose from including Starbucks, McDonalds, Harry Ramdens, Pret, Yo Sushi and Patisserie Valerie.

13. The Boulevard, Northern Ireland

Where? Located in Northern Ireland, The Boulevard is just off the A1 between Belfast and Dublin, just outside Banbridge. There is also a dedicated bus service from Lisburn, Portadown, Lurgan, Moira, and Newry train stations. It has more than 1,300 free parking spaces, including

Opening times: Monday-Wednesday 10:00-18:00, Thursday & Friday 10:00-21:00, Saturday 09:00-18:00, Sunday 13:00-18:00.

What's there? You'll find a mix of high street and designer brands at The Boulevard, including Adidas, Joules, Clarks, Guess, Villeroy & Boch as well as outlets for both M&S and Next. 

Extras: There are a few food places to choose from including Costa Coffee, Burger King, and Moesgrill. Breastfeeding and bottle-warming facilities are also available. 

Why are shopping outlets cheaper?

Outlets are cheaper than mainstream brand stores as they only sell surplus, past season or end of line stock. You might also find that you can pick up designer items that have slight defects in outlet stores for a fraction of the original price. However, this means you won't see any new releases discounted in an outlet store. 

Outlets also give brands the opportunity to sell directly to their customers, which can cut out any third parties, which means the brand can sell their stock more cheaply.

And while mainstream stores will only be able to discount their prices during a couple of sale periods each year, outlets can offer discounts all year round.

Selling excess stock at outlets reduced the amount of stock that retailers send to landfill and allow them to make additional profit on stock they thought they wouldn't sell. Outlets also mean that retailers can keep the space in their main stores free for newer stock they can sell at full price.

Some retailers will even create outlet-only lines that have never been in the main stores at all. In order to be sold at a lower price point, these items might be different styles or materials to the past season stock. 

Pros and cons of shopping at outlet stores

Pros of outlet shopping

• You can get discounts of up to about 70% off RRP
• You can buy from brands that you might normally not be able to afford
• There's usually a wide choice of retailers and products on sale
• Discounts are available all year round

Cons of outlet shopping

• You won't get the newest trends or releases
• You might find style choice is limited, so it's best to shop with an open mind
• Sizes might be limited too
• Some styles are manufactured to be sold at the outlet, so it might not feel like a real bargain
• Returns can be tricky - make sure you try before you buy.

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