Does anyone know any factory shopping outlets in the UK? We know of one in Chester which unfortunately is a little too far from us (well far too far ATM since we are in Italy , but too far from Cambridge where we are based in the UK), hoping someone may know one towards the north or even in Scotland as we are planning to head up there when we get back on Wednesday.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Hi Mrs Dagboy ,
factory outlet right on the border at Gretna , not massive but has a few good shops , Hilfiger , Next , Shoe shops and a lot more I can't remember. Also one in Livingstone , just off the M8 between Glasgow & Edinburgh called "Freeport" , much bigger than Gretna but it's been a while since I've been there and another one up Stirling way called " McArthur Glen" { I think it's called that }, never been , but it's supposed to have good sports outlets .

Hope this helps ,

Tass.

Thanx Tass, the ones at Gretna & Livingston may get a visit from us

there are a few big outlets up this way, 1 just off junction 28 M1, another off M18 junction 3 and 1 near Castleford off the M62 i think.

Jon

The two I go to are McArthur Glen which is in North Notts just off junction 28 of the M1. Also the shopping outlet at Bicester which in my opinion is better again off at junction 15a of the M1 and follow signs for Bicester.

TT

The only one I know is in Swindon, bit out of your way, but more importantly Mrs D....wheres me postcard!!!
Has it stopped raining yet?

Hi mrs d thier is a freeport in blackpool north west of uk.

hope this help

Ann Marie

Ditto TT - Bicester

http://www.shoppingvillages.com/bice...tervillage.htm

Fabulous one at Bicester, just north of Oxford, on the M40...

I don't know if that is too far for you?

Julie

Hiya

There is one near Spalding in Lincs, which is a bit closer or you could try the Galleria at Hatfield which is about the same distance. Have you tried doing a search on McArthur Glen which owns most of the outlet centres?

Jo

Hi Mrs D

Cambridge used to be my stamping ground & I regret that it is short of outlet shops. However there is a place called Freeport at Braintree. I've never been there but MarkMyWords' ex-wife (a delightful lady, who shares my passion for shoes - poor chap keeps marrying these manic footwear fetishists ) swears by the Ecco shoe shop there.

Also I think there's a place called The Galleria down the A1 at Hatfield. Not been there either.

If you don't know it already, can I recommend Bluewater (at Dartford, down the M11 from Cambridge, along the M25 a bit, about 1.5 hours drive). Very good shopping indeed, no outlets but huge Marks & Sparks, John Lewis, House of Fraser etc as well as Next & all the other places we miss.

Happy shopping!
Cheers
Anya.

Mrs D

IMO wouldn't waste your time at the Galleria (Hatfield). I go thinking I will find what I want and never ever do. If you do go, please don't go on Sat or Sun, you will be queuing for HOURS to get into the car park.

Haven't been, but heard very good reports of Bicester.

Enjoy the trip.

Ther's one at Braintree, very easy to get to from Cambridge M11-A120.
Also one at Clacton on Sea.

PJ

Sadly this is true of almost every shopping mall/center everywhere in the UK. My 'record' time waiting in line for the parking lot in central Cambridge on a Sat was 1 hour 53 minutes. Mind you, I did complete the FT Crossword while I was waiting....

Anya.

Hi

Don't know how far north you are coming but there's an outlet at Loch Lomond I think it's called Loch Lomond shores or something. They have M&S and a few designer outlets.

Jayne