Lady’s 7 Best Places for Christmas Shopping in the UK

Today I want to bring you my guide to the best places for Christmas shopping in the UK. From London to Bath and Edinburgh, they range from national capitals to festive cities. Each features a unique retail scene that will draw out your inner shopping enthusiast, not to mention your inner Christmas fan. Whether you’re looking to browse somewhere with all the high street names or a city packed with independent shops, there’s a British Christmas destination you’ll love. I’ve included a map, too.

Best Places for Christmas Shopping in the UK

The places on my list are some of the most famous cities for finding seasonal gifts and decorations in the UK. From England to Scotland and beyond, they have a range of stores offering everything from baubles to clothing, home goods, books, and more.

I’ve personally visited all these places and I can tell you from firsthand experience how impressive they are as shopping destinations. Each has a mix of household names, independent boutiques, department stores, and one-of-a-kind offerings.

 

Whether you want to take a festive Christmas shopping trip to London or an indulgent retail therapy expedition to another place in the United Kingdom, you’ll find a city (or seven) that will get you into the seasonal spirit.

Shopping Tips

Christmas shopping in the UK can be overwhelming. As in many places around the world, shops and seasonal markets fill with people as December 25th approaches.

Crowded streets and busy shops can generate excitement and hassle in equal measure, so if you know where (and when) to go, you’ll stay on the right side of Christmas fun this festive season.

Whether you’re looking for gifts for friends or loved ones, baubles for your tree, or stockings for the family, there’s a place in the UK where you can find what you need.

When to Go Christmas Shopping in the UK

As far as when to go to Christmas shopping, there’s no such thing as too early. In fact, some shops stay open year-round, and most department stores’ Christmas shops are open by the end of September.

Additionally, the sooner you start, the fewer crowds you’ll encounter. If you’re organized enough to shop in September, October, or before or during the second half of November, you’ll get all the benefits of the UK’s best Christmas shops without as many people around.

Even if you’re not, you can still shop for decorations and gifts throughout December. Just try to go on a weekday or a weekend morning if you can. They’re good times to enjoy a quieter experience.

If you’re willing to wait until December 26th to do some or all of your Christmas shopping, there are good Boxing Day sales. New Year’s sales in the UK can offer good value as well.

1. London

I’d be remiss if I wrote a blog post about the best places for Christmas shopping in the UK without starting with London. The capital is one of the most famous places to shop in the world at any time of year, and it’s well worth a visit during the festive season.

No matter what you’re interested in purchasing for your friends, your loved ones, your or home, you’ll find something perfect in London. From garlands to clothing, books, and unique finds, there’s something for everyone when you go Christmas shopping in London.

If you need inspiration, I’ve published blog posts about the best things to buy in London, the best places to find London Christmas decorations, the best department stores at Christmas, and shopping arcades at Christmas.

From the festive boutiques in Covent Garden and Seven Dials to Carnaby Street, Bond Street, and landmark department stores like Harrods, Liberty, and Selfridges, there’s no shortage of places to browse and buy in the city at Christmastime.

I’ve also drawn up an entire itinerary for shopping in London, a London Christmas itinerary, and a guide that covers London for book lovers.

Additionally, I’ve written a lot about the best shopping streets in London and the top high streets in London. The obvious ones include Regent Street and Oxford Street, but there are others locals love.

From the King’s Road in Chelsea to Shoreditch High Street, Brick Lane in Spitalfields, Camden High Street, Bermondsey Street near London Bridge, Upper Street in Islington, Elizabeth Street in Belgravia, Marylebone High Street, Hampstead High Street, and Piccadilly, my posts will show you the highlights of the city’s shopping scene.

And that’s to say nothing of the Christmas markets. From Trafalgar Square to Winter Wonderland and the South Bank, the London Christmas markets are some of the most popular places to shop for gifts in the UK.

London’s year-round markets are great places for Christmas shopping, too. Whether you want to look for alternative goods and vintage treasures in Camden Market, pick up foodie gifts at Borough Market, or browse the antiques at Portobello Road Market in Notting Hill, there are lots of great markets in London.

If the UK capital sounds like your kind of place to browse and buy during the festive season, you can book a place to stay in the city here. I’ve also written about the best hotels in London and quirky hotels in London if you want specific recommendations.

2. Edinburgh

Next on my list of the best places for Christmas shopping in the UK is Edinburgh. The Scottish capital is one of the best cities for shopping in the UK at any time of year, but in the run-up to December 25th it really shines.

That’s because the Edinburgh Christmas markets are full of fun things to browse and buy. From Princes Street Gardens to George Street, they’re packed with chalets selling everything from candles to ornaments and handicrafts.

If you like Britain’s famous department stores, you’ll also find a branch of Harvey Nichols in Edinburgh. Like its London counterpart, it’s home to a famous restaurant that makes for a great lunch spot on a big day of Christmas shopping.

Other popular places to shop in Edinburgh at Christmas include Victoria Street with its Harry Potter shop (called Museum Context), the St James Quarter shopping mall, the Royal Mile, and local areas like Bruntsfield and Morningside.

But what I really love about Christmas shopping in Edinburgh is the bookshops. From the famous Topping & Company Booksellers to the warren of dusty rooms at Armchair Books, they’re great places to pick up gifts for the literature lovers in your life.

If Edinburgh sounds like your kind of city for shopping, you can book a place to stay here. I’ve called the city home-away-from-home many times and I love The George at Christmastime. It’s in an ideal location on George Street near Princes Street and Harvey Nichols. You can book your room here.

3. Leeds

Next on my list of the best places for Christmas shopping in the UK is Leeds. Before my first festive visit, I read that there was great a retail scene in this city in the north of England. But it wasn’t until I arrived that I discovered how good it was.

The beautiful Victorian shopping arcades in Leeds get dressed up for Christmas. From bauble-adorned trees to garlands and bows, they go all-out for the season. The Victoria Quarter, Queens Arcade, and County Arcade are worth a visit just to see their stunning interiors and decorations.

There are also fun independent boutiques and high street shops throughout the city. They offer shoppers a range of places to browse for seasonal gifts and decorations.

Other Christmas shopping highlights of Leeds include famous department stores like Harvey Nichols and the eye-catching Corn Exchange. They’re both great places to shop for Christmas gifts.

If you’re visiting in late November or before Christmas in December, the Leeds Christmas markets are a must. They offer a range of unique gifts, crafts, and foods from around the world. The markets make this one of the best places to visit at Christmas in the UK.

If Leeds sounds like your kind of Christmas shopping destination, you can book a hotel in the city here. There are lots of options for accommodation, and my top pick is Dakota Leeds. It’s right near Leeds Town Hall and the train station, and the rooms are beautiful. You can book your stay here.

4. Bath

In Somerset, Bath is another of the best places for Christmas shopping in the UK. The city is magical at any time of year, but it’s even brighter with markets and decorations during the Yuletide season. It’s one of my favorite Christmas day trips from London.

Many of the best shops in Bath go all-out for Christmas. From outdoor lights adorning the facades to twinkling numbers inside the boutiques, the decorations are impressive.

The seasonal gifts on offer in the shops make perfect Christmas presents for friends, family, and other special people in your life, too.

Bath has plenty of events and markets on offer during the festive season as well. The Bath Christmas Market takes over the city center, and its chalets are great places to find gifts and artisan crafts. It’s one of my favorite British Christmas markets.

A festive day trip to Bath is a great way to take it all in, but there’s enough Christmas shopping here that it’s worth a multi-day getaway. From swoon-worthy bookshops to vintage stores, you can fill an entire weekend in Bath.

If that sounds good, you can book a place to stay in Bath here. I’ve spent a night at The Yard in Bath, and I love the rooms and atmosphere. You can book your room here.

5. Manchester

Back up north, Manchester is another of the best places for Christmas shopping in the UK. This fun student city is a great spot to get into the seasonal spirit.

That’s primarily because Manchester is famous for its Christmas markets. They’re the largest in the UK, and they’ve been voted some of the best in Europe.

From early November to just before December 25th, Manchester comes alive with chalets and entertainment. Hundreds of stalls are spread across multiple locations throughout the city center, and visitors can browse handmade gifts, crafts, and other festive finds.

There’s more to Manchester’s Christmas shopping scene than just the markets, though. From the popular Spinningfields to the independent stores in the Northern Quarter, the city has a lot to offer in the way of retail therapy.

If you want to take this Christmas shopping trip, you can book accommodation in Manchester here. My top pick for a place to stay is the Malmaison Manchester. I’ve stayed here and I like its buzzing atmosphere and central location. You can book your room here.

6. York

Also up north, York is another of the best cities for Christmas shopping in the UK. As an added bonus, it’s also one of the top places in Britain for picturesque streets and old-world atmosphere.

This city is beloved for its festive markets, of which there are many throughout the center. The annual York Christmas markets are great places to shop for gifts and decorations.

Beyond markets, York’s shops come alive with Christmas cheer. From the stores in the narrow Snickelways to the high street names in the squares, there’s something exciting around every corner. Whether you’re looking for decadent chocolate or Harry Potter souvenirs, you’ll find it here.

From Parliament Street and Coney Street to Coppergate and The Shambles, there’s no shortage of places to browse and buy gifts for friends and loved ones in this city. The Shambles Market is fun, too.

The city is also home to Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland, an annual experience featuring the north of England’s largest outdoor ice rink, a funfair, a Santa’s Grotto, an alpine cafe, and a boutique Christmas market.

It’s the perfect place to get into the seasonal spirit, and it takes place at York Designer Outlet, where there are more opportunities for Christmas shopping.

If you want to take this trip, you can book a place to stay in York here. My top pick for accommodation is the Guy Fawkes Inn.

With four-poster beds and windows offering views of York Minster, this notorious medieval criminal’s house-turned-secret-escape is hard to beat when it comes to atmosphere. You can book a room here.

7. Birmingham

In the Midlands, Birmingham is another of the best places for Christmas shopping in the UK. This bustling city has everything from Victorian arcades to malls and creative districts.

The real highlight here is the Birmingham Christmas markets. They take over the city center with their festive chalets each winter. There’s no shortage of places to browse for seasonal gifts as you take in the decorations.

If you’re looking for malls, the Bullring & Grand Central and The Square are just the spots. The Mailbox is home to Harvey Nichols, and if you want arcades, the eye-catching Great Western Arcade is hard to beat. The Jewellery Quarter is cool, too.

If you love independent shops, the Custard Factory is for you. Set in 15 acres of restored Victorian industrial space, this creative quarter is home to boutiques, bars, cafes, and restaurants.

If you want to go on this festive getaway, you can book a place to stay in Birmingham here. There’s a variety of accommodation in the city center, and my top pick is the Grand Hotel. It’s centrally located and the guest rooms are beautiful. You can book your room here.

British Christmas Shopping Map

Best Places for Christmas Shopping in the UK

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about the best places for shopping in the United Kingdom at Christmas and that you get a chance to visit them all someday. They’re fun spots to get your gifts and decorations this winter, not to mention see some of the country’s most beautiful cities and towns.

Wherever you go, I’m sure you’ll enjoy the seasonal spirit as much as you’ll have fun deciding what to buy for your friends and loved ones.

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