The National Express guide to shopping (and getting there in style)

The National Express guide to shopping (and getting there in style)

London Fashion Week is just on the horizon but don’t panic, your wardrobe’s next big upgrade isn’t confined to the front row of a runway. At National Express, we believe fashion should be accessible, affordable, and best paired with a comfortable coach seat.

Here’s our highly curated guide to the UK’s best shopping destinations. We’ll get you there, whether you’re after luxury labels, vintage treasures, or simply somewhere to pretend you’re “just browsing.”

London: For when only the big names will do

Ah, London. Where designer boutiques sit smugly on Bond Street and Shoreditch thrift shops charge you more for second-hand denim than your gran paid for hers brand new.

From Harrods’ polished halls to Camden’s gloriously chaotic market stalls, London caters to every taste, budget, and tolerance for crowds. The only problem? Getting across the city without melting into a puddle on the Tube. Our tip: arrive by coach. You’ll land close enough to Oxford Street to start spending before your debit card has warmed up.

Manchester: Industrial chic meets actual chic

Manchester is the kind of city where a cotton mill can be converted into an art gallery, a cocktail bar, or (inevitably) a boutique selling minimalist trainers. The Northern Quarter is your go-to for vintage finds and indie designers, while the Trafford Centre offers enough shopping square footage to lose both your bearings and possibly a friend.

And yes, Manchester rain is legendary, but isn’t that just an excuse to buy another coat? We’ll drop you off without a hair out of place, so you can face the drizzle looking sharp.

Glasgow: Bold fashion for bold people

If your fashion philosophy is “more tartan, more sequins, more everything,” Glasgow is your city. Buchanan Street boasts all the big retailers, but the real gems hide in the West End, quirky boutiques, vintage shops, and concept stores that will happily sell you something you didn’t know you needed.

Glasgow is famously friendly too, so if you’re dithering between two pairs of boots, don’t be surprised if half the shop chimes in with advice. Take the coach up north, and arrive ready to shop, chat, and possibly acquire a new personality along with your new jacket.

Bath: Where shopping feels civilised

Bath doesn’t do chaos. It does elegance. This is Jane Austen country, after all. The streets are lined with Georgian architecture, perfect for a refined stroll between independent boutiques, galleries, and luxury stores. If you tire of shopping (unlikely), you can always claim you’re just there for the Roman Baths.

Think artisanal soaps, delicate jewellery, and clothes that whisper “understated sophistication.” We’ll get you there without the faff of parking in a historic city centre, leaving your hands free for bags of very tasteful purchases.

Leeds: Big energy, bigger bags

Leeds is where Yorkshire grit meets serious glamour. The Victoria Quarter and Trinity Leeds are packed with high street names and designer labels, while the Corn Exchange is your spot for indie flair and one-off finds.

It’s the kind of city where you can buy a statement coat and then wear it immediately to a rooftop bar without anyone batting an eyelid. And yes, our coaches are roomy enough to transport every last shopping bag back with you. You’re welcome.

Final word: Shop hard, travel easy

From London to Leeds, Manchester to Glasgow, and Bath for a touch of refinement, your fashion pilgrimage awaits. The real runway is the coach aisle (though we do ask you not to actually strut it). Wherever your style takes you, National Express is ready to deliver you to the shops in comfort, with room for every bag, box, and “it was in the sale” impulse buy.

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