With just four weeks to Christmas there has never been a better time to explore the numerous shopping destinations located across the UK, which are conveniently accessible via Ireland West Airport Knock’s suite of scheduled flights to the top shopping cities in the UK.
Derbyshire and Nottingham outlets
Travel from Ireland West Airport Knock to the UK’s East Midlands region with Ryanair (www.ryanair.com ) for as little as €10 one way including taxes and charges and you will not be disappointed, as the East Midlands has plenty to offer. Take a trip to the Nottingham Victoria Centre or the Shires Shopping Centre, or if it is a real Christmas bargain you are shopping for, head to Matlock in Derbyshire to the Peak Village factory outlet shopping centre which boasts over 26 factory outlets.
Glasgow
Glasgow has a shopping experience unlike anywhere else in the UK. From Buchanan Galleries for high street names, Princess Square for designer, boutique and high fashion stores, to Braehead, a massive out of town shopping complex and complete family entertainment centre with ice skating, to Silverburn - another massive shopping centre, Glasgow has it all from just €17.99 one way including taxes and charges with bmibaby.
Bristol’s malls and markets
Ryanair flights from Ireland West Airport Knock are also available to Bristol four times a week, making this an ideal weekend shopping destination. Once in Bristol start your Christmas shopping at the Cribbs Causeway, for an extra treat head to the Mall Galleries Shopping Centre which alone has over 100 stores. Surrounding it, you'll find over 300 other stores, including all the big department stores, a range of markets, and a host of quirky specialist stores catering to individual needs. Fly to Bristol or Liverpool with Ryanair from just €10 one way including taxes and charges.
Birmingham buzz
Unlock the secrets of Britain's second city and you soon discover the jewel in the English crown and this is true when it comes to shopping in Birmingham. Birmingham's Bullring, a landmark building, has over 160 of the most imaginative and desirable shops to explore - including Selfridges and Debenhams. The Mailbox contains a variety of lifestyle stores alongside its designer retail stores. It also features a wide variety of stylish restaurants and café bars. Bmibaby operates daily flights to Birmingham.
Liverpool
Ryanair’s brand new daily service to Liverpool from Ireland West Knock is good news for shoppers with energy. As European centre of culture in 2008 and with a reputation as one of the UK’s most energetic and diverse cities there’s plenty to satisfy avid shoppers. Not to be missed is St John’s Shopping centre: Liverpool’s largest shopping centre, located in the heart of the city centre. The new Met Quarter and Liverpool One (a new shopping and leisure district the size of 28 full-size football pitches with 160 new shops, cafes and restaurants overlooking Chavasse Park ) won’t disappoint.
Mancunian Meccas
When it comes to shopping for fashion, Manchester is hard to beat. Rub shoulders with the WAGs in the designer stores of Exchange Square and New Cathedral Street. At the Manchester Arndale Shopping Centre you will find a massive selection of shops. The Trafford Centre is an excellent place to shop with 280 stores, 38 restaurants, a 20-screen UCI cinema and excellent leisure facilities, you'd be hard pressed to find a more comprehensive shopping experience than at the Trafford Centre. With daily flights to Manchester with bmibaby (www.bmibaby.com ) from Ireland West Airport Knock, getting to this Christmas shopper’s paradise is hassle free and great value with fares as low as €17.99 one way including taxes and charges.
London – fashion capital
London is without doubt a must as a shopping destination and of course the famous Christmas lights will add something special to your Christmas preparations. All you have to do is take a short flight from Ireland West Knock, with daily flights to London Luton and Stansted it couldn’t be easier. Flights with Ryanair start from €20.18 one way including taxes and charges. London’s various shopping enclaves are the legendary Oxford Street for mainstream chain stores, Bond Street and Mayfair for luxury goods. But do not miss London's myriad alternatives either, such as Covent Garden Market.
For all your accommodation needs while you shop in the UK, log onto the airport’s website www.irelandwestairport.com and grab great hotel accommodation deals on online hotel booking partner booking.com
