Bicester Village has been named one of the most ‘Instagrammable’ shopping centres in the UK.

New research has revealed the most ‘Instagrammable’ shopping centres in the UK to visit for free this summer – with Bicester Village taking the silver medal.

Retail experts Zendbox conducted the research.

A spokesperson for Zendbox said: “Whether you’re a parent looking for a fun and cheap way to keep the kids busy this August, or you’re a social media pro looking for the perfect backdrop for your next post, these shopping centres are the places to go.

“The data concluded that Oxfordshire’s Bicester Village is the second most Instagrammable shopping centre in the UK, following Manchester’s Trafford Centre.

“Racking up 123,483 hashtags on Instagram, visitors of Bicester Village are clearly keen to showcase the designer outlet shopping centre known for its Scandi-inspired streets, almost reminiscent of a model village.”

According to the research, the top 10 most Instagrammable shopping centres within the UK are The Trafford Centre in Manchester, Bicester Village, Liverpool One, Meadowhall in Sheffield, Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth, Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet, Cheshire, Metrocentre in Newcastle, Westfield in London, Cabot Circus in Bristol and Bullring and Grand Central in Birmingham.

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Taking first place was the Trafford Centre in Manchester, renowned for its lavish design, with a high glass ceiling and palm trees scattered through the building.

Liverpool One took third place – known for a plethora of high street stores and restaurants alike, it’s a great place to snap a photo.

Zendbox CEO James Khoury said: “Shopping doesn’t necessarily have to be about spending.

“For many, visiting a shopping centre is all about the experience – window shopping in designer stores, exploring a new food court and enjoying the design of a particularly stunning shopping centre.

“Not to mention, it’s a great way to get your daily steps in.

“This summer, whilst the cost-of-living crisis is impacting us all, why not spend a cheap day out at some unique and picturesque shopping centres?

“Our ranking of the most Instagrammable shopping centres is perfect for parents looking to keep the kids busy during the half term, or Instagram users looking for the perfect shot.

“It’s great to see that the top shopping centres are scattered across the country, meaning that they shouldn’t be too far afield for anyone looking for an aesthetically pleasing day out.”

Bicester Village is the founding member of a collection of 11 global shopping destinations.

Sitting in the Oxfordshire countryside, it first opened its doors in 1995.

Since then, this pedestrianised, open-air setting has grown to include more than 160 boutiques lining the village’s beautifully landscaped streets.

 

Read more from this author

This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.

Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1

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