England

London

Although London is one of the world's best shopping cities, it often seems made for wealthy visitors. To find real good values, you can either wait for sales or search out discount stores.

Northern Ireland

Belfast

Belfast is a surprisingly good place to shop. The centre, around Donegall Place, has a number of Victorian shopping arcades filled with gifts shops and jewellery stores. Good buys are to be had on Belleek china, linen and crystal from County Tyrone. A great place to start your spree is Craftworks Gallery, Bedford House, Bedford Street, a one-stop showcase and shop for the work of area craftspeople. The gallery can supply a free copy of the brochure "Crafts in Northern Ireland," detailing local crafts and where to find them. It is just behind Belfast City Hall. Or you could head to the excellent Wicker Man in the Donegall Arcade, which has a good stock of crafts. You'll find both Irish crafts and traditional Irish music at Cultúrlann MacAdam Ó Fiaich, 216 Falls Road.

Scotland

Edinburgh

Edinburgh doesn't have quite the shopping options that are available in Glasgow, but it has a combination of traditional department stores, such as the classic Jenners and newfangled boutiques. With the recent addition of the fashionista's favourite, Harvey Nichols, Edinburgh is challenging the more style-conscious city to the west. New Town's Princes Street is the main shopping artery in the Scottish capital, with leading department stores, whether the homegrown Jenners or the British staple, Marks & Spencer. But for the posher shops, such as Cruise or Laura Ashley, George Street tops the lot. For tourists, Old Town's Royal Mile can present the mother lode of Scottish souvenirs, whether it is tartan or trinkets.

Wales

Cardiff

Whether you're looking for gifts to take home, hunting for souvenirs, or just browsing, you'll like the shops of Cardiff. They are many and varied, ranging from a multiplicity of offerings in a modern shopping precinct, St. David's Centre – a stone's throw from the castle – to the stalls of a covered market.