SHOP ‘TIL YOU DROP

CUMBRIA AND THE LAKE DISTRICT IS OVERFLOWING WITH A RANGE OF QUIRKY AND INDEPENDENT STORES TO SUIT EVERY TASTE

If you enjoy a good old-fashioned splurge, Cumbria and the Lake District have a shed-load of shopping options for you to dive into. Vibrant boutiques, mammoth shopping centres and independent makers are strewn all over the county. Whether you’re in the market for a memento, grocery essentials, or something special you can’t find anywhere else, Cumbria stocks the goods. And then some.

For an all-day shopping experience filled with retailers little and large, these shopaholic-friendly Cumbrian towns (and the county’s only city!) will more than fill your basket. Carlisle is the only city in Cumbria and, as you might expect, many major stores can be found among its bustling pavements.

The Lanes Shopping Centre alone offers more than 60 shops under one roof. Fashion, beauty and electronics stores abound, plus a gaggle of cafés so you don’t have to worry about lunch. Family-friendly events pop up in the centre throughout the year and it’s also home to the city’s main library.

Covered Markets

Besides this beast of a complex, Carlisle has four major retail parks on its fringes. Swing by for household name superstores like Argos, Matalan and B&Q. Or, for a traditional taste of the city’s retail history, seek out Carlisle’s Grade 2-listed Market Hall for plentiful food stalls and indie outlets. It’s one of the last remaining covered markets in the country and, after a rootle around the retailers, the Victorian architecture is just the icing on the cake.

North of the city, Houghton Hall Garden Centre is so much more than, well, a garden centre. Spread over three levels, it squeezes in a restaurant, gift shop, café and clothing store in addition to the gardening goods you might expect. There’s even a craft shop and miniatures museum in the basement!

Meanwhile, southwest of Carlisle, a garden centre rival exists in the form of Dobbies. Here, the surprise perks are the great food hall and play area for young visitors to stretch their legs.

When in Windermere it’s impossible to miss two key shops: Booths and Lakeland. Booths supermarket is a must for discerning grocery shoppers. Alongside the store’s upmarket groceries, there’s a pleasant café and you’ll find many pop by just for a taste of their coffee and cakes. An outstanding exception to the smaller artisan shops in Windermere is the flagship Lakeland store. Coming in at a whopping 12,000sq ft in size, it sells just about anything you could ever need for your home and garden.

It can be difficult for first-time visitors to determine where the border lies between Windermere and Bownesson-Windermere. Over time the two towns have merged into one settlement, yet each retains its own main shopping streets.

Bowness-on-Windermere offers slightly more variety, with locally-born businesses scattered along the high street. The vibrant thoroughfare winds all the way to the shores of Lake Windermere, where cafés await overlooking the water.

Love the Lakes and Herdy are both top-notch gift shops, packed with locally-produced items. Bowness-onWindermere is also renowned for its specialist stores. Outdoor shops like Trespass, Mountain Warehouse and Stuart’s Sports are on hand to kit out even the most adventurous of visitors.

A major hub of activity in the south of Cumbria is Barrowin-Furness. Here, you’ll find national retailers peppered along pedestrianised Dalton Road, as well as the open-air Portland Walk Shopping Centre.

British 20th century & contemporary art

One of the leading commercial galleries in the UK

Barrow Indoor Market is slap bang in the town centre and brings together 55 independent traders under one roof. In fact, it’s one of the largest indoor markets in Cumbria and the goods on offer range from Cumbrian food specialists to local florists.

A short walk away, Hindpool Retail Park is four retail parks joined together to offer a dizzying 6,000 square feet of shops, leisure facilities and ample parking. Expect big-name brands like Next, B&M, Halfords and Currys. Alternatively, if you prefer to spend your pennies with the locals, nip to Cavendish Street and Scott Street for indie outlets and an unfailingly friendly welcome.

FASHION & HOMEWARE

Penrith New Squares shopping centre includes a major supermarket and, handily for exploring the town, a multi-storey car park with free parking for up to three hours. There are a few high-street brands to browse, but it’s the selection of fashion and homeware boutiques that lends Penrith its retail identity. The Lion Gallery in particular is great for gifts, while Hedgehog Bookshop is friendly, family-run and a fantastic place for a browse.

Just outside of town, Rheged is a heritage centre-slashart gallery-slash-shopping outlet with a carefully curated range of products from Cumbrian-born-and-bred suppliers. After browsing the free art exhibits or catching a film on the giant 18-metre cinema screen, pick up a treat in one of the on-site shops. Sustainable clothing, stylish ceramics and organic wines will attract the adults, while the kids have their very own toy shop to entice them inside.

The coastal town of Workington is West Cumbria’s main shopping area. Washington Square is at the epicentre and the award-winning, pedestrian-friendly zone contains almost 60 shops across the retail spectrum. Fashion and electronics are well-represented, with a smattering of cafés for a mid-splurge snack. Dunmail Park Shopping Centre, just over a mile north of town, provides a large supermarket and multiplex cinema in addition to major stores.

Smothered in fertile farmland and beloved by creatives, Cumbria’s retail landscape goes beyond the mainstream. Aside from lively high streets and shopping centres, you have your pick of irresistible boutiques, gift shops and farmers’ markets. At each, local talent sits pride of place.

Purchasing a Cumbrian-made present is about more than supporting the local economy – it’s a chance to take home a souvenir you’ll treasure for years to come. Galleries and artist’s studios provide unrivalled insight into Cumbria’s creative heartland.

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The Market Hall in Carlisle is one of the few remaining Victorian covered markets in the country. First opened to the public in 1889 the Market has a long history yet still offers an important service to shoppers in the city centre.

Located in the city's Historic Quarter, visitors are enthralled by the building’s Victorian architecture and its colourful history. They also find themselves within walking distance of Carlisle's beautiful Cathedral, its imposing Castle and the fascinating Tullie House Museum.

The Market Hall is conveniently located in the pedestrianised city centre with a bus stop on its door step, a train station within walking distance and car parks nearby. Home to many of the city centre small businesses the Covered Market is a melting pot of traditional and modern retailers brimming with an eclectic mix of quality goods and services.

Visitors can enjoy a leisurely stroll around the Covered Market finding something of interest around every corner. In summer the Market has a light and airy feel and in winter the traditional globe lighting adds a welcoming ambience to the mall. Whatever the season this Aladdin’s cave of retail gems has a friendly atmosphere and a sense of community among the traders who offer customers a very personal service.

The Market also has several cafes and takeaway food outlets, public toilets and disability facilities. T.K. Maxx and Wilko, the Centre's anchor stores, add to this amazing retail offer giving visitors a unique and enjoyable shopping experience under one giant roof.

Visit The Market Hall and enjoy a thoroughly memorable day out. Shop, eat, relax and repeat the experience again and again.