Shopping

The biggest indoor shopping and leisure centre in Europe, is MetroCentre in Gateshead, hosting hundreds of high street outlets, department stores and speciality shops in atmospheric themed areas. Newcastle has Eldon Square whilst in Sunderland the shopping experience is focused around The Bridges Shopping Centre, the retail heart of the city where bright and airy walkways are home to over 100 top name high street stores. On the streets of Sunderland city centre you'll also find independent shops and boutiques offering everything from designer labels to trendy interiors.

Metro Retail Park and surrounding area is also a flourishing area hosting international brands such as IKEA or ILVA for Scandinavian interiors, Toys R Us for every imaginable toy, plus the American wholesaler Costco for top quality - wholesale size!

A major shopping area in Newcastle city centre is Northumberland Street and Grainger Street, where there are often street performers to entertain the shoppers, or for more specialist stores, head to Grainger Town which is home to a number of designer fashion shops.

If you'd rather hunt down quirky, one-off independent stores, a clutch of the best are in the High Bridge area of Newcastle, where you'll find Skirt and superlative vintage store Attica, stocking everything from 1960s dresses to retro lamps. The best spot for jewellery is williamsonbrown in Jesmond, just a couple of minutes outside Newcastle city centre by Metro, who stock interesting designers at a range of prices, including Dower & Hall. Just up the street, Ophelia Lingerie in the Eden store has silky pieces by La Perla and Agent Provocateur. Also in Jesmond is the brand-new VV Rouleaux store, for gorgeous ribbons and trimmings, while Gosforth boasts one of the country's best organic food shops, the award-winning Out of this World.

The Royal Quays Outlet Village near the International Ferry Terminal in North Shields has bargains at amazing prices on many leading brand names in fashion, homeware and many more. With brands such as Bodyshop, Nike and Marks and Spencer it's difficult to resist.

South Tyneside is home to one of the most famous brands in the world, J Barbour and Sons Ltd - the jacket people! Barbour clothing has been made in the North East of England since 1894. Today the factory outlet offers the complete range from outdoor wear through to shirts, shoes, trousers and knitwear at discounted prices.

Shopping - Arts and Crafts
Shopping - Markets