Bridgend Designer Outlet, or McArthur Glen, as some people still seem to know it, is a strange…read moreplace just off the M4 heading towards Bridgend. I remember when it first opened; it was very, very exciting. For the first time South Wales has a selection of designer outlet stores, ranging through everything. From Cadbury to M&S, from Revlon to Whittard, and from Cotton Traders to Animal. The choice was endless. Then the excitement soon wore off, when we realised that these were just normal high street stores with things either substandard or just a little bit cheaper. This is a collection of all that is unwanted from the other shops. That being said, you can pick up some really good bargains from this place, especially from Bookends and some of the sports and camping gear shops. This is a good place to come to if you're after functional items, but not really the kind of place which is going to wow you with its selection of wonderful boutiques. There is also a cinema and food court on site, so you can make a day of it (if there's really nothing better to do). This place getting heaving when it's raining outside.

This is outlet store is both fantastic and highly annoying at the same time. Firstly if your after…read moreanything outdoorsy then this is a fantastic place to come, there are loads of stores dedicated to walking, skying ect. If you are shopping for fashion I would say don't bother. There are the likes of Gap, CK where you can get some decent basics but not really your going out on Saturday night stuff. Gift shopping is pretty good here and I also seem to make a trip up at Christmas time. Its only 20 minutes from Cardiff so worth a trip and there's plenty of parking and open late for hassle free shopping. Its also has a large food court with KFC, Pizza Hut, Jacket Potatoes, Pies, a cafe and more.

There is a mixture of big name shops and market at the Rhiw…read moreThere is a huge Boots, Shoe Fayre and W H Smith A Greggs and Ferraries plus some cafes. The market has a really good butchers and a news agents. There is a multi story car park that leads right into the Rhiw with motability wheelchar rental on the third floor. Its not a huge shopping center but you walk through it to get to the main street and there is always something to stop and look at

Lots of shops packed into a rather small arcade. There is a large Boots store, a WHSmith, Greggs…read moreand a Game store to name just afew. The rhiw backs onto a multistory so parking is a doddle. There is also parking behind Wilkinsons, which is cheaper to park in but does mean an extra 1 minute walk :-) There is also a market ajoined to the Rhiw with all sorts of stalls including electronic store, sweets, cafes and butchers.

Wow! Can't believe how amazing people who work here are. Needed to find two obscure items, and both…read moretimes I asked, the folks who work here were immediately eager to help me out. Find anything from scones to iPhone usb cables here. One stop shop!

Great shop (Especially now as it has been refurbished), in a great location so it is easy to get…read moreto, parking can be a bit of a pain though. Major downside: inconsiderate people park along the shop entrance as they are too lazy to park up and block the zebra crossing, sometimes dangerous if you have small children like me.

I still remember the buzz when this place opened years ago. It basically offers high street brands…read moreat cheaper prices and there are bargains to be had throughout. It's an aesthetically pleasing, modern building with the shops partially covered by what look like massive tents above. There's a large, sometimes supervised play area here aswell in one corner (for up to 12 years old). It's not just shopping here though. There's a nine screen Odeon cinema and a large food court with Mcdonalds, KFC, Pizza Hut, Costa Coffee, Starbucks and others aswell as another children's play area. It's a great spot popular with adults and teenagers alike and you can easily kill a couple of hours wandering round everywhere. As well as clothes shops, it's also got sports shops, music shops, mobile phone shops and pretty much everything you could want. All at affordable prices too.

If you like shopping in Next, you will love this clearance shop, with its heavily discounted…read moremerchandise. When I called in I was able to snap up a T Shirt at £3 which was a pretty good buy. They also had a good range of bags, shoes, and toiletry products. I was pleased to find that they had lots of summer stock available, so it's a good place to visit if wanting to replenish your wardrobe before going on your hols. They also had children's and menswear. What I particularly liked for an outlet shop was the fact that you could obtain a refund or exchange at any of their normal stores!

This petrol station is a bit awkward to access as it forms part of a one way system with the main…read moresupermarket. You need to go into the supermarket car park, turn around and then go into the petrol station on the way out. After all that effort, I find the staff to be a bit curt and it's not a petrol station I would choose to use unless I'm desperate

A bewildering (to me at least!) array of brightly coloured accessories for teenage girls. I went in…read morethere yesterday to buy some Christmas presents and was spoilt for choice. Fortunately the staff are very helpful and ready to advise on the best gifts to buy for particular age groups. The shop is crammed full of jewellery, make up, socks, scarves, hair slides, brushes and hair pieces, bags of all kinds and so much more! It can get very busy and crowded - I actually went back half an hour later as I couldn't get near to what I was trying to look at; the second time was easier.

This outlet branch of Claires accessories is located in the easy to find Mcarther Glen shopping…read morecentre just off the M4. It has plenty of close free parking. If you have a daughter who loves Claires then this one is worth a visit. It follows the same style as most of the others, It is very small in size which can make it cramped, it sells all the same bits and bobs and has all the same price tags. However when you get to the till you will find a huge 30% off everything you have bought. Dont get me wrong some of the stuff works out expensive even with the 30% off but if you are going to have to buy these things anyway you might as well make the saving.

Great for a bargain, I have shopped here several times. There are always amazing reductions on…read moreshoes and boots of all kinds. It can be quite crowded but there are stools where you can sit to try the shoes on. Right in the centre of the pedestrianised area near the shopping mall so easy to find.

From the owner: Shoe Zone is the UK's leading value footwear retailer. We love nothing better than helping our…read morecustomers find exactly the right shoes, and always at affordable prices. Our huge selection of shoes for all the family means that whatever the occasion, whatever the outfit, you're sure to find something you'll love.

I still have not quite recovered from purchasing two stunning pairs of GAP jeans for £7.99 each!…read moreEven the cashier took a double take when ringing them through. This store has amazing discounts on high quality products, I also bought a cotton shirt and cardigan both 30% cheaper than would have been the case in their non-outlet stores. Aside from jeans and tops, this branch of GAP stocked dresses, skirts, and a small range of underwear, whilst for men there was a large selection of sweatshirts hoodies etc... I'm not normally a great fan of outlet stores but after my jeans, bargain I'm hooked!

Gap is quite expensive but you can get some real bargains here in the clearance section. Gap kids…read moresection is great and has some very cute clothes for both boys and girls. Gap is great for essentials!