**June 2022: Weekday Afternoon Visit**…read more What a wonderful shop with tons of Harry Potter Merch! There were many items from collaborations that I had not seen in the states so this was quite a treat to see so many products that I had not seen before. I purchased a canvas tote bag (it's a reprint of Harry Potter's "undesireable #1" feature in the paper) that I used daily on my UK adventures and had gotten compliments on it. There's also tons of stationery, books, jewelry, key chains etc and of course many items to represent all four houses. They play HP music and the decor is definitely on theme. Recommend you checking them out!

A magical shop in a true Muggle Diagon Alley in the middle of the Shambles in York…read more Because the shop is small, there is usually a queue that wraps around to get in. Fear not Harry Potter fans, it moves rather quickly. Inside you can find all Harry Potter gadgets and souvenirs of different sizes and kinds. Having just gone to the Warner Bros Studio Tours in London, I can attest to the variety of items sold in this inspired shop - many of which I didn't even see at the official store! This is a truly wicked must-stop shop!

York Designer Outlet McDonald's Indoor York…read more The York Designer Outlet is a large outlet mall, it's operated by McArthurGlen which is a familiar brand across Europe. It's set a couple of miles out of York City centre, it's served by multiple buses including the 415 Sapphire although on this occasion I travelled via car. The mall is fully indoors, it is over two floors with the upper level mainly consisting of places to eat including McDonald's, Five Guys, Wagamama and Pizza Express. For coffee, there is a Starbucks downstairs and a Pret upstairs, amongst a few other options. There is a good number of stores here, and few empty units. Brands with stores here include Adidas, Hugo Boss, Levi's, Nike, Marks and Spencer, Puma, Superdry, The Body Shop, UGG and others. The brands in question mainly sell out-of-season/fashion gear, I did find the prices still to be a little expensive for what should be an Outlet. I did find it a little confusing to get around the mall, especially with multiple entrances and exits, the construction of the mall is designed to force you to walk all the way around, and getting from one entrance or store to another looked so much easier on the map than it was in principle. I notice this has also been mentioned in other reviews, even going back 10 years, so it seems they haven't bothered to do anything to improve the experience in a while. There weren't any employees for the centre dotted around to ask for help either which made things worse. Good selection of brands to shop and dine at, although dining options here is predominantly fast food and coffee.

Excellent shopping experience- I would recommend it wholeheartedly- I visit (usually) once a week.read more

This place is absolutely amazing! The staff are super friendly, everything is eco friendly, and the…read moreatmosphere of the store is so peaceful. Great place to get gifts or buy stuff for yourself.

Shared Earth is a great place to buy gifts, although if I'm honest they don't stock much for your…read moreaverage guy. Everthing in the shop is ethical and environmentally friendly. They stock things like notebooks, photo albumns, cushions, throws, money boxes and re-useable shopping bags. They do a great range of jewellery and some fantastic wine glasses made from recycled glass bottles. Buy your gifts here and shop with a clear conscience. The staff are friendly and the shop has a relaxed, laid back atmosphere; they're used to people just browsing. It's not cheap, but not too dear either and you're paying for ethical goods.

Yorks best department store as far as I'm concerned!…read more I don't know if it's just me but wondering around the store, I can't help but get the feel that this place is a little old fashioned and I think that that is part of it's charm. The staff on each department are extreemly attentive and are quick to ask if you need any assistance whilst browsing! something that I would usually find quite irritating, but not in Browns as the approach isn't hard sell, it's just good old fashioned customer service. The make up counters are fantastic, and if you're looking to re stock your make up bag, then have a word with one of the cosmetic assistance as they are fully trained and can advise you of which products are for you

its a small department store, been going for as long as i've lived in york (15yr) so it can't be…read moredoing that baddly. fashion wise not much of interest for me, i would say its more for the mature generation. but i like a wonder through, and its not bad during the sales. and layout of the store is easy to navigate through. and the aisles are not narrow and cramped. oh if your looking for bra extenders etc there underwear section has all usefull little gadets (clothing related) that you might not find in other fashion stores in center of york the beauty counters are good though and the sisley and clarins counters staff are always pleasent and ready to help and advise on products, they also have a lancome, dior chanel, clinique and elizabeth arden can find some of the counter staff a little snooty, but thats fine by me as i just take my hard earned cash else where!

I spent just over five hours recently at Monks Cross retail park, with two friends, and between us…read morewe spent hundreds of pounds in the various retail outlets. I have just received £100 parking charge from the car park owner. It's my own fault, of course, as I failed to see the 4 hour maximum stay sign! It definitely won't happen again though, because I will shop elsewhere in future. What else do these GREEDY car park owners think we are doing in retail parks like this, other than spending money!!

Monks Cross is quite a good way to pass the afternoon if you can find a parking space - despite a…read morelarge number of parking spaces, it's generally packed to bursting point at the weekends. Shops include Next, BHS, Monsoon, HMV and Marks & Spencer. Supermarkets are Asda, Sainsbury and now Aldi. Food is available from Pizza Hut, McDonalds & Starbucks amongst others. Sainsbury and Asda also operate petrol stations. If you're after a bargain, check out TK Maxx or The Range just up Jockey Lane. There's also Polar Ford, Waterworld and a karting track in the vicinity.

This is the kind of shop you pop into for a browse, not really with the intention of buying…read moreanything, but come out with arms full of 'stuff'.. So make sure you get a basket on your way in! Poundland has a bit of everything, from babies bottles, batterys and bleach to pet supplies, party poppers and pens. My daughter always stocks up on pens, paper crayons and felt tips aswell as naughty treats as yes, this shop does sell lots of sweeties and goodies! Some of the household stuff, as in the varses/picture frames aren't of the bestest quality - but who cares? it costs a quid! good value in anyones book.

Poundland can be the source of some fantastic bargains, and this is one of the bigger and better…read moreones. It's quite spacious considering, and they stock a particularly good range of food and drink. Service is friendly and there are plenty of checkouts so it's fine even at busy times. However as is inevitably the way with pound shops, they never stock the thing you go in for; you always come out with something slightly different, or completely different. Also, be wary of the quality of some of their electrical goods, like headphones, some of which are utterly terrible. And don't get too caught up in the one pound is a bargain! mentality- you might find yourself paying a pound here for something which will only cost up 60p in Tesco But otherwise, it's great.

nice little boutque 50s chic glamour style clothing for women, has a range of handbags and…read moreaccessories. dresses, tops, skirts and trousers, but no jeans or casual wear! price wise its expensive! but the clothing seems well made, and even though its the 50s style, it still looks modern. and trendy! and some nice nighty styled dresses. underwear and swim wear. the handbags are really unusual, from leather, to sequined/beaded satin ones. i don't do accessories, but its the chunky type, colourful bangles, beaded necklaces etc

We were given 15 minutes to shop at the Tesco in York for alcohol. We went in and made our way to…read morethe aisle. I didn't have time to browse but the place was gigantic. I can see why they are one of the biggest grocery chains in the UK. The alcohol aisle boasted beers, spirits, and wines from different parts of the world. The prices seemed reasonable so I bought some canned mixed drinks since we weren't supposed to bring glass into the New Years Eve party in Edinburgh. The registers are plentiful and I wasn't carded. Granted the drinking age is 18, so there was nothing to worry about. Our tour manager later confessed that it was fun to watch us all scramble and that 15 minutes was an unreasonable amount of time for us to shop. Noted. Thanks a lot.

This Tesco store is generally well laid out. It has a reasonably sized clothing department upstairs…read morewhich has some great clothes at fantastic prices, particularly shoes and kids clothes. In the main part of the store, as well as the main food and drink aisles, there are departments for books and magazines, homeware, kitchen appliances and other electrical equipment and seasonal sales. If you can get in at the right time, you can pick up some good bargains, however, it takes a while to work out what the special times of the day are! Don't park in the carpark and go to the college as you'll be fined £75!

Pia is a shop that sells jewellery, watches and bags mainly. They have some lovely items-I've only…read morebeen in once and I bought a bracelet as a present for someone which they loved. It was nice quality and cost about £30 I think, which seemed about right for what it was. I don't think there was anything in there I would have really bought myself but I would go in again for gifts.

If you're in York, I recommend this shop if you're into journaling and crafting. Lots of blank…read moresketchbooks and journals, handmade paper and art supplies. I also picked up a calligraphy set as a gift. Such a lovely shop.

From the owner: Specialist paper shop, offering Italian, Nepalese, Indian & Japanese sheet paper, journals, photo…read morealbums, calligraphy supplies, lampshade making kits, paper pulp, origami papers, leather notebooks and many paper related gifts.