The woman's guide to UK shopping cities

Every girl loves a bargain and shopping around the internet for the best deal on woman's car insurance is one way to discover some of the best savings available. Here at CoverGirl, for example, we always fly the "30% sale" banners in our windows since so many of our customers find that a cheap car insurance quote from us comes in that much less than their current premium.

However, we know that shopping on the net for woman's car insurance isn't the most scintillating thing you could be doing. You probably want some of the real thing - getting out there on the high street, seeking out that perfect dress to add to your wardrobe.

Bored of the drab shops in your local town and looking for that perfect shopping paradise? Well, we've compiled a list of the top shopping cities in the UK, and whether you shop till you drop or just browse and soak up the atmosphere, you'll find the right city for you:

London

London is world famous for its shopping and offers probably the best shopping experience of any city in the UK.

From the boutiques of Bond Street to the teeming Oxford Street fashion stores and vibrant street markets, there is something to suit every taste, age and budget. Pick up the perfect gift from fine food store Fortnum & Mason or while away a morning in the world famous halls of Harrods. No visit would be complete without a trip to Harvey Nichols, the perfect spot for an afternoon of shopping, eating and celebrity spotting.

Edinburgh

Few cities make an impression on you like Edinburgh. Scotland's capital is without doubt one of the most beautiful and elegant cities in Europe, and when it comes to serious retail therapy, Edinburgh has it covered.

From stylish and chic to ethnic and hand-crafted, you can always find just what you're looking for, be it gift, memento or something strictly functional. When you're ready to unwind after a long day on your feet, sink into one of the sofas in the Opal Lounge with a cocktail in your hand. Supposedly the hang out of royalty and celebrity alike, this is definitely the place to see and be seen.

Bristol

Probably not the first place you think of as a shopping destination, Bristol is a vibrant and exciting city, overflowing with intriguing, traditional and occasionally off-the-wall things to do and see. Its harbourside location lined with attractions, boats, restaurants and museums makes it great for a day out (or even weekend away). But what really makes it special is its energy, the mix of historic and new, and having been designated a European Centre of Culture, the city continues to celebrate in style with a year round calendar of events and festivals.

You'll find some of the best shopping in Britain on the cobbled streets of Bristol, with high street stores, markets and an incredible range of independent shops, galleries, boutiques and antiques.

Nottingham

Nottingham is one of the UK's top three shopping centres, with 1330 outlets to choose from, from Nottingham's very own Paul Smith to all your high street favourites. It has five major department stores, four covered shopping centres, as well as an incredible array of unique niche retailers and top fashion names - drawing over two million regular shoppers!

We love Nottingham because it's compact and easy to get around, making it a great place to visit throughout the year. During the summer, you can people watch outside one of the city's many pavement cafes. In winter, there are covered malls to keep you warm and dry!

Newcastle

Shopping in Newcastle is an experience not to be missed! You'll find everything from high street names, big name department stores, and unique boutiques. Shopping malls and small bazaars. Here are some of our favourite places to visit:

Eldon Square - Britain's largest city shopping centre with over 140 shops!

Monument Mall - Newcastle's latest Mall with a wide range of shops, restaurants and cafes

Northumberland Street - The Oxford Street of the North, this is the main and most popular shopping street in Newcastle

Metro Centre - One of Europe's biggest shopping centres with 360 shops over three miles of attractive tree lined mall

Manchester

Manchester is one of the most vibrant and dynamic cities in the UK. Across the Greater Manchester region, you'll find a wide variety of things to see, do and experience whether for shopping, eating out, cultural pursuits, outdoor activities or anything in-between.

Manchester offers it all; independent boutiques, designer outlets, exclusive departments stores, in town and out of town shopping centres, or traditional and speciality markets. The Trafford Centre is an enormous shopping and leisure complex, dubbed the 'Temple of Consumerism'. Although it contains all the major high street department stores and chains, it is much more than a shopping centre. It's a gigantic dinning hall - 'The Orient' has innumerable fast food franchises and restaurants, in a dramatically theatrical ocean liner setting with swimming pool and performance stage.

Brighton

Like the city itself, shopping in cosmopolitan Brighton is a truly original experience. From the romantic charm of The Lanes and the exuberance of North Laine to the modern Churchill Square, the stylish indoor shopping mall in the city centre, Brighton is a place where anything goes.

A vibrant mix of high-street stores and small specialist shops selling a dazzling array of the exotic, the familiar or the weird and wonderful. Alongside your favourite brand and designer names, you'll unearth antique jewellery, kites, tribal textiles and hand-made crafts. And a whole lot more.

Cardiff

One of Europe's youngest capital cities, Cardiff has got it covered when it comes to shopping. Large, glossy department stores and all the major chains alternate with chic little fashion outlets, small independent delicatessens and chocolate shops. A trip to one of the numerous quirky outlets selling 200 different sorts of buttons or 60 kinds of tobacco is a must.

The city centre has been built with the pedestrian in mind and features many large malls. Another feature of Cardiff is the array of Victorian shopping arcades tucked in between the commercial developments. Cardiff's main shopping street runs east to west through the heart of the city's retail area, allowing easy, traffic-free access to what is widely acknowledged as one of the best shopping areas in Europe.

Glasgow

Glasgow boasts great all-round shopping, with everything from high street chains to exclusive chic boutiques.

Wander down the pedestrian shopping zones on Sauchiehall Street , Buchanan Street and Argyll Street, or the covered malls like Buchanan Galleries and the St Enoch Centre. Exclusivity is the theme of Princes Square, with its glass-roofed airy ambience, while the nearby Italian Centre is another parade of top fashion and designer labels. In between lies the Merchant City, trading on its solid reputation for innovative retailing, while its bars and cafes earn its reputation as the city's 'Left Bank'. At the other end of the shopping scale, the Barras offers the flea-market experience, with the chance of a bargain always at the next stall.

Leeds

Leeds is the fastest growing city in Europe and also one of the best places to shop. Quite simply, there is no other city in the north of England quite like Leeds for shopping. All of the shops and shopping areas and gathered in a walkable, well-pedestrianised area making shopping in Leeds a laid back experience. Leeds has an abundance of designer labels, high fashion boutiques and major department stores, including Harvey Nichols.

And getting back to woman's car insurance.

Although it may well be your fantasy to shop in every single one of these cities, it probably isn't too convenient right this moment. However, CoverGirl Car Insurance Services can offer you an alternative that might just satisfy the worst of those shopping cravings.

You can get a woman's car insurance policy with us for a lot less than with many other insurers. This is because we specialise in ladies' car insurance (although you can have a man as a named driver on your policy) and we cut out all unnecessary costs, such as TV advertising and huge call centres.

By choosing one of our low cost female driver insurance policies, you may well even have saved enough money on your motor insurance that you can treat yourself to a fabulous shopping spree in one of our favourite cities. What could be better?

At CoverGirl we know there is nothing worse than bad customer service when you are shopping. This is why we make it as easy as possible for you to get your woman's car insurance with us - it only takes a matter of seconds to get an online motor insurance quote.

To get woman's car insurance at bargain prices, just click the quote button.