The multi-story Trafford Centre is the second largest shopping centre in the UK. Situated in the borough of Trafford, west of Manchester City Centre, it was built in an iconic baroque style that reflects the history of the local area. It’s home to many of the UK’s largest high-street names, along with a number of high-end designers and various leisure facilities.

Trafford Centre is an enormous shopping centre split across many distinctive areas. Europe’s largest food court, The Orient, sits in the middle, complete with a circular ceiling that’s been painted with blue sky and fluffy clouds. A sweeping marble staircase and humongous plant-laden chandelier dominate the Great Hall, which contains upmarket restaurants. Peel Avenue focuses on large department stores while Regent Crescent has smaller, more boutique-style shops. The Barton Square area mostly houses homeware stores while the complex’s 20-screen Odeon cinema is the busiest in the UK.

With its 12,500 car parking spaces, most visitors arrive at the Trafford Centre using their personal transport. There are two bus services from central Manchester to the shopping centre, both passing through Salford and Trafford on the route. Various bus operators run daily services to the Trafford Centre from towns across the north-west of England. There is no train or tram link as yet.

With its domes and columns, The Trafford Centre celebrates the design of a bygone era. Gold leaf adorns the ceiling and marble floors roam through most of the centre. While it may look like something from Italy, the design pays homage to local industry, with the red rose of Lancashire adorning many of the window panes and cornices.