BoujeeKidsThe full-price store is not your only option. Designer outlet villages across the UK stock the same considered kids brands at 30 to 70% off, year-round. Done right, you leave with Bonpoint, Ralph Lauren, and Caramel at prices that make the trip worth it. Done wrong, you spend a Saturday driving and come home with nothing worth having.
We have visited all the major UK outlet villages with children in tow. What follows is our honest ranking, not a press trip, not a sponsored itinerary.
1. Bicester Village, Oxfordshire, The Benchmark
Bicester Village is the most complete considered shopping experience available at outlet prices in the UK. The children’s offer has improved significantly since 2022. You will find Bonpoint, Caramel Baby & Child, Ralph Lauren Kids, Joules, and Petit Bateau with consistent discounts of 30 to 60% on current and previous season stock.
The Bonpoint boutique here is genuinely worth the visit. Smocked dresses, heritage knitwear, and occasion pieces regularly appear at 40 to 50% below full price. If you are buying for a special occasion or want something that photographs beautifully, this is where to start.
Practical notes: Arrive before 10am on weekends, the village fills up quickly. The car park is free but large and confusing on your first visit. The village is stroller-friendly throughout, with good baby facilities near the main entrance. Allow three to four hours minimum for a proper children’s fashion sweep.
Best for: Occasion wear, French and British heritage brands, heirloom-quality pieces.
2. McArthurGlen Designer Outlets, Multiple Locations
McArthurGlen operates eight outlets across the UK, with the strongest children’s fashion offer at Cheshire Oaks (near Chester) and Designer Outlet Swindon. The brand mix varies considerably by location, Cheshire Oaks has the depth to make a dedicated trip worthwhile, while smaller McArthurGlen sites are best combined with another reason to be in the area.
Cheshire Oaks typically carries BOSS Junior, Levi’s Kids, Tommy Hilfiger Kids, and Joules at 30 to 50% reductions. It is not the Bonpoint-and-Caramel circuit that Bicester offers, but for smart casual and branded childrenswear it punches above its weight. The footwear selection, particularly Clarks and occasional New Balance Kids lines, is consistently good value.
Best for: Branded casual and smart-casual, footwear, sports brands.
3. Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth
Gunwharf Quays is not an outlet village in the same tier as Bicester, but its proximity to the South Coast and its improving children’s offer make it worth including. Ralph Lauren Kids and Joules are the standout names. The waterfront setting makes it a pleasant afternoon even if the shopping is secondary. Better for toddler outerwear and basics than for occasion pieces.
4. Clarks Village, Street, Somerset
Clarks Village has a narrower brand selection than the premium outlets above, but it remains one of the best destinations in the UK specifically for children’s footwear. Clarks, Start-rite, and occasional UGG Kids stock appear here at genuine reductions. If you are buying school shoes, first walkers, or wellies, this trip pays for itself.
How to Get the Most from a UK Outlet Visit
- Go off-peak. Midweek in term time is the best experience by far. Weekends in July and December are crowded to the point of being unpleasant with small children.
- Know your sizes in advance. Outlet stock is often limited to whatever sizes remain. Go with measurements, not guesses.
- Check the outlet app before you go. Bicester Village and McArthurGlen both have apps showing which brands are currently in stock and any additional promotions running.
- Set a budget and stick to it. The “it’s on sale” logic is seductive. A £90 Bonpoint dress at 40% off is still £54. Have a number in mind before you arrive.
- Combine with end-of-season sales. Outlet discounts stack on top of end-of-season reductions in January and July. These windows offer the deepest savings.
Are UK Outlet Villages Worth It?
For luxury children’s brands, yes, unambiguously. The savings on Bonpoint, Caramel, and Ralph Lauren at Bicester Village are real and consistent. You are not buying factory seconds or last year’s rejected stock; you are buying previous-season pieces, overstocked current lines, and occasionally end-of-line items at prices the high street never offers.
The economics work especially well for occasion pieces, outerwear, and anything that holds up visually across multiple seasons. A £160 Caramel smocked dress for £80 remains beautiful at four and at seven. That is the argument for outlet shopping with a clear head and a specific list.
[bk_outlet_signup]