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.

Well if it's bags or cases your after, Bags Galore is the place to go! The shop stocks a large…read morerange of shoulder bags at reasonable prices as well as an even larger range of suitcases. The prices are cheaper than you would expect to pay in a non outlet store e.g. there was a really good hard shell case reduced from £100 to £49.50 Bags galore also stock a large selection of flight bags with styles to suit everyones taste. I fell in love with a beautiful leather holdall which was reduced from £215 to £149 - perhaps I can ask for it as a birthday present! They also had a good variety of briefcases with prices ranging from £40 to £80.

This a Cadbury factory outlet shop in Bridgend which is a bit of a warehouse of chocolate deals…read more The shop itself is fairly sparse, with concrete flooring and metal cages and shelves to keep the pre-bagged bars and hefty bags of misshapes. As I may have mentioned before, I personally prefer that chocolate shops have some kind of quaint or luxurious experience to go along with them. Something unique that makes you forget that you're just buying fat, sugar and roasted beans. This shop unfortunately has none of that. Very rarely will I ever buy anything from here because the myth surrounding it has been stripped away. Sad, because it could all be so tasty. However, my brother is a real fan of this shop. So maybe it's a boy thing. If you fancy cheap bags of chocolate castoff, this is the place for you. But I prefer the Thornton's outlet; it still has some dignity.

I do know what Tanya means, this shop does lack character. But if you're a chocoholic like me, it's…read morea great way too get your favourite goodies, at a discounted price! As a promotional offer they were selling World Cup Bags for £5 containing Jaffa cakes, chocolate fingers, and assorted chocolates -I managed to resist! being a popcorn fan I did buy a few bags of cinema style popcorn, as these were far cheaper than you could buy elsewhere. There were lots of treat size bars of chocolate available as well as large bags of misshapen chocolates at low prices!

Lots of shoes available at very decent prices. Never have any trouble finding shoes i like for any…read moreoccasion be it sports, work or casual. Staff are also always available to help and prices are very fair. It is also a very clean and well kept store.

Clarks is a large store right up the top of the outlet. Often have BOGOF offers on. Always very…read morebusy and messy in here. Staff are not as helpful as they could be. Shoes are more for the older people in here.

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!

Pep and co is all my friend wears its rewind within a week and the material isn't even good quality…read moreshe made as well wear a bin bag! Overall great canned chicken.

A new branch recently opened in the town on the site of the old Woolworth store. Quite useful for…read moreinexpensive items of all kinds. I had a browse round yesterday as the one in Neath closed some time ago. There is a wide range of things on offer, from toys and kitchen items to DVDs and stationery. I like some of the gardening supplies as well. It's quite amazing that everything is £1 and you never know what you might find!

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!