New research has revealed the most ‘Instagrammable’ shopping centres in the UK to visit for free this summer - with Liverpool One taking the bronze medal.

With the cost of living crisis impacting us all, there’s never been a better time to make the most of free days out that may be sitting right on our doorsteps. That’s why retail experts at Zendbox have conducted research to rank the most Insta-worthy shopping centres in the country.

Whether you’re a parent looking for a fun and cheap way to keep the kids busy this August, or you’re a social media pro looking for the perfect backdrop for your next post, these shopping centres are the places to go.

The data concluded that Liverpool One is the third most Instagrammable shopping centre in the UK, following Manchester’s Trafford Centre who took the top spot.

Racking up 100,228 hashtags on Instagram, Liverpool One visitors are clearly keen to showcase the shopping centre’s plethora of high street stores and restaurants alike; it’s a fantastic place to snap a photo mid-shop.

The top 10 most Instagrammable shopping centres within the UK are:

1. The Trafford Centre, Manchester: 138,379 hashtags
2. Bicester Village, Bicester: 123,483 hashtags
3. Liverpool One, Liverpool: 100,228 hashtags
4. Meadowhall, Sheffield: 82,829 hashtags
5. Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth: 55,412 hashtags
6. Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet, Cheshire: 51,793 hashtags
7. Metrocentre, Newcastle: 49,350 hashtags
8. Westfield London, London: 37,773 hashtags
9. Cabot Circus, Bristol: 29,561 hashtags
10. Bullring & Grand Central, Birmingham: 28,892 hashtags

Taking first place was the Trafford Centre in Manchester, renowned for its lavish design, with a high glass ceiling and palm trees scattered through the building, so it’s no wonder that it snatched the crown. Taking second place is Oxfordshire’s Bicester Village, a designer outlet shopping centre known for its Scandi-inspired streets reminiscent of a model village.

Commenting on the findings CEO of Zendbox, James Khoury, said: “Shopping doesn’t necessarily have to be about spending. For many, visiting a shopping centre is all about the experience: window shopping in designer stores, exploring a new food court and enjoying the design of a particularly stunning shopping centre. Not to mention, it’s a great way to get your daily steps in!”

“This summer, whilst the cost of living crisis is impacting us all, why not spend a cheap day out at some unique and picturesque shopping centres? Our ranking of the most ‘Instagrammable’ shopping centres is perfect for parents looking to keep the kids busy during the half term, or Instagram users looking for the perfect shot.”

“It’s great to see that the top shopping centres are scattered across the country, meaning that they shouldn’t be too far afield for anyone looking for an aesthetically pleasing day out.”

These findings have been released by Zendbox to rank the most ‘Instagrammable’ shopping centres in the UK to visit this summer.