What is it?
When Brent Cross opened in March 1976, plenty of people thought an indoor mall would never catch on in Britain. Fifty years later, the UK’s first big enclosed shopping centre is still going, and north Londoners are as loyal as ever.
It’s not trying to be the flashiest mall in town, and that’s part of the appeal. John Lewis, Fenwick and M&S anchor things, with a dependable spread of high street names in between. It’s the kind of place you go when you need a new duvet, a pair of trainers and a birthday present for your mum in one trip, without trekking into the West End.
Big changes could be on the way, too. Plans to overhaul the centre, which could add up to 150 shops, 50 restaurants, a cinema and a hotel, were being finalised earlier this year. That's separate from the huge Brent Cross Town development going up next door.
Why go?
Because it makes shopping easy. Everything’s under one roof, it’s handy for the North Circular, and the parking is free, which is close to unheard of in London.
Don’t miss
John Lewis, still one of the main reasons people make the trip. It’s ideal for the bigger, more boring purchases, like homeware, tech and kids’ stuff, where you want to see things in person before you buy. If you fancy something a bit more designer, head to Fenwick at the other end of the mall.
When to visit
Weekday mornings, when the car parks are quiet and you can get round the shops without dodging prams. Avoid Saturday afternoons and the run-up to Christmas unless you thrive on chaos.
Time Out tip
Driving? There are more than 8,000 free spaces, plus EV charging points in the multi-storey. Film buffs might like to know that the Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies shot its remote-control BMW chase in one of the centre’s car parks. The smoke from filming was so convincing that worried shoppers called the fire brigade. Coming by train? Brent Cross on the Northern line is within walking distance, and the newer Brent Cross West station on the Thameslink is about 20 minutes away on foot.
