With its infamous sporting history and intrinsic reputation for football, Wembley wouldn’t necessarily be your first port of call for dining, drinking, shopping and culture, but with the area’s development over the last few years -not to mention the introduction of the Wembley Art Trail - you’d be mistaken. Wembley Park no longer just encompasses the legendary stadium, but a whole district buzzing with activity, from the London Designer Outlet - home to dozens of favourite brands with huge savings - to the vibrant BoxPark, a sister to the Shoreditch and Croydon locations bringing the signature energy to HA9.
The journey starts the moment you step out of the tube station; the Wembley Park Art Trail is a free trail consisting of 14 pieces in a variety of mediums, from the Bobby Moore Bridge tile mural, a Wembley stalwart since its installation in 1993, to the Tilia Tree Totems, the result of a series of wood-carving workshops delivered by artist Stephen Stockbridge in 2018 and produced using up cycled trunks from trees removed during the regeneration works of Olympic Way (since replanted). There’s a handy guide to the art trail on the website, as it weaves its way through the area and takes in everything from photography and doodles to sculpture.
If Christmas shopping is high on your agenda (and at this time of year we’d be surprised if it wasn’t…) then there’s nowhere better to pick up a bargain gift idea than the London Designer Outlet. With dozens of favourite brand names at up to 70% off, you’ll find fashion brands including Nike, Adidas, Dune, Nicce, Next, Superdry and The North Face, not to mention plenty of stockings fillers from the likes of Claire’s, The Body Shop and Yankee candle. We couldn’t resist a nosy at the likes of Villeroy & Boch, ProCook and Zwilling, all well worth a visit if you’re in need of new home items as the brilliant discounts bring these top end brands back to affordable prices.
Of course it’s not just about shopping, the area has some serious competition when it comes to where to eat; whether you’re making a day of it or grabbing a bite before a gig or game, you won’t be disappointed. Well loved favourites include Wagamama, Zizzi and Las Iguanas within the London Designer Outlet, with plenty more on the way up to the doors. We had a brilliant dinner at Pasta Remoli, a brilliant mix and match choose your own past joint with a choice of pastas, sauces and cheeses to create your perfect dish. We know. Dream dinner, right?
For a finale to your day out however, you can’t beat BoxPark. With its buzzing bar, vibrant events programme of music, DJs, comedy and dancing, and banging street food line up (we’re itching to try the Brazilian Ipanema Barbecue and Longboys artisan doughnuts…) it’s a one stop party shop.
