How many of us have broken our New Year’s resolutions already? Whether we pledged to lose weight, live greener or fit in a little more ‘me’ time, the chances are those promises are already waning - which is no surprise given the gloomy weather doing its best to dampen our spirits. If you’re in need of a little something to cheer you up on a cold January day, why not head for the shops? After all, a little treat now and then is a sure-fire way to kick-start those resolutions! What’s more, travel by train and your journey will be both stress-free and traffic-free.

With a wide range of top shopping destinations all within easy reach of rail stations, simply hop on the train and you could be indulging in a spot of retail therapy in no time. Save before you shop by taking advantage of the great value rail fares available, as well as some top offers to make your journey even more affordable.

As Europe’s biggest in-town shopping and leisure destination, London’s Westfield offers a truly exceptional shopping experience. With over 265 stores, plus an incredible array of restaurants and cafes, this award-winning centre is the ultimate place to shop ‘til you well and truly drop! Travelling to Westfield couldn’t be simpler, with a choice of nearby tube stations all easily reached from London’s major rail stations – and with low fares such as Brigton or Hastings to London Victoria from just £3 one way with Southern, you can leave the big spending for all those stores! For even more great value, why not make it a day out in London with family or friends? With GroupSave, three or four people can travel for the price of two!

While in London, don’t forget to check out the massive choice of 2FOR1 offers available when you travel by train, giving you discounts on everything from restaurants and hotels to some of the capital’s best attractions.

Situated in the heart of Britain’s second city, the Birmingham Bullring is an exciting and vibrant centre featuring a vast array of big-name brands, including Selfridges and Debenhams. And when you’re all shopped out, you can take a break while you grab a bite in one of the Bullring’s 25 restaurants. Get the train to Birmingham and you can enjoy fantastically low fares from a wide range of stations. Travel from Rugby from just £6.00 return, Worcester from £7.40 return and Leicester from only £10 return - meaning you’ll have plenty left over for your day of shopping indulgence! Use our Cheapest Fare Finder to find the best fare for your journey.

If you’re a designer diva without the celeb budget, head to one of the McArthur Glen Designer Villages. At their Bridgend outlet, you’ll find over 90 well-known designer stores all offering their luxury labels for less. Catch the train to nearby Bridgend Station for as little as £3.60 return from Newport and £5.10 return from Swansea. Savvy savers travelling a longer distance can bag even more bargains by booking in advance. For more high-end fashion at a fraction of the price, McArthur Glen’s outlets at Ashford, Swindon and Cheshire Oaks are all easily reachable by train too.

With fashion brands galore - not to mention a host of top homeware stores - Manchester’s Trafford Centre is a paradise for shoppers eager to pick up some fabulous purchases. Your money could go even further if you travel by train – make it a shopping trip for two and take advantage of Northern Rail’s Duo tickets, which gives you one return ticket, plus a second half price when two adults travel together. A return trip from Southport to Manchester for two costs just £14.20 with a Northern Duo ticket – that’s a saving of almost £5 on the normal ticket price!