Hidden car park at Giltbrook IKEA that almost nobody knows about

Driving around a retail park trying to find a parking space is no one's idea of fun. But one of Nottinghamshire's out of town shopping complexes has a ‘secret’ car park that few people know about.

On the one hand, I’m reluctant to share but then I do sympathise with every motorist in the frustrating position of driving up and down trying to find a space at Giltbrook Retail Park, the home of TK Maxx, M&S, Decathlon and Frankie and Benny’s.

Then there's IKEA. A trip to IKEA is a popular pursuit in search of reasonably priced furniture, homewares, and of course, the famous meatballs with lingonberry sauce. But it's so much sweeter when you can park close to the store - in fact you can park on top of the store.

The overflow car park, as it is known, is on the roof of IKEA - and you really wouldn't know it's there by simply looking up at the shop as it's well hidden.

There's no need to battle the main car park to gain access to the little known parking zone. Simple drive down Nottingham Road and turn off at the traffic lights onto Giltway. Go straight on, around the roundabout, and past the industrial units and Carole's Snack Bar, until you come to the ramped entrance on the left with a 2.1m height barrier.

There are around 100 spaces including spots for disabled motorists. A lift will take you down to the pavement right next to the store entrance.

Another bonus is the size of the lift. It's so big that shoppers can take a trolley load of flatpack furniture back to their car easily without having to move it to specially designated spaces for loading near the exit.