A tool lover's dream? A dedicated Parkside tool store in Hungary

If you’re into DIY, tools and getting the most bang for your buck, there’s a good chance you’ve already heard of Parkside tools.

For years, Parkside has been the brand that DIYers have loved spotting in Lidl stores. The famous middle aisle has delivered everything from drills and sanders to garden tools, hand tools and accessories, usually at prices that make you stop and think “how are they selling this for that?”

But what if we told you there’s somewhere you can go where Parkside isn’t just a small section in a supermarket?

A whole shop. Dedicated entirely to Parkside tools. And not only that, it’s an outlet store where the prices are already discounted.

Welcome to the Parkside store in Budapest, Hungary.

The one and only dedicated Parkside tool store

During our trip to Budapest we had to visit what is believed to be the only dedicated Parkside store anywhere in the world.

Rather than browsing a few shelves in Lidl, this is the full Parkside experience. Rows and rows of tools, accessories, clothing, gadgets and some items that you’d normally never see in UK Lidl stores.

The store is located at Premier Outlet Budapest in Biatorbágy, just outside Budapest. It makes sense as a location because it’s already a destination for bargain hunters looking for discounted brands, and Parkside fits perfectly into that idea. You’re not just getting Parkside prices, you’re getting Parkside at outlet prices too. We even spotted a few of the famous Lidl orange stickers on our way around the store.

That combination is what makes this place so interesting.

Parkside tools are already known for offering impressive value, but when you start applying outlet discounts, things get even more tempting.

But the store didn't have an outlet feel in many ways, no massive bins of thrown in discounted items - everything perfectly stacked and displayed impeccably gave a great premium tool store feel, just with the added bonus of the discount pricing.

Parkside prices in Hungary compared to the UK

One thing to remember when visiting Hungary is that the currency is the Hungarian Forint, not Pounds.

So naturally we were converting prices as we walked around to work out what everything would cost back home in the UK.

And that’s where things got interesting.

Parkside is already considered affordable in the UK, but some of the prices we found in Budapest were genuinely surprising. Seeing tools that are already budget-friendly reduced even further made it feel like a treasure hunt.

There were plenty of moments where we had to double check the price tag because it seemed almost too cheap.

The Viking Arm that really caught our eye

One of the most interesting finds in the store was something we honestly hadn’t seen before.

The Viking Arm.

If you haven’t come across one before, it’s a clever lifting and positioning tool designed to help raise, hold and adjust heavy items with precision. It’s the sort of tool that solves a very specific problem, but when you need one, nothing else quite does the job.

It’s popular with tradespeople and anyone working on jobs where accurate lifting and support is needed, such as fitting doors, windows, cabinets or heavy materials.

Finding one at the price we did was a real surprise. It was one of those tools where you instantly think “that’s actually really useful” rather than just another gadget filling up a toolbox.

Parkside clothing and merchandise on another level

One thing we didn’t expect was how much Parkside merchandise was available.

In the UK, you might occasionally spot Parkside clothing or accessories in Lidl, but the range can be limited and sizes or colours disappear quickly.

Inside the Budapest store, it was completely different.

There was a much wider selection of Parkside clothing, including things like boxers, workwear and branded items. The choice of colours and sizes was far better than anything we would normally see in UK stores.

Followers of our channel and content will know we are already fans of brand merchandise. For anyone who has become a bit of a Parkside fan, it was a bit like finding official merch for your favourite tool brand.

Parkside Performance tools make an appearance

Another exciting discovery was seeing some items from the Parkside Performance range.

For anyone unfamiliar with the difference, the standard Parkside range is aimed at giving DIYers excellent value tools for everyday jobs, while Parkside Performance is designed for people who want a little more power and more advanced features, but still without the big-brand premium price tags.

Performance models typically include upgrades such as brushless motors, improved efficiency and features aimed at more demanding users. They’re the tools aimed at people who use their equipment more regularly or push them harder.

The Performance range is something many UK Parkside fans are keen to see more of, so spotting these tools available in the store was definitely interesting.

Some seriously good tool bargains

There were loads of little gems around the shop that really stood out.

8-in-1 ratcheting spanner

One of the bargains that caught our attention was an 8-in-1 “dog bone” ratcheting spanner.

At around a fiver, it was a brilliant little tool. It’s unusual, practical and the kind of thing that earns its place in a toolbox because it saves space while covering multiple sizes.

It’s not always about buying the biggest or most expensive tools. Sometimes the clever little ones are the ones you reach for most often.

Stubby ratchet screwdriver

Another great find was the stubby ratchet screwdriver.

Again, around the five pound mark.

For that price, it’s a lot of tool. The compact design makes it ideal for working in awkward spaces where a standard screwdriver is just too long.

It’s exactly the sort of tool that makes you wonder why you didn’t already have one.

Laser level tape measures

We also found an incredible tape measure with a built-in laser level.

These were less than ten pounds each, which felt like crazy value.

It’s the kind of gadget that would normally be sitting in a specialist tool shop with a much higher price tag, so seeing them available for so little was a great surprise.

It wasn’t only Parkside though...

Something else we noticed was that the store wasn’t exclusively Parkside.

There were also other branded tools and products mixed in, including CAT merchandise and other tool-related items.

That actually made the store even more interesting because it wasn’t just a Parkside showroom, it was more like a bargain tool hunting destination.

More bargain finds

Some of the other things that caught our eye included:

• Hot glue guns for around £3 compared to around £10-15 in the UK
• A solar mole repeler, which we picked up because it works without harming the animals
• A solder cleaner for around £5
• VDE tools for electrical work

It was the variety that made the visit so enjoyable. You could walk in looking for one thing and leave with five completely unexpected bargains.

Organising your Parkside tools with Shadow Foam

Of course, once you start collecting Parkside tools, there’s one problem... where do you put them all?

A growing tool collection quickly turns into a messy toolbox unless you have a proper storage system.

That’s where Shadow Foam comes in:

Shadow Foam is a great way to create custom foam inserts for your toolboxes, drawers and storage cases. You can cut perfectly shaped spaces for your Parkside tools so everything has its own place, making your kit easier to find, easier to protect and much more satisfying to use.

Whether you’re building a collection of Parkside power tools, hand tools or accessories, a custom foam insert is a brilliant way to keep everything organised.

While in the store we even identified an item which could potentially become a great Shadowfoaming accessory. A nifty little Parkside tools depth measuring device, great for measuring the depth of blades in your workshop for example, but for us a neat little gadget that could well have a future in our ever expanding range of Shadow Foam essentials and accessories.

Would we visit the Parkside store again?

Absolutely. For anyone who enjoys tools, DIY bargains or just having a look at clever gadgets, the Parkside store in Budapest is a genuinely unique experience.

The combination of a dedicated Parkside shop, outlet pricing and a much wider range than you normally see in UK Lidl stores makes it a must-visit for tool fans.

Parkside has always been about giving people access to useful tools without paying premium prices. But finding those tools at even lower outlet prices? That’s a pretty exciting day out for any tool lover.

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