Kent Shops & Shopping Centres

Bluewater Shopping Centre near Dartford

Bluewater opened its doors in 1999 and from the onset this retail come leisure entertainment mecca was a resounding success. Bluewater isn't just Europe's largest retail outlet, it's a combined leisure complex as well with acres of parkland and lakes on-site. Easily reached off the M25 at Junction 2 (A2/M2), just follow the signs for Bluewater, this mecca shopping centre is now also accessible for visitors from Europe with new Ebbsfleet Eurostar high speed railway station close by. Bluewater shopping complex sits at Greenhithe, mid-way between Dartford and Gravesend on the A2 London to Canterbury Road right near the Bean Interchange just a mile from the M25 at Junction 2.

The internal design of Bluewater caters well for different markets. Three main sections offer different thematic areas - Guildhall is chic high fashion and gourmet restaurants and cafes, Thames Walk is more high street fashion and cafe oriented whilst the Rose Gallery has a firm family focus with well known high street retail names.

A specialist service for the hire of wheelchairs and scooters is situated on Thames Walk, Tel. UK Mobility, Bluewater at 01322 427427. Check Bluewater's webguide for A to Z store listings. You've over 300 stores situated here, plus find the Bluewater cinema, a luxury multiplex Showcase cinema with Planet Smarties Birthday room, on the Thames Walk. Checkout the Bluewater Cinema Showcase programme via the webguide right.

• Dartford Hotels
• Bed and Breakfast in Dartford
• Hotels in Dartford

Canterbury Shopping

The Whitefriars area of Canterbury around Whitefriars Square and Street has got a revamp in recent times, with an emphasis on careful planning and new shops pulling Canterbury into modern shopping times. The newness of Whitefriars blends well with the older medieval Canterbury and careful planning has certainly paid off. Whitefriars central square bustles with activity and includes plenty of chic cafes and tasteful arcades includine Marlowe Arcade. Look to the Whitefriars webguide right to download a map of the latest highstreet retail outlets in the area including Zara, H&M and Top Shop. Conveniently adjacent is a huge multi storey car park with direct access into Marks & Spencer. Canterbury's bus station is also adjacent opposite St George's Lane.

The real edge to Canterbury shopping however is its specialist shop assortment and the superb co-operative styled Goods Shed. Find the best of Canterbury's specialist shopping around Westgate Towers and St Dunstans, as well as along the King's Mile. The King's Mile ranks as one of the UK's best specialist shop stroll, stretching along Palace Street and upto Northgate around Canterbury Cathedral. You'll find a choice of unique gift shops and antiques shops in historic buildings on the King's Mile. The Goods Shed (webguide right) sits near Canterbury West Station (a map is on their website). This extravaganza of local produce is seeing a great deal of success, and is served by numerous local farms around Canterbury. Everything from organic local vege and fruit to local wines is on sale here. Get there at the end of the day for some bartering.

Canterbury's specialist shop mecca, the King's Mile moves around the Cathedral along Palace Street upto Northgate. (see the King's Mile webguide right for map and specialist shop listings). Many of the unique King's Mile shops sit within atmospheric historic buildings. Independent retail choice in this area of Canterbury is a dream, with everything from hair and beauty, to antiques, cafes and one off fashion boutiques, to a selection of cafes and restaurants.

• Canterbury Hotels
• Canterbury Accommodation
• Bed and Breakfast in Canterbury

Rochester Specialist Shopping & Restaurants

Rochester is a Kent hotspot for specialist shopping and fine restaurants. Main hub is High Street where historic attractions, country inns, arts and crafts, antiques shops, fashion and accessories shops, bookshops and chic cafes all compel the eye. Rochester town centre is friendly and largely car free and ranks as one of the prettiest towns in Kent easily. Attractions and fine shops are all within easy walking distance, making Rochester a superb short break and holiday base.

Rochester is particularly good for antiques and collectables, quirky fashions including 'Rocket' on the High Street and the famous Baggins Book Bazarr also on the High Street. Baggins is England's largest secondhand/rare bookshop. Restaurant choice is excellent with an outstanding choice of English, Continental and Asian restaurants plus numerous cafes, tearooms and real ale atmospheric pubs. Note the famous Royal Victoria and Bull Hotel, a 400 year old coaching in on Rochester's High Street near the Guildhall. This inn got its 'Victoria' tag after a visit by Queen Victorian in 1836.

For a comprehensive listing of Rochester's many specialist shops, restaurants and inns see the Shopping/Eating Out Rochester weblink right. Vegetarians and alternative diets are well represented across the restaurant and cafe choice.

• Hotels in Rochester
• Bed and Breakfast Rochester Kent
• Rochester Hotels

Royal Tunbridge Wells Shopping Antiques The Pantiles

Main hubs for some of Kent's finest specialist shopping in Royal Tunbridge Wells are along the Pantiles near the Chalybeate Spring at the southern end of town. The Pantiles has a particularly good choice of antique shops, but you'll discover more antique shops (40 in all) across the town. Tunbridge Wells also has a number of antiques fairs through the year. For details check with the tourist information centre.

Also along the Pantiles colonnaded walkway discover a great choice of unique boutique clothing shops plus the main Pantiles shopping arcade in the Corn Exchange building. Push upto the old High Street and Chapel Place north of the Pantiles for more specialist shopping in shops retaining character Victorian frontage. The range of specialisms includes clothing, antiques, home furnishings, jewellery, gifts and more. Around Mount Pleasant and the Great Hall Shopping centre you'll find more of your traditional retail outlets, plus theatres and the Trinity Art and Theatre Centre. Right at the top of Mount Pleasant sits the Royal Victoria Place shopping centre, Tunbridge Wells' new popular undercover shopping centre.

• Tunbridge Wells Hotels
• Accommodation in Tunbridge Wells
• Guest Houses in Tunbridge Wells