Bluewater is a big shopping centre located in the village of Greenhithe, Kent, which is actually 1 mile from junction 2 of the M25. A word of warning here, the road signs to this place are sparse. I am generally quite good at reading road signs but coming over the Dartford Bridge the signs are few and far between. Fortunately my friends and I had been before so no problems there then but the first time I came to Bluewater I did get lost. To make it easier you get off the M25 at Junction 2 (just after the Dartford Bridge) and follow the signs to Canterbury. A few miles down the dual carriageway you will sign posted to leave the dual carriageway and Bluewater is there on your left. The web site www.bluewater.co.uk informs me that the centre is well sign posted – take it from me it isn’t so check it out on a map before you go. Right now where to park.
Well there are hundreds of car parks and entrances and exits to Bluewater and as the shopping centre is triangular in shape you can’t really
get lost as long as you know where you started. We parked near the Marks and Spencer entrance and all the car parks have lettered rows so we were in row E. Dead easy to find your car when laden down with bags and all the car parks are free and plentiful – Bluewater have literally thousands of spaces and I have never heard of anyone being unable to find a space. All the car parks have disabled bays and children’s bays so you are not restricted to just one car park if you have a disability or children to tow around.
First impressions are that this place is huge. It is set out in a triangular shape so I really would recommend going right around one level first then when you get back to where you started go and do the other level. If not you will miss lots of the shops. On every corner of the triangle there is one big shop and these are Marks & Spencer, John Lewis and House of Fraser. I am not going to go into each individual shop as the review is about Bluewater as a whole but it’s suffice to say that these three main shops are huge. The three sides of the triangle are named Rose Gallery, Guild Hall and Thames Walk which is all very nice but fairly pointless in my eyes as unless you look at a map you won’t have a clue which ‘road’ you are on. Saying that paper maps and big wall maps are plentiful so you will always know roughly where you are in relation to the shops you wish to visit.
As you walk around the centre there are shops for almost every budget. There are the usual H Samuel, New Look, Select, Barratts, Top Shop etc. These are intermingled with Karen Millen, French Connection, Coast, Hobbs, Mango and Whistles. House of Fraser sells all the designer clothes and make-up and perfumes and there are lots of individual shops that also sell designer wear and perfume and make up. For all you Lush fans there is a lovely shop that you smell before you see it so you can’t miss it.
Now this is not a cheap place to shop. The costs are the usual high street prices but in my high street there is certainly no Karen Millen or Russell & Bromley. Therefore I found myself looking longingly a pair of kitten heeled mules through the window of Russell & Bromley. A quick swifty at the price tag (£249) I popped those back and headed off to Dolcis. As I said prices for every budget.
The range of shops (over 350) is varied and literally something for every price range can be found here. This is perfect for me as it’s only an hour away and everything is under one roof. I am going to a wedding next weekend and have come home with a French Connection dress, new shoes, a new handbag, new wrap, some lush lip balm, some benetint and some CDs. I would defy anyone to go to Bluewater and not find an outfit for any occasion that is within their price range.
Toilets are plentiful and were all clean with plenty of soap and toilet paper, there are plenty of cash machines all dotted around and lockers that you can hire for a nominal sum (which would come in handy with all the shopping you can do.) There are coffee shops everywhere and restaurants and cafes so you can stop for a snack.
We chose to have lunch on the Rose Gallery side at the Wintergarden, as there is a separate walkway full of restaurants and fast food places with a communal eating area. You can choose from Italian, Indian, McDonalds, Kentucky, Harry Ramsden, Pizza Hut, Jacket Potatoes, Salads, Baguettes and you just choose where to sit. We chose to eat outside as it was dry and ate lunch next to the lake. This is very peaceful and serene and a total contrast to the mayhem that a large shopping centre can’t help but deliver. There are plenty of tables and chairs both inside and out and there are plenty of people clearing and wiping the tables so to find a dirty table is rare. Bluewater also have two restaurants that overlook the lakes but these are quite expensive and would be for a proper 3-course meal rather than a quick jacket potato.
There is also a creche, parent and child rooms and even a quiet room – but I didn’t experience any of these so I am afraid I can’t comment. Several Concierge Services centres are dotted around the shopping centre and these apparently can escort you to your car (wonder if they carry the bags?) and can help with directions etc. You can also purchase Bluewater Shopping vouchers from them, which would make a brilliant gift as they can be used in any shop within the centre.
I have been here a few times and didn’t realise until today that there is more to Bluewater than simply shopping. According to the leaflet I picked up you can hire a bike and ride around the grounds, which are just over 50 acres. Go to their multi plex cinema. Or where we ate our lunch by the lake you can hire boats and pedalos and there are 6 other lakes you can either fish in or float on. There is a Landrover Adventure Zone, a Timberland Discovery Trail, a climbing wall and they also offer Golf Pro Tour Putting. That’s if you have the energy after walking miles and miles around the shops.
I love this place (its easy to get to when you know how,) is only an hour away and has all the shops you could ever want (and a few you might not) all under 1 roof so you won’t get wet or need to put your coat on and off as you come out of the shops. The whole centre is non-smoking although there are numerous exits where you can escape for a fag. It’s air-conditioned and I didn’t see a scrap of litter when I was there.
Opening Times
Monday to Friday – 10.00am – 9.00pm Saturday – 9.00am – 8.00pm Sunday – 11.00am – 5.00pm However the centre does recommend that you clarify each individual shops opening hours if necessary.
They have a web site www.bluewater.co.uk where you can go on virtual shopping tours and even plan and print off your day so you don’t miss anything.
Anyway I am off to try on all my new purchases and tot up my credit cards receipts. This is brilliant and I would recommend it to anyone. Thanks for reading.
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I am currently working on a project for the BBC and am looking to speak to people that use and love Bluewater.
If you think that you fit the bill, please email me at jennifer.forde@bbc.co.uk
I look forward to hearing from you,
Best wishes,
Jennifer.
jessie_vio 10.01.2006 11:06
Good review!
bubblegum_princess 13.07.2004 16:28
I love Bluewater, it really is the best shopping centre around! It's so light and airy you never feel claustrophobic and it has all the best shops!
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Advantages: Great range, fresh ingredients, always trying new combinations Disadvantages: Some can be slightly pricey, and it can sometimes be rather busy
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