Kent has a wonderful diversity of shopping centres, from Europe’s
largest indoor shopping centre at Bluewater, the main towns & cities
of the county, & even some smaller centres which offer something
special. We haven’t included the retail parks that appear outside of
most large towns, as they’re all fairly uniform and need little mention.
We hope, however, the lists below will give you a general overview
of shopping in Kent, but as always if there is something you think
we have missed, please feel free to CONTACT US, & we’ll be happy
to correct it!
largest indoor shopping centre at Bluewater, the main towns & cities
of the county, & even some smaller centres which offer something
special. We haven’t included the retail parks that appear outside of
most large towns, as they’re all fairly uniform and need little mention.
We hope, however, the lists below will give you a general overview
of shopping in Kent, but as always if there is something you think
we have missed, please feel free to CONTACT US, & we’ll be happy
to correct it!
Overview: It may not be the most glamorous of town centres in Kent, but Sittingbourne has a good
mix of the usual high street retailers, and some interesting independent shops. It is centred mostly along
the one main street - the old Roman ‘Watling Street’ - and being such a historic route makes the buildings
as interesting as the shops. Try looking up above the line of shops, and you’ll see a range of architectural
styles going back to Tudor times. For a more modern look, the Forum Shopping Centre offers a pleasant
sheltered area.
Undercover: Sittingbourne’s main undercover area is the Forum Shopping Centre, although there are a
couple of small arcades along the High Street.
Parking: There is plenty of parking, either at the Forum, or in the other car parks near around Central
Avenue, and its generally cheaper than most Kent towns.
Attractions/Facilities: The Swallows Leisure Centre offers sports and a nice swimming pool, within an
easy walk of the High Street. It also often has events in the large hall. There is a weekly market - held
each Friday on the Forum car park. The impressive bronze statue that sits in the heart of the High Street,
called The Jolly Bargeman, is there to remind shoppers that Sittingbourne was once famous for making the
barges which carried the locally produced bricks up to London.
mix of the usual high street retailers, and some interesting independent shops. It is centred mostly along
the one main street -
styles going back to Tudor times. For a more modern look, the Forum Shopping Centre offers a pleasant
sheltered area.
Undercover: Sittingbourne’s main undercover area is the Forum Shopping Centre, although there are a
couple of small arcades along the High Street.
Parking: There is plenty of parking, either at the Forum, or in the other car parks near around Central
Avenue, and its generally cheaper than most Kent towns.
Attractions/Facilities: The Swallows Leisure Centre offers sports and a nice swimming pool, within an
easy walk of the High Street. It also often has events in the large hall. There is a weekly market -
called The Jolly Bargeman, is there to remind shoppers that Sittingbourne was once famous for making the
barges which carried the locally produced bricks up to London.
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Broadstairs: The quaint seaside town doesn’t have a huge number of shops, but remains a popular and
welcoming resort. The main High Street, and narrow winding streets close to the seafront, have a number
of interesting and unusual independent shops, and is a pleasant place to explore.
Hythe: The long ancient High Street is restricted to traffic, making it a delightful place to wander and
discover the many small independent shops that reside there. There is a heavy emphasis on antiques, but
there are plenty of other tastes catered for. The historic Malt House at the Dymchurch end of the High
Street houses an indoor antiques, crafts, and bric-a brac type market every Friday and Saturday.
Faversham: With a market every Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday, Faversham remains a popular place
to shop, despite its lack of many major retailers. The historic streets head of in all directions from the old
Market Place, with the photogenic Guildhall building in the centre.
Swanley: The ‘modern’ shopping centre is now beginning to look a bit dated, but still offers plenty of the
main high street retailers around the pedestrianised area. The weekly market is thriving, and is better than
many town centre offerings.
welcoming resort. The main High Street, and narrow winding streets close to the seafront, have a number
of interesting and unusual independent shops, and is a pleasant place to explore.
Hythe: The long ancient High Street is restricted to traffic, making it a delightful place to wander and
discover the many small independent shops that reside there. There is a heavy emphasis on antiques, but
there are plenty of other tastes catered for. The historic Malt House at the Dymchurch end of the High
Street houses an indoor antiques, crafts, and bric-
Faversham: With a market every Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday, Faversham remains a popular place
to shop, despite its lack of many major retailers. The historic streets head of in all directions from the old
Market Place, with the photogenic Guildhall building in the centre.
Swanley: The ‘modern’ shopping centre is now beginning to look a bit dated, but still offers plenty of the
main high street retailers around the pedestrianised area. The weekly market is thriving, and is better than
many town centre offerings.
London: Top of many peoples lists for favourite shopping destinations, the centre of London could keep
you busy for a week with its wonderful diversity of stores. Oxford Street and Regent Street offer all the
big names (often several times over), plus signature store like Hamleys and Selfridges. For the really posh
end of the market, head to Knightsbridge, where the glitterati frequent Harrods and a succession of top
designer stores. More interesting perhaps are the smaller independent shops around Carnaby Street, and
the ever popular Covent Garden with the lively undercover market.
Lakeside: The vast indoor shopping complex just the other side of the Dartford Crossing used to be the
place to head for... until Bluewater was built. It’s still impressive and popular, but at busy times the extra
hassle of the crossing can mean it’s easier just to stick to Kent’s own Bluewater.
Rye: A couple of miles into Sussex is the picturesque and historic town of Rye. Nestled on top of a hill,
the towns narrow medieval streets are lined with a wealth of enticing small shops, which lend themselves
perfectly to a leisurely exploration. The lack of large high street chains is a refreshing change, and no
doubt the reason it’s such a popular destination.
Across the Channel: Still a popular day out, a shopping trip across to France can be many things. From
the traditional ‘booze cruise’ to stock up your drinks cabinet, to a chance to sample the delights of the
French produce markets and local patisseries. If you’re taking the car, try heading half an hour out of the
ports to St Omer or Le Touquet, where you’ll get a far more authentic French ambience.
you busy for a week with its wonderful diversity of stores. Oxford Street and Regent Street offer all the
big names (often several times over), plus signature store like Hamleys and Selfridges. For the really posh
end of the market, head to Knightsbridge, where the glitterati frequent Harrods and a succession of top
designer stores. More interesting perhaps are the smaller independent shops around Carnaby Street, and
the ever popular Covent Garden with the lively undercover market.
Lakeside: The vast indoor shopping complex just the other side of the Dartford Crossing used to be the
place to head for... until Bluewater was built. It’s still impressive and popular, but at busy times the extra
hassle of the crossing can mean it’s easier just to stick to Kent’s own Bluewater.
Rye: A couple of miles into Sussex is the picturesque and historic town of Rye. Nestled on top of a hill,
the towns narrow medieval streets are lined with a wealth of enticing small shops, which lend themselves
perfectly to a leisurely exploration. The lack of large high street chains is a refreshing change, and no
doubt the reason it’s such a popular destination.
Across the Channel: Still a popular day out, a shopping trip across to France can be many things. From
the traditional ‘booze cruise’ to stock up your drinks cabinet, to a chance to sample the delights of the
French produce markets and local patisseries. If you’re taking the car, try heading half an hour out of the
ports to St Omer or Le Touquet, where you’ll get a far more authentic French ambience.
List of Shopping Centres in Kent
Shopping in Folkestone
Details of Shopping in Dover
Details of Shopping in Thanet
Details of Shopping in Canterbury
Details of Shopping in Sittingbourne
Details of Shopping at Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre
Details of Shopping in Chatham Town Centre
Details of Shopping at Chatham Maritime
Details of Shopping in Rochester
Details of shopping in Gravesend
Details of shopping in Dartford
Details of shopping at Bluewater
Details of shopping in Dartford
Details of Shopping in Maidstone
Details of shopping in Sevenoaks
Details of shopping in Tonbridge
Details of shopping in Tunbridge Wells
Details of shopping in Tenterden
Details of shopping in Ashford
Shopping trips to France from Kent
