Bluewater - Not Just a Shopping Centre! (Bluewater)

Member Name: dyllymoo

Product:	Bluewater
Date:	09/10/08 (524 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great shops, resturants, and other activities

Disadvantages: None

Bluewater Shopping Centre is Europe's largest and most innovative retail and leisure destination and is located near Dartford in Kent. It opened on 16 March 1999. Bluewater successfully combines retail and leisure to offer a day out destination.

Extensive customer research went into the design of the centre and it resulted in a triangular design to make shopping easier (i.e. if you get lost, you can just carry on walking and eventually find your destination!). Each corner of the triangle houses a major department store - John Lewis, Marks & Spencer and House of Fraser. These corners are connected by three distinct "shopping malls" - The Guild Hall, The Rose Gallery and The Thames Walk.

The Guild Hall offers carefully selected classic high fashion retail, together with lifestyle stores and gourmet restaurants and cafes. Examples of shops/restaurants in this area include: Laura Ashley, The White Company, Coast, Loch Flynne and Pizza Express.

The Rose Gallery is family focussed with major high street retailers e.g.: Dorothy Perkins, Miss Selfridge, Game and The Perfume Shop.

The Thames Walk offers high street fashions, cafes and entertainment e.g. Showcase Cinema, Next, New Look, French Connection and Coffee Republic.

Bluewater's striking architecture and innovative retail design sets it apart from other shopping destinations. Situated in a stunning location among towering 50 meter high cliffs, Bluewater is surrounded by a tranquil landscape of lakes, parkland and trees.

Bluewater has won many awards including In Style Magazine Best Shopping Centre 2004 and 2005, Best Shopping Centre at the Tommy's Parent Friendly Awards 2004 and 2005, Retail Destination of the Year 2003 and many many more.

**Restaurants and Cafes**

There are over 40 restaurants, cafes and places to eat at Bluewater. These range from TGI Fridays, Santa Fe, Nandos and Pizza Express to KFC, Burger King and McDonalds. There are also a lot of cafes for you to stop and grab a quick coffee and a rest, including Costa Coffee, Coffee Republic and Starbucks. And for those of you with a sweet tooth there is a Krispy Kreme, Millies Cookies and lots of other stores for treats.

**Things To Do (other than shopping!)**

Bluewater does feel more than just a shopping destination. There are lots of things to do that include the whole family.

** Cinema**

Bluewater has a luxurious Showcase 12-screen multiplex Cinema located in the Water Circus. It shows all the latest blockbusters and you can even save money by booking "Bargain Matinees" before 5pm.

**Treejumpers Sky Park**

Located just outside the Winter Garden there is a great adventure waiting to be had by adults and children alike. You can fly across the lake at 30mph or climb the tiered aerial trek with balance beams, bridges, tight-ropes and cargo nets. There is also something called a "Drop and Shop" session for children aged 7 and up for you to drop them off for 2 hours so that you can shop, and they can have fun!

**Big Blue Rock Climbing**

Anyone from the age of 6 years old can climb the 36ft climbing wall in the yellow welcome hall (just off Thames Walk). It is open every day and is a great adventure!

**Bikes and Boats**

You could explore one of Bluewater's six lakes! They have 2 and 5 seater pedaloes and traditional rowing boats. They are open every weekend. Prices start at £8 per half hour.

If boats and water aren't your thing, you could always hire a bike to explore the 50 acres surrounding Bluewater. There are a huge variety of bikes including tandems, family four-wheelers and even pedal power go karts for the children.

**Wild Explorer Discovery Trail**

There is even a discovery trail walk around the grounds of Bluewater. It is in association with Howletts & Port Lympne Animal Parks, unfortunately (or fortunately!) there aren't any tigers hiding in the bushes!

**My View**

As you can tell Bluewater is more than just a shopping centre. There is so much to see and do, and not only that it's a pleasant place to be.

Not only are there a fantastic range of shops, equaling Oxford Street and Regent Street in London, but it's a lovely environment.

I live around 10 minutes away from Bluewater and I can honestly say going there doesn't fill me with dread, like some shopping centres do. Especially around Christmas time, when you worry its going to be hell on earth. Of course its busy, but its an enjoyable busy, and the Christmas decorations are spectacular.

I never thought I would say this about a shopping centre, but its actually a great place for all of the family.

http://www.bluewater.co.uk/

Summary: A fantastic place for all the family!