Kent has become a popular vacation destination for a whole host of different reasons. It is known as ‘the Garden of England’ and thus its beauty is one of the main attractions. However, men – sorry to break it to you, but Kent is also a shopper’s paradise. If you are looking for a weekend’s shopping vacation, Kent certainly comes highly recommended. One of the best things about shopping in Kent is the fact that there is such diversity on offer and therefore you are bound to find the type of stores you enjoy shopping in. From unique boutique stores, to big brands, to designer bargains, to shabby-chic antiques; there is definitely an array of shops for you to choose from.
Of course Kent has a wealth of big shopping malls as you would expect. There is only one place to begin when it comes to shopping centres and that is Bluewater. This is the biggest indoor shopping centre in the whole of Europe. People travel to Kent merely to visit this shopping centre alone. It boasts a wealth of shops and facilities, including a cinema and plenty of restaurants. The modern centre has all of the following; Topshop, John Lewis, M&S, Ted Baker, Jack Wills, Lego, Nike, House of Fraser, Apple and much, much more. Aside from Bluewater, other shopping centres in Kent are as follows; Ashford Town Centre and Outlet, Westwood Cross, Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre and Chatham Dockyard Factory Outlet.
Nonetheless, many people would argue that you can find shopping centres all over the country, and this is true. However, there is so much more to shopping in Kent than this. One of the best things about the county is that it is filled to the brim with lots of culture-filled and vibrant cities, towns and villages. These in turn boast some of the most unique shopping experiences because of their independent stores and antique shops. Canterbury is undoubtedly one of the main attractions in this sense. You can walk across the medieval cobbled streets and delight in all of the wonderful shops that are on offer. In addition to this, there is also The Pantiles situated in Royal Tunbridge Wells. This is a must-visit for anyone who is looking to pick up some antiques. Rochester’s Victorian High Street is another popular spot, as well as Hythe, Faversham, Whitstable, Tenterden and Broadstairs.
There is clearly a wealth of different shopping opportunities for anyone who is looking to pick up a bargain or two whilst they are in Kent. Nonetheless, if you are going on vacation as a family, don’t worry. For those men and children who don’t want to spend the whole day looking around the shops, they don’t have to. Kent is filled to the brim with an array of fantastic attractions. You could take the children to one of the fantastic parks in the area. Alternatively, why not find a cosy spot to eat and enjoy some lunch. Dad can have a few pints whilst the children are kept busy with their ice cream. Everyone is happy!