SE3 London: Shopping centres or other indoor options

[wigwamham]

I'm taking my dc to SE3 for an all day event this weekend, and need somewhere warm for me to hang out for several hours. A big shopping centre would tick the box, or a welcoming library/cafe. I will have a car. Where would you go?

Is that near Greenwich? You could go to the museums there (Maritime or the observatory) or go to the O2 or nip over the river on the dlr to the shopping centre at Canary Wharf.

SE3 is Blackheath which is a lovely part of London (one of the nicest)

Walk through Greenwich park stop off at the planetarium walk down through the park (amazing views) there is the maritime museum then can walk round to the DLR and go to Canary Wharf

Leave your car somewhere you can park it all day or you will spend ages sitting in traffic

There's an IKEA in Greenwich

If you have a car Bluewater is an easy drive. Canary Wharf is nice, but fewer shops so less to do. Lewisham is probably the closest, again small but Ok if you just want to sit in a cafe.

or there’s Bromley, more of a typical town centre.

LEWISHAM shopping centre would be the most closest and make the most sense

Lewisham shopping centre is nearby, yes, but really no great shakes as a place to spend time. I'd stick to Blackheath and Greenwich, personally. There are lots of places in both to sit and have coffee/get brunch or snacks. Blackheath has some interesting shops. Greenwich is more touristy, but has a couple of clothes/crafts type markets, one of which is indoors. Greenwich Park is one of my favourite places. If the weather's not too bad, you could have a lovely walk there and enjoy the views. Museums, as others have said. There's a Picturehouse in Greenwich too. I must say the idea of sitting in a nice warm cinema on my own watching something no one else in the family would like does appeal.

Blackheath is a beautiful little village, lots of small shops, delis etc, plenty of cafes/restaurants. Gail’s is lovely for coffee/cake/sandwiches etc. If you want something more substantial there is an Ivy Cafe, Franco Manca, or Cote. For pub lunches, The Crown or Princess of Wales overlooking the Heath. If you’re not planing to eat, I’m not sure you could kill several hours there though - maybe 2-3 at a stretch. Lewisham shopping centre is a bit run down but ticks the boxes for warm. Not great for shops, there is an M&S, Primark, TK Maxx and lots of sports shops!

Bluewater is the biggest ‘nice’ shopping centre, takes about 20 mins to drive. I’d not drive into Greenwich these days, the traffic is a disaster and parking non existent.

If you just want to mooch about and kill some time Canary Wharf has a decent shopping centre underground. Lewisham is shit for shopping.

If you just want a nice cafe, Blackheath or Greenwich has loads of options.

I wouldn't risk venturing as far as Bluewater. Any problems on the A2 you could be stuck getting back. Whatever you do, I'd park for the day at Blackheath and take public transport. You can get a bus down to Lewisham. Agree Greenwich is a good idea. If it's fine you can walk across the heath and through the Park, or there are buses. There's a covered market at Greenwich, as well as the (free) Maritime Museum. From Cutty Sark station you can also hop on the DLR to Canary Wharf and the (free) Museum of Docklands at West India Quay.

I am local to there. You can park for free in St John’s park at the Vanbrugh terrace end. There is a quiet library in the standard shopping area which is a 5-10 mins walk - you could sit in and a nice Italian cafe opposite the library. Or you could also walk through Greenwich park via the flower garden - down the hill, and go to the maritime museum or Naval college. A lovely old pub in Greenwich is the plume of feathers - quieter as it is off the main drag.

I live in the area, and def wouldn’t recommend going to an IKEA / shopping centre / driving to Bluewater or Bromley! They’re all the kinds of places you can get anywhere.
as previous posters said, Greenwich and Blackheath are lovely places to hang out in. Greenwich Market is your best bet, with lots of nice cafes and pubs nearby.
away from the touristy bits, but only 10 min from the centre, I’d recommend Royal Teas cafe or Richard 1st on Royal Hill.

No it’s not the nicest place to shop but who wants to travel all the way down the bluewater on their own I’m guessing the op wanted to stay local not drive all the way to bluewater even Bromley is far, if you just want to kill a few hours then Lewisham is fine, has shops and coffee shops to chill out for a bit.