To ask where to go Christmas shopping in Kent?

[Fudgingit85]

Friend and I usually have a day in London too but presents, see all the lights etc. We’d love to try somewhere different - somewhere that has a lovely Christmassy feel and maybe some different/independent shops that you don’t find everywhere else.

I was wondering about Tunbridge Wells - would that fit the bill? And if so, where exactly (I don’t know that area at all). Or somewhere else?

Tunbridge Wells felt a bit flat shopping wise when we went recently

Oh no, how come?
Anywhere else?

Canterbury is nice, and you can visit the Cathedral for even more Christmas spirit. 👍

Ooh that’s a good suggestion. Where exactly in Canterbury should I head for (I’ll be driving)?

Tunbridge wells There were a lot of empty shops in Victoria Place and on the pedestrian precinct. And it looked a bit scruffy and down at heel. Old High Street was more lively but not sure you could have made a day of it.

Canterbury City Centre is quite small and centred round the cathedral. I would head for one of the park and rides off the A20 and get the bus in.

Sorry A2 not A20

Yes Canterbury is nice for Christmas shopping and has a little German market usually. Has all the big shops but also plenty of independents too. Nice architecture so nice vibes at Christmas. Agree that park and ride is your best bet - go to the Dover Road one.

Bluewater??

Faversham is very pretty & they have craft/vintage markets quite a few independent shops lots of nice coffee shops & restaurants it’s not far from Canterbury so could combine both places.

I’m in Kent and the local high street has a lot of empty closed/down shops these days, so do the nearby towns.

I’d stick to London if you want a nice day out 😬

I went to Canterbury yesterday.

It's got lots of huts through the city ready for Christmas shopping. Many more than I've seen in previous years. The rest of the city shops are ok. The fenwicks has lots of stuff you don't see elsewhere.

For example these decorations.

Ooh, lovely suggestions here, thank you.
Bluewater is my usual shopping place so I wanted somewhere a bit different that doesn’t have the same old high street shops as everywhere else.

We used to do a trip to Tunbridge Wells, but it's really gone downhill. The Pantiles is now mostly coffee shops, and the Victoria shopping centre is very boring.

My parents visited Canterbury a few months ago for the first time since lockdown, and commented on how run down it had become. Debenhams and Nasons have left big gaps, but there are many other empty shops as well. I go there because it’s my local shopping centre, but I certainly wouldn’t see it as a place to go for a special Christmas shopping trip.

The cathedral is beautiful, though.

The best lights I have seen in Kent are Ramsgate’s harbour. Shopping there isn’t great, though I guess you could visit Westwood Cross first.

There are many places to park around the city but as pp suggested park and ride is a good shout. I usually get the train into Canterbury East and it's a pleasant walk in. Canterbury still has a Fenwicks - it's hard to find a dept store these days - and Zara, Minsoon, H&M etc. Lots of nice places for coffee or lunch as well. The cathedral is right in the centre so, even if you don't go in, is lovely to see! The other place I like is Tenterden as I live in between both. A long Hugh street with gorgeous buildings and some good shops, eg Space NK, White Stuff, and again, lovely pubs and tea rooms.

www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwja6aWJtaP7AhUOi1wKHcvNC5gQFnoECDUQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mytenterden.co.uk%2Fevents%2Ftenterden-christmas-market-listing-298-107770.aspx&usg=AOvVaw1ML5in1nAd_NiJzK9miu8z

Faversham on a market day is fab! Went in the Summer and completely fell in love with it!

We go to Canterbury by train. There's more empty shops post lockdown but still a good selection, some lovely independent shops and cafes (recommend the chocolate one by the cathedral, great chocolate milkshakes, or hot chocolate). The cathedral is nice and the shop has lovely Christmassy bits. A ticket lasts a year so we always go at least twice.

There's also a ruined priory (English Heritage) and an old medieval hospital so you can easily combine Christmas shopping with something cultural.

I love Faversham and have a house there but I do think it's a bit limited shopping wise.

I live in Canterbury. The town is very pretty at Christmas, it’s good for a potter and you have the abbey ruins and cathedral. But it’s not great for shopping, the high street is full of empty shops sadly and anything new opening is a coffee shop. The Christmas market is festive and useful if you want a candle or I dunno, a wooden engraving of a Christmas scene with your name on etc etc. Fenwicks is worth a visit and they have the big chains like M&S and Primark etc.

I’d go to Whitstable. It’s much smaller so won’t keep you for ages but there are lots of quality independent shops. Make the most of it with a long lunch and pub visit and if the weather is good, a walk along the seafront.

Whitstable is lovely!

There's always Bluewater but haven't been there for years! Where are you travelling from OP as we might be able to recommend other places. I was in Bournemouth last year, end of November and there was a good Christmas market.

Ashford designer outlet is a fave!
Bluewater is my other fave.