Lakeside or Bluewater

[Babysouth]

I've recently moved to Kent (near Tunbridge Wells) and just trying to work out where the best place to go for a shopping centre trip is?

My neighbour mentioned Lakeside to me and when I was looking on google maps I noticed Bluewater nearby. Obviously if I go to Lakeside I would have to pay the dart charge but could also combine it with a trip to IKEA/Costco.

So of the two which do you prefer? When I google it, all the results say Lakeside is better but is there really that much difference?

Basically just wondering if it's worth paying £5 to travel a few minutes further to Lakeside

I prefer Bluewater personally, try both.

Ashford designer outlet is lovely for shopping too, all outside but covered with huge car park in the middle.

Bluewater. Nicer environment and you don't have to do the Dartford crossing.

Lakeside is only worth it for ikea.

Bluewater 100%. Lakeside isn’t nearly as nice. I have no idea why anyone would prefer it

Lakeside is more chainstores/ primark style compared to Bluewater which has some higher end chainstores and shops, IMHO. Bluewater is also much newer and smarter.

Definitely Bluewater, Lakeside is really dated by comparison, but if you need IKEA??

Not much use to you, but wow, Lakeside brings back memories! I remember when it first openend and lots of happy shopping trips in my tweens and teens!

Now, back to your question! I stopped going to Lakeside in the early 2000s because there were so many empty units. Bluewater is more modern and has a better variety of stores IMO.

Bluewater it is then! I will get round to trying both obviously but I'm going to go to one and Friday and couldn't decide which Don't need IKEA/Costco this week so will leave Lakeside until I need to do a combined trip.

Thanks all

@Roselilly36

Ashford designer outlet is lovely for shopping too, all outside but covered with huge car park in the middle.

Yes this is on the list too! I have moved down from Yorkshire and was thinking I would really miss York outlet (also McCarthur Glenn) so happy to find there was one close ish to Tunbridge Wells.

Don't underestimate how long it takes to cross through the Dartford Tunnel. Definitely isn't just a few extra minutes.

@Aroundtheworldin80moves

Don't underestimate how long it takes to cross through the Dartford Tunnel. Definitely isn't just a few extra minutes.

Ha yes I did wonder this! I've only done the crossing once (going south when I moved down) but it did look busy on the other side going into the tunnel. When I checked google maps Lakeside was only 3 minutes longer apparently but I was looking at 8pm last night.

My experience is (from regularise Yorkshire-kent trips) is that going South over the bridge is a lot quicker than going North through the tunnel. I think its because more vehicles can go over the bridge at once, plus the Dangerous Loads not needing escorts.

It depends what you're looking for. Bluewater is more upmarket. I prefer a trip to Bluewater, but end up buying more at Lakeside

I prefer Lakeside.

Lakeside, I can never get what I went for if I go to Bluewater, which I hardly ever do for that reason. I find it's full of faddy useless shops and expensive clothes shops.

I live in Kent and if I’m going to actually shop we use Bluewater , I tend to only go across if I’m going to Costco . The best thing to do is check the traffic for the tunnel before you go , we went yesterday and there was no traffic at all . I find the Ashford outlet utterly useless unless you want to buy sports clothes or shoes although they have got some new higher end shops now . They also don’t have many restaurants .

Bluewater is definitely better for general shopping and feels more high end. Lakeside is useful for furniture and decorating as it has the retail park next to the shopping centre.

Watch the closing times at lakeside - I went about a month ago and most of the shops shut earlier than advertosed. There were lots of empty ones too.