Good clothes shopping near Tunbridge Wells

[Jugglingmum21]

I'd love to learn whether there is a town (not London!) that is within reasonable travel distance from TW that has a good selection of nice women's clothes shops - maybe a mix of chains offering their nicer stock, but certainly including individual or boutique stores.

Are you lucky enough to live in such a place?? Or know of one?

Bluewater! I think Maidstone has a bit more variety than TW but never been myself.

Definitely don't come to Maidstone! We only have a few high street chains eg Next, H&M, Zara, Fat Face. I think somewhere like Sevenoaks would be a better option.

I would go to Bluewater from TW, not sure about boutiques though I'm afraid!

That's a H&M and a Zara more than Tunbridge Wells has. We do now have a bigger Oliver Bonas though 🤣

Outlet centre at Ashford may be worth considering. Good range of shops there from high street designer.

Agree, go to Bluewater

Sorry but I think you either have to get the train up to London, or hit Bluewater for the chains.

TW used to have a lot of small independent shops, amongst the chains. Last time I was in the pantiles it wasn’t all that great unless you were looking for a nice coffee shop.

Is the cookshop still there? The square one?

Ooh i like a poke about TW when I visit my friend!

😆thank you - I did wonder about Maidstone, I thought they might have some interesting individual ones tucked away, but it sounds like you have saved me a journey!

Yes, Bluewater is where I would normally go but they don't have too many independents. A good Zara but even then a bit hit and miss 😣

And now Primark 😆. It's such a shame as it used to be great, and has got so much potential!

Ashford Outlet is our regular pre Xmas buy for our sons - it's really good for that isn't it. It's a bit short on independents 😔

The Pantiles is lovely but as you say it's more for eateries. There are a few independents on the old High Street which is nice but quite limited 😔

Have you any ideas where in London to find a good selection of reasonably-priced independents? Any toughts??

Yes! Trevor Mottram - a real Aladdin's cave!

It does indeed have a few things down the lower end - Mount Pleasant, old High St etc, but when you live here it can become a bit samey and the upper end is largely Grottsville unfortunately. There is a Primark opening which has created some mixed feelings but the widespread hope is that it might start and upward momentum and bring others 👌

Thanks for all your responses everyone.

Any more are very welcome! I didn't know about Bromley, Brighton or any others in surrounding areas.

Thanks everyone!

Ashford Outlet now has Weird Fish and a couple more new shops in it. I like the Monsoon there as good bargains. Or how about Hythe or Tenterden- always nice to visit.

I believe the outlet is now a hundred percent full, the first time in ages.

Maidstone is better for high street stuff whereas TW has more independent shops. Maybe Ashford outlet?