Shopping & Wellbeing

From unmissable designer bargains, to tracking down one-off antiques or discovering a delectable eatery – with several of the regions’ towns and cities offering uniquely independent  stores selling everything from the latest trends to vintage chic, you'll be sure to find a bargain with or without your student discount! Feel relaxed and refreshed by enjoying a little retail therapy...

Ashford Design Outlet

Situated in the Heart of Kent, McArthurGlen’s Ashford Designer Outlet has over 70 of your favourite brands including: Abercrombie & Fitch, Jack Wills, Fossil, Nike, Ted Baker, The Body Shop and Gap all at up to 60% off the RRP. If you’re feeling peckish why not stop off for a bite to eat at Pizza Express, Wagamama’s or Subway. Or enjoy some delicious food from a range of street-food pop ups!

Getting there by bus...

Stagecoach runs frequent buses into Ashford throughout the day. There are high frequency local buses that connect with trains at the International Rail Station and out of town buses from the Canterbury area. To plan your journey, use the Stagecoach journey planner here. 

Canterbury

Canterbury is one of Kent’s top tourist attractions, with an iconic World Heritage Site, exciting cultural scene and great shopping and dining, there’s little to rival the ever-popular city. Canterbury’s streets are alive with people browsing top trends, homeware, specialty goods and is home to an independent chocolaterie, traditional British sweet-shop and craft brewery.

Getting there by bus...

Stagecoach runs buses from all around east Kent into Canterbury. There are frequent buses throughout the daytime from most towns and the town centre is right near the main bus station.  Attend University of Kent? Jump on a Uni1 or Uni2 bus to the campus. Uni2 buses head back to the city centre until 4am! Plan your journey here.

Faversham

Located on the north Kent coast, Faversham hosts an amazing array of independent shops, regular markets and fine foods. Discover the traditional, Best of Faversham market, renowned for its range and quality of food and drink products as well as locally made arts and crafts – all crafted, sourced and made by people within 15 miles of Faversham. 

Getting there by bus...

Stagecoach bus route 3/3X serves Faversham town centre. On Saturdays you can get buses into Faversham every hour from Sittingbourne and every 15 minutes from Canterbury. On Sundays buses run hourly from Canterbury. The Market Place is a short walk from the Newton Road Library bus stop which is the stop you’ll need to get off the bus if you’re coming from Canterbury. From Sittingbourne and Bysingwood you’ll need to alight at the Court Street bus stop right next to the Market. To plan your bus journey, use the Stagecoach journey here. 

Westwood Cross

With over 50 high street stores, cafes and restaurants to choose from there’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained. Or if you want to relax with your feet up, why not head over to the on-site Cinema and chow down on a bucket of popcorn whilst watching the latest blockbuster. Ah retail therapy never sounded so good!

Getting there by bus...

There are frequent buses to and from Westwood Cross serving the bus hub on the Margate Road side of the shopping centre. The number 8 bus from Canterbury, Birchington and Westgate runs every 30 minutes throughout the day on Mondays to Saturdays and hourly on Sundays. The last bus back to Canterbury is at 18:23 on Mondays to Saturdays and 17:28 on Sundays. Plan your journey here.