Ashford Designer Outlet is well worth a visit

Ashford Designer Outlet is located in Ashford in Kent, in the southeast of England, and is a popular open‑air outlet village known for discounted designer shopping. It brings together more than one hundred designer and high‑street brands, offering discounts of around 40–60 percent off original prices all year round, making it very suitable as a day‑trip destination from London or from continental Europe.

Location and transport

Ashford Designer Outlet is right next to Ashford International railway station and can be reached on foot in about five minutes, with high‑speed trains from London St Pancras taking around thirty‑eight minutes, which is very convenient for visitors coming from London.  

The outlet is also located by junction 10 of the M20 motorway, with a large car park and coach bays, making it convenient for both self‑drivers and those on group tours.

Shopping environment and architecture

The village was designed by the team of renowned architect Richard Rogers, with giant white, tent‑like canopies covering the walkways to create a semi‑open, all‑weather shopping environment, making it one of the more distinctive outlet designs in the UK.  

The centre completed an expansion in 2019, adding around 100,000 square feet of retail space and creating a three‑dimensional “green wall” of about 25,000 square feet, said to be the largest of its kind in Europe, which gives the whole environment more of a garden feel.

Brand selection and shopping highlights

Ashford Designer Outlet brings together more than one hundred brands, including sports and casual names such as Nike, Adidas, Polo Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger and The North Face, as well as designer labels like Michael Kors, Kate Spade, Coach, Sandro and Maje.  

Most stores offer up to about 40 percent off all year round, with additional seasonal promotions on top, making it a popular place to pick up sports gear, denim, bags, accessories and homeware, and a good choice for visitors who want to refresh their wardrobe in one go or buy gifts.

Dining and family facilities

There are more than ten restaurants and cafés in the centre, including chains such as Pizza Express, Wagamama and Caffè Nero, along with dessert spots, street‑food outlets and grab‑and‑go coffee, making it easy for visitors to rest or have a meal between shopping.  

The outlet has a large children’s playground and tree‑house‑style play equipment, as well as Kiddy Cars and other hireable kids’ buggies, making it a family‑friendly destination that is suitable for a day out with children.

Reasons to visit

For people living in London or the south of England, Ashford Designer Outlet offers a leisure space that combines discounted shopping, striking architecture and green landscaping, and is very suitable for a half‑day or full‑day short trip at the weekend.  

Because it is close to the port of Dover and the Channel Tunnel, many European travellers also include it in self‑drive or cross‑border shopping itineraries, dropping in before or after crossing the border to shop and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of an outdoor outlet village.