You are on Opening Times (Bluewater). Skip to the next section.

Opening Times (Bluewater)

• The venue is open 24hrs.

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• Comments View
  • The shopping centre is open 24 hours.
  • The opening times of shops, cafés and restaurants in the centre vary.
  • Please see the Bluewater website for more information.

You are on Getting Here. Skip to the next section.

Getting Here

• Bluewater is located to the south west of Greenhithe, off the B255, which is accessed via the A2 at Bean Interchange. Follow the signs for Bluewater from the A2.
• There are six car parks surrounding the shopping centre. There are four multi-storey car parks - Guildhall Car Park, Plaza Car Park, Rose Gallery Car Park, and Thames Walk Car Park. There are two open air car parks - Village Car Park and Winter Garden Car Park.
• There is a bus stop within 150 metres of the shopping centre.
• There is an onsite bus station and transit hub.
• For more information on Bluewater Bus Station and Transit Hub please click here (opens new tab).
• The nearest railway station is Greenhithe.
• Bluewater is a 25 minute bus ride away from Greenhithe Railway Station, which connects you to all major cities in the UK.
• For more information on Greenhithe Station - National Rail please click here (opens new tab).

You are on Getting Help and Assistance. Skip to the next section.

Getting Help and Assistance

• Guest services associates, Security officers, Cleaning operatives and Car park attendants receive Autism Awareness training.
• There is not a member of staff trained in British Sign Language. Please phone the venue in advance for more information
• Guest Services Associates do receive training in escorting visually impaired people.
• Alternative formats of the shopping centre map are available in large print.
• There is an assistance dog toilet or toileting area at the venue/nearby.
• The assistance dog toilet or toileting area is located on the grassed areas around the site.
• There is a designated place of safety which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
• The place of safety is located on Lower Rose Gallery, in The Quiet Place.
• Water bowls for assistance dogs are not available.
• There are mobility aids available.
• The mobility aids available include mobility scooters and wheelchairs.
• To obtain mobility aids please contact Ability Plus.

You are on Parking. Skip to the next section.

Parking

• There are six car parks surrounding Bluewater. For more information on the car parks please see the following access guides.
• Guildhall Car Park (opens in a new tab)
• Plaza Car Park (opens in a new tab)
• Rose Gallery Car Park (opens in a new tab)
• Thames Walk Car Park (opens in a new tab)
• Village Car Park (opens in a new tab)
• Winter Garden Car Park (opens in a new tab).

You are on Outside Access (Thames Walk Car Park Upper Level Entrance). Skip to the next section.

Outside Access (Thames Walk Car Park Upper Level Entrance)

• This information is for the entrance located on the Upper Level of Thames Walk Car Park.
• This entrance gives access to the Upper Level of The Plaza.
• The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
• There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
• There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
• There is a dark mat or floor marking at this entrance that might be perceived as a hole.
• The entrance door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
• The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
• The main automatic door(s) is/are push pad or push button activated.
• The door(s) is/are double width.
• The width of the door opening is 176cm.
• Alternative access at this entrance is via double manual doors which open towards you (pull).
• The opening width for the manual doors is 176cm.

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• Entrance View
  • There is not a member of staff available for assistance at this entrance.
• Ramp/Slope View
  • The ramp/slope is located immediately beyond the entrance.
  • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent.
  • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the ramp.
  • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.
  • The width of the ramp/slope is 146cm (4ft 9in).
  • The lighting levels at the ramp/slope are good.
  • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
• Step(s) View
  • The step(s) is/are located immediately beyond the entrance.
  • There is/are 5 step(s).
  • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
  • The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The going of the step(s) is/are not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.
  • Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
  • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • Handrails are easy to grip.
  • Handrails do extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
  • The lighting levels at the step(s) are good.
• Comments View
  • The height of the external push pad is 72cm.
  • The height of the internal push pad is 95cm.
  • There is also a slight slope in front of the entrance.

You are on Internal Area(s) (The Plaza Lower Level). Skip to the next section.

Internal Area(s) (The Plaza Lower Level)

• Digital wayfinders are not available.
• No wayfinding signage is provided in this area.
• The type of flooring in this area is marble.
• There is flooring with a very shiny finish which could cause issues with glare or be perceived as slippery.
• There is good colour contrast between the walls and floor in the majority of corridors/walkways.
• The lighting levels are varied.
• Background music is played in this area.
• Background music is played throughout The Plaza.
• There is step free access in this area.

You are on Escalator(s) (The Plaza). Skip to the next section.

Escalator(s) (The Plaza)

• Wayfinding signage is not provided for escalators.
• The escalators go both up and down.
• The floors which are accessible by escalator(s) are Lower and Upper.
• The escalator(s) steps are not clearly marked.
• The foot and head of the escalator(s) are not clearly marked.
• The lighting levels at the escalator(s) are good.
• There is/are 1 escalator area(s) in this area.

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• Comments View
  • There is a bollard at the foot of the escalator going up and a bollard at the head of the escalator going down.

You are on Lift (The Plaza). Skip to the next section.

Lift (The Plaza)

• There is a lift for public use.
• The lift is located between Ask Italian and Nando's on the lower level and between Wagamama and Krispy Kreme on the upper level.
• Signs indicating the location of the lift are not available from the entrance.
• The lift is approximately 69m (75yd 1ft) from the Upper Thames Walk Car Park entrance.
• The lift is a standard lift.
• A member of staff does not need to be notified for use of the lift.
• The floors which are accessible by this lift are Lower and Upper.
• Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on lift lobby landings.
• There is a clear level manoeuvring space of 150cm × 150cm in front of the lift.
• Lift doors do contrast visually with lift lobby walls.
• The external controls for the lift are within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
• The colour contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is good.
• The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is good.
• The clear door width is 135cm (4ft 5in).
• The dimensions of the lift are 225cm x 178cm (7ft 5in x 5ft 10in).
• There are no separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
• There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
• There is not a list of floor services available within the lift.
• The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
• The lift does have an audible announcer.
• The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
• There is not a hearing loop system.
• The lift does not have Braille markings.
• The lift does have tactile markings.
• The lighting levels in the lift are good.

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• Comments View
  • The lift operates automatically on entry.

You are on Other Floors (Thames Walk and The Plaza). Skip to the next section.

Other Floors (Thames Walk and The Plaza)

• Stairs can be used to access other floors.
• The stairs are located at the junction of Thames Walk Blue, Thames Walk Yellow and The Plaza.
• The floors which are accessible by stairs are Lower and Upper.
• There are 15+ steps between floors.
• The height of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
• The steps are clearly marked.
• There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
• The steps have a handrail on both sides.
• Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
• Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
• Handrails are easy to grip.
• Handrails do extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
• There is a landing.
• Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on landings.
• The lighting levels at the steps are good.

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• Comments View
  • The stairs are on a spiral curve.
  • The going varies.

You are on Internal Area(s) (The Plaza Upper Level). Skip to the next section.

Internal Area(s) (The Plaza Upper Level)

• Digital wayfinders are not available.
• No wayfinding signage is provided in this area.
• The type of flooring in this area is marble.
• There is flooring with a very shiny finish which could cause issues with glare or be perceived as slippery.
• There is some flooring which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
• There is good colour contrast between the walls and floor in the majority of corridors/walkways.
• The lighting levels are varied.
• Background music is played in this area.
• Background music is played throughout The Plaza.
• There is step free access in this area.

You are on Accessible Toilet(s). Skip to the next section.

Accessible Toilet(s)

• The nearest accessible toilet(s) is/are located in the Thames Walk Yellow Upper Welcome Hall.

You are on Standard Toilet(s). Skip to the next section.

Standard Toilet(s)

• The nearest standard toilet(s) is/are located in the Thames Walk Yellow Upper Welcome Hall.

You are on Related Access Guides (Bluewater). Skip to the next section.

Related Access Guides (Bluewater)

• Bluewater - Customer Services link (new tab) - click here
• Bluewater - Guildhall link (new tab) - click here
• Bluewater - Management Suite link (new tab) - click here
• Bluewater - Moon Court link (new tab) - click here
• Bluewater - Rose Gallery link (new tab) - click here
• Bluewater - Shopmobility link (new tab) - click here
• Bluewater - Star Court link (new tab) - click here
• Bluewater - Sun Court link (new tab) - click here
• Bluewater - Thames Walk Blue link (new tab) - click here
• Bluewater - Thames Walk Yellow link (new tab) - click here
• Bluewater - The Village link (new tab) - click here
• Bluewater - The Winter Garden link (new tab) - click here
• Bluewater Nature Trail link (new tab) - click here