You are on Opening Times. Skip to the next section.

Opening Times

• The venue is open 24hrs.

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 Nature Trail. Skip to the next section.

Nature Trail

• The nature trail is located to the north west corner of the shopping centre.
• The nearest car park is The Village Car Park.
• The trail starts on the bridge over the boating lake, opposite Zizzi.
• The trail is 1.1km in length and takes approximately 45 minutes to walk.
• Maps for the nature trail are available throughout the shopping centre, and at the start of the trail.
• There are information points and map points located throughout the trail.
• Bench seating is available throughout the trail.

You are on Access Point (Nature Trail Start). Skip to the next section.

Access Point (Nature Trail Start)

• This information is for the access point located opposite Zizzi.
• This access point gives access to the nature trail.
• The access point is clearly signed.
• This access point sign says 'Nature Trail'.
• There is ramped/sloped access at this access point.

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• Ramp/Slope View
  • The ramp/slope is located in front of the access point, leading onto the bridge.
  • The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent.
  • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
  • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.
• Comments View
  • The width of the access point is 360cm.
  • The access point leads onto the bridge across the boating lake.

You are on Boating Lake Section. Skip to the next section.

Boating Lake Section

• There is a bridge across the boating lake.
• The gradient of the bridge is slight (3.1 degrees) and goes upwards then downwards.
• The surface of the bridge is concrete tiles.
• At the exit of the bridge the surface becomes red tarmac with a green pawprint.
• The green pawprint is used throughout the trail to mark the route.
• Bear right.
• There are 3 pathways. The centre pathway is used for the trail.
• Follow the pawprint along the central path.
• The width of the path is 144cm.
• The pathway widens to over 150cm.
• After 103m bear right at the fork.
• Continue along the footpath for 73m and bear left.
• After 18m there is a designated crossing point.
• There are information points and directional arrows along the route.

You are on Boating Lake to Mosaic Tunnel. Skip to the next section.

Boating Lake to Mosaic Tunnel

• From the boating lake there is a zebra crossing.
• The road is raised, however there is a small lip at the crossing point on both sides.
• After crossing the road continue straight ahead.
• There is as slight downwards gradient.
• The surface of the footpath continues to be red tarmac with green pawprints marking the way.
• There are 15 (17cm high) steps, without handrails leading from the crossing point to the Pond of Reflection.
• The steps are compacted gravel and wood and may be slippery.
• The steps lead onto the grass around the Pond of Reflection.
• The slope overcomes the steps.
• After 44m there is bench seating at the bottom of the slope.
• Continue along the path for 14m.
• There is a viewing deck to the right.
• The surface of the deck is wood.
• Slightly bear left and proceed for 5m to the Mosaic Tunnel.

You are on Mosaic Tunnel to Play Area. Skip to the next section.

Mosaic Tunnel to Play Area

• Continue along the footpath through the Mosaic Tunnel.
• After 21m exit the tunnel and proceed up a steep slope towards Swan Lake.
• At the top of the slope, after 10m, bear right and continue to follow the pawprints.
• There is an additional map board at this point.
• Continue along the footpath for 60m.
• The surface of the footpath is uneven in places with trip hazards created by tree roots pushing up the tarmac.
• There is a slight upwards slope along this section of the path.
• There is a small activity play area along this section of the path.
• At the fork, take the left hand path and proceed along a slight downwards slope around a grassed area with bench seating overlooking Swan Lake.
• The pawprints stop at this point, however there are still signs along the route.
• There is a steep slope to access the grassed area from the footpath.
• There is a ball maze toy along this section of the footpath.
• Continue along the footpath for 105m around the lake to the beach and play area.

You are on Play Area. Skip to the next section.

Play Area

• The play area is located to the left of the footpath, facing the beach and lake.
• The play area is accessed by a gate.
• The gate opens away from you (push) and is spring loaded.
• The width of the gate opening is 110cm.
• There is a steep slope to access the play equipment from the gate.
• There is a similar gate at the south west end of the playground.
• The surface of the play area is grassed.
• The play equipment is a wooden obstacle course.
• The play equipment is on safety matting.
• There are picnic benches surrounding the play equipment.
• The height of the picnic benches is 68cm.

You are on Play Area to Wildlife Viewing Point. Skip to the next section.

Play Area to Wildlife Viewing Point

• The beach is on the right of the footpath.
• Access to the beach is by a steep ramp without handrails.
• The surface of the beach is gravel.
• Continue along the footpath for 144m.
• There are activities and games along the footpath.
• Some of the games are painted onto the surface of the footpath and may be mistaken for steps.
• There are bench seats along the pathway.
• The directional signage changes to Sidney Squirrel.
• Follow the footpath round to the left.
• There are butterfly and insect hotels along this section of the trail.
• There are information boards at the butterfly and insect hotels.
• There is a noughts and crosses game along this section of the trail.
• Continue along the trail for approximately 120m to the bridge.
• The bridge is wooden and may be slippery.
• There is a very slight upwards slope on the footpath leading to the bridge.
• The bridge has handrails on both sides.
• After crossing the bridge take the right hand fork and continue along the footpath to the circular wildlife viewing point.
• There is a bench at the viewing point.
• There is a free telescope at the viewing point.
• There is a step at the telescope.
• The height of the step is 36cm.

You are on Wildlife Viewing Point to Finish. Skip to the next section.

Wildlife Viewing Point to Finish

• From the viewing point continue to follow the footpath heading back northwards.
• After 36m bear right and continue to the next wooden bridge.
• The bridge may be slippery.
• The bridge has handrails on both sides.
• Continue along the footpath for 150m to the finish point at the Mosaic Tunnel.
• There are slight upwards and downwards slopes along this section of the trail.
• There are no bench seats along this section of the trail.
• The surface of this section is tarmac, with some uneven areas created by tree roots under the surface of the tarmac.
• The trail finishes at the Mosaic Tunnel which is located on the right.

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 Plaza link (new tab) - click here
• Bluewater - The Village link (new tab) - click here
• Bluewater - The Winter Garden link (new tab) - click here