If serious shopping’s on the agenda but the crowds of London don’t hold any appeal, it’s worth hopping on the train to one of the excellent shopping centres in Essex. Many shopping centres on our route are under half an hour from Fenchurch Street station and boast all the high street favourites, as well as smaller boutiques, vintage outlets. And, of course, many top notch eateries to stop for lunch.
Travel from London to Essex from £12.10 with our online advance tickets. You can buy your Off-Peak tickets on c2c Smartcard, making your journey quicker and easier. Find out more about Smartcard.
Lakeside Shopping Centre
The seventh largest shopping centre in Britain, Lakeside shopping centre couldn’t be easier to get to by train. Our Chafford Hundred station is directly connected in front of the entrance.
And the shopping? In short, it’s fantastic, the centre benefiting from a recent multi-million pound overhaul. You’ll find all the major department stores, including Zara, House of Fraser and Marks & Spencer plus independent shops selling everything from canvas prints to crockery, perfume to retro sweets. There’s high street and designer fashion alike, plus plenty for children to do.
You could easily spend a whole day at the centre – exploring the The Quay, watching the latest blockbuster at the Vue cinema or enjoying lunch at one of the many eateries.
- West Thurrock Way, Grays, Essex, RM20 2ZP
- Nearest station: Chafford Hundred
Grays Shopping Centre
Boasting 55 shops all on one level, Grays Shopping Centre, a short walk from Grays train station, is perfect if you want to get your errands done with speed. Hairdressers, gift shops, beauty outlets, several banks, a Post Office and various food shops offer all the essentials. The choice of cut price stores is a bargain hunter’s dream – Iceland, Savers, Farmfoods and Poundland can all be found here.
- Grays Shopping Centre. Grays. Essex. RM17 6QF
- Nearest station: Grays
The Royals Shopping Centre
A stone’s throw from Southend seafront and seconds from Southend Central train station, The Royals Shopping Centre is the perfect location to shop, eat and relax.
Treat yourself to some retail therapy in top high street brands such as TK Maxx and Hotter, or a well-deserved beauty treatment from Nola Beauty or Toni & Guy. Find the perfect gift for your loved ones in Pandora, The Fragrance Shop and Card Factory. Don’t forget to pick up those essentials in Poundland, Boots and Grape Tree.
The Royals is the perfect spot to meet friends and family, grab a coffee or a bite to eat in Costa, Utopia or bb’s. Plus, there’s fun for all the family with FREE Little Royalty kids clubs ran throughout the year. The Royals Shopping Centre is fully wheelchair accessible and has facilities such as baby changing, feeding areas and free Wi-Fi.
- The Royals Shopping Centre, High Street, Southend-On-Sea, Essex, SS1 1DG
- Nearest station: Southend Central
Eastgate Shopping Centre
You’ll find the big names here from Topshop, H&M, and New Look to the likes of Superdry, and Ann Summers. The health and beauty options are endless too, with Angel Beauty Parlour, Belleza Beauty and Ultimate Hair & Beauty offering an extensive range of treatments plus several makeup and beauty shops.
Virgin Media and Carphone Warehouse happily take care of phone and technology needs while shops including Asda and The Furniture Shop can help with home and living queries. Sporty people are well catered for, with Champion Martial Arts, Gym4All and Trespass on hand.
When a cup of tea (or something more) is in order, there are plenty of options, from McDonald’s and Nandos to Subway, Starbucks and Taco Bell. Once refreshed, a trip to one of the famous local markets will be well rewarded. Boasting stalls bearing fresh produce, art and crafts, clothing, homeware and more, Basildon and Pitsea markets are well worth a rummage. A short taxi ride out is Battlesbridge Antiques Centre, the largest in Essex.
- Eastgate Shopping Centre, Basildon, Essex, SS14 1EB
- Nearest station: Basildon
Don’t forget Westfield Stratford City!
Although it’s not quite Essex, Westfield Stratford City is easy to get to with direct trains to and from Liverpool street station to Stratford, or you can change at West Ham from other c2c services onto the Jubilee line.
It’s a shopping centre that needs no introduction as any shop you could possibly dream of can be found here.
- Nearest station: Stratford
Save a 1/3 on your c2c rail fare when you shop in a group with Group Save.