Bexleyheath Town Centre and Shopping Guide: Broadway Shopping Centre, the Pedestrian Zone and Parking

This guide describes how the council and the shopping centre themselves present Bexleyheath. We do not rank, review or recommend individual shops, and we only quote opening hours as the centre publishes them.

How is Bexleyheath town centre laid out?

The London Borough of Bexley's town centres page calls Bexleyheath the borough's main town centre. It says the town grew around a Roman road used by pilgrims to Canterbury, and names the clock tower, formally opened in 1912, as an icon of the town.

According to the council:

• the main retail area is the Broadway Shopping Centre and the adjacent pedestrianised zone, with independent stores, national brand retailers and Morley's Department Store
• at the eastern end of the Broadway there are restaurants, a cinema and a bingo hall
• towards the west of the Broadway there are more restaurants and bars, which the council says give the town its evening economy
• Bexleyheath is the main bus hub for the borough, with most routes passing through, and trains from Bexleyheath station take around half an hour to central London

What does the Broadway Shopping Centre say about itself?

The centre's website describes it as Bexleyheath's premier shopping destination, with more than 60 stores and 1,200 car parking spaces. Its published centre opening hours are:

• Monday to Saturday: 9am to 6pm
• Sunday: 10am to 4pm
• closed on Easter Sunday and Christmas Day

Shops and restaurants inside may open at different times, so check with the one you are visiting. The site also lists Click and Collect, Amazon Lockers and InPost Lockers among its information links.

How do I get there?

The centre's find us page says:

• By car: use the sat nav postcode DA6 7JJ. It describes turning into Albion Road, crossing the first roundabout and doubling back at the next roundabout to enter the car park. It says there are electric charging points in the Square car park, by Highland Road, opposite the Magistrates' Courts.
• By train: the nearest station is Bexleyheath, served by Southeastern, about a 15 to 20 minute walk.
• By bus: Bexleyheath Clock Tower is the main stop on many routes, which it lists as 89, 132, 229, 269, 401, 422, 469, 486, 492 and B11 to B16.
• By bike: there is a segregated cycle path on Albion Road and cycle parking outside the Townley Road entrance. Cycling is not permitted in the pedestrianised section of the town centre, and bicycles are not permitted inside the centre.

For council-run car parks in Bexleyheath and Bexley village, including the Albion Road multi-storey, see our parking guide. The council's car parks page lists upcoming works that may limit spaces at the Cinema car park and Bexley High Street car park, so check it before you go. For public transport detail see our buses guide and train stations guide.

Who looks after the town centre?

The council says Bexleyheath has a Business Improvement District, which raises extra funds to support the town, including themed events on the Broadway. The BID's Enjoy Bexleyheath website says it covers virtually the entire town centre and represents approximately 230 levy payers in retail, leisure and hospitality. It carries a town centre events listing and a Drink and Dine guide. For events, see our markets and events guide.

Where else is there to shop?

The council's town centres page also describes:

• Bexleyheath Station and Pickford Lane: just outside the main centre, with independent retailers and service providers including grocery, health and beauty, dry cleaners and takeaways
• Bexley village: a winding High Street with independent and family-owned shops, tearooms, coffee houses and restaurants, near Foots Cray Meadows, with good bus links and plenty of parking, according to the council

Our sister site Sidcup.co covers the next town along.