ShoppingFreeport Braintree

out of 100 points
based on 2 reviews
No. 1 out of 2 Shopping in Braintree

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Detailed review by Fritzthecat

Fritzthecat(44)
Essex, United Kingdom

98%

very good

Freeport Braintree is a factory outlet that is designed like a small village. The outer ring of shops "surrounds" the village like a city wall and the entrance gates resemble those of medieval gates just don't expect a draw bridge. Once inside you'll find out that there are three shopping streets within the outlet.

The design of the village is quite nice; there are some fountains and trees and small carts from which you can buy hotdogs, drinks or crepes and everything looks very clean and tidy.

The shops offer you the possibility to buy their goods heavily discounted, just as if you were buying straight from the factory. You will find mainly clothing stores at Freeport but apart from Versace the really big names are missing Who you will find are Nike, Reebok, Next, Lacoste, Marks and Spencer, Mexx, Lee Cooper, Mountain Warehouse and many more. Some of them are not exactly cheap if you have to pay their regular prices so branded items yes but nothing really spectacular.

The Next shop is a clearance shop and the discounted items are those that are left over from the last season(s) while they also have some from their actual catalogue items for which you will have to pay the regular catalogue price though.

If it's not clothing you are after it might be luggage or bags where you really can safe money at Antler or Samsonite. There are also some lingerie shops and several shoe shops including Clarks and Hush Puppies. One of my favourite shops is certainly Thornton's where you can get their delicious chocolates to knock off prices, alternatively try Cadbury to get some treats for the kids.

Speaking about kids
Most of the shopping I am doing is for our children who regularly outgrow their clothes and I'm always happy to find a deal. Sadly there isn't really any shop at Freeport that offers children's clothing. There is a small section at Next but I usually buy clothes that are fitting during the season when they are wearing them somehow I can't get used to the idea that I would have had to buy their summer clothing for next summer sometime back in September-probably to realise next year in July that I got it all wrong and they are not fitting. Mexx offers very few items for kids but in such small sizes that they are not suitable for mine anymore and the selection at Marks & Spencer isn't any better.

If you need a bigger size you'll probably not be very lucky here either but sizes 8 to 14 are well catered for. What I do buy at Freeport and always find are trainers and perfume. The prices for perfume are much, much cheaper than anywhere else around bearing in mind that these are originals and not a nasty copy from the market. When it comes to trainers you are spoiled for choice. The choice at Nike alone is huge and I've found trainers for the kids at Reebok for under £10 per pair. Not a big gap to Woolworth or Shoe Fayre and surely worth the journey.

Freeport is very easy to find, it is just off the A 120 which connects Braintree with Colchester and Stansted (M11). Just follow the signs, it is clearly signed out. There is plenty of free parking. If you come from the town centre of Braintree you can take the free shuttle bus which runs every 15 minutes.

If you want to take a rest in between or need to "park" the husband somewhere there are several cafes inside of the outlet, as well as a Burger King. If you feel like having something more substantial than a burger there are two Italian restaurants right in front of the village. A Mexican and a Chinese restaurant and a Rock Café can be found opposite site at the leisure park where you can also try yourself at bowling or watch a movie in the cinema.

I'm not sure if I would take a long journey on me to visit Freeport, it depends on what you are looking for. I'd definitely go if I was in need for new luggage or trainers for the whole family but otherwise probably not. If you want to go try to avoid the weekend, especially before Christmas, as it can get very crowded.

Freeport Braintree8