Rushden Lakes, Northamptonshire Reviews 31

Considering the size of this retail outlet and the lakes, there is a distinct lack of toilet facilities- only four female toilets, one of which doubles as a baby changing facility- had to queue for ages and they were cramped and unpleasant- can't say I'd be easily tempted back.

Ask the bill but It took ages to present it. Understandable if the surrounding is busy, but it is quiet day. My wife saw the lady that we ask chatting to another man.I decided to pay at the counter exactly she saw me she said she will bring it now. No apologies they don't treasure you as a customer I will never come back to this branch.

Today I went into the handbag department to find out what the guarantee was on handbags.
I was met by a chap chewing gum and not very helpful. He didn’t know and had to ask his boss via text message.
Boss came back with an answer and I asked what it meant. Chap didn’t know and had to text again.
Please, please train your staff to have good manners, great service and how to smile.
I’m not a difficult customer at all, but in a high class shop I expect a good service. Not being met by a young man who clearly didn’t want to be at work!

Lots of shops and things to do but parking is dreadful. Expect to drive round trying to find a space for 20-45 mins. Witnessed lots of road rage of people competing for spaces. Won't be visiting again.

Great day out at Rushden Lakes with the children, lots of shops and places to eat. We also enjoyed walking around the lake.
But the parking really is terrible and took us ages to get parked. This really did start the day off on a bad note.

Avoid as the parking and one way system is dreadful. Shops are limited and if you want to eat don’t bother most of the time as they are over subscribed with most not accepting bookings. Won’t be back!

We went on a Thursday during the day and found plenty of parking spaces, loads of different places to eat, a cinema with other facilities great for kids & adults, plenty of shops to choose from, you get 5 hours free parking but get charged £100 if you go over, it a shame as we had to cut our visit early as there was not option to extend your stay there!! Hence the 4 stars!! Not 5! Shops could be missing out because of this!!

Awful place to visit. No decent places to eat or drink, selection of shops poor and over congested.

Its getting a hard press on here, but I like it.

Avoid if you’re in a hurry.

The carpark isn’t man enough for the job.
There is enough room for two lanes in and out but the markings aren’t there so people don’t use their brain!

Another access/exit at the cinema end would help with the congestion & traffic buildup on the A45. Maybe make one end an entrance only and the other end an exit only?

The selection of shops is reasonable with a bit of something for most people. Everywhere is wheelchair/pushchair friendly and there is plenty of Lakes staff around to help give directions.

The food establishments vary from Wagamama’s to Greggs! And most things inbetween. I’ve eaten in several of the restaurants and I’m yet to have a bad experience. Breakfast at Bill’s..avocado toast is a must have!

M&S have a nursing room! This was a big deal for me as a nursing mother. It is clean, comfortable & spacious.

There are public toilets and a fully hoisted disabled facilities too. This is Rushden’s only hoisted public loo!
Whilst the Lakes have facilities in the visitor centre there are also toilets in M&S and they’re much nicer. They’re all kept clean but as a picky person when it comes to the toilet... M&S are my goto at the Lakes.

There are outdoor and indoor activities and entertainment so a trip to the lakes can work in any weather and can suit all budgets!

It’s a fantastic addition to an otherwise boring area.

CAR PARK ENTRY & EXIT IS ATROCIOUS CHAOTIC ONE-WAY SYSTEM THAT JUST DOES NOT WORK EFFICIENTLY IN THE SLIGHTEST. ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE WITH EXPANSION!!

What Muppet planned the car parking system? What Muppets agreed and signed off?!?

The ludicrous one-way system causes lenghthy queues both on entry and exit of car park. Which in turn causes a huge build up of traffic on the A45.

Would NEVER come here on a weekend or public holiday BUT was passing today (a Saturday) and children were hungry. Took me 20 minutes to get a few hundred yards up the A45 and into the car park. Then upon exit at 4.15pm, having parked at the far end of the car park, it took me 24 minutes to get OUT! The HUGE standstill queue has to be manned by Marshall's to instruct drivers to queue in two lanes (Lane markings might be a thought????!! Why aren't there any?!? )
You have the entire car park exiting to one side of the car park which grinds the whole queue to a halt.

Other than that, shops are great. Good selection of restaurants, lovely views and great walks around the lakes or boats/swans to take out on the lake. A really nice take on shopping outlets.

A nice environment... Shame the pollution from the cars queuing undermines the environmental aspect of it!

Just DO NOT visit on a weekend or holiday! Unless you don't mind wasting an hour getting in and out!