Springfields Designer Outlet & Leisure

Springfields Designer Outlet & Leisure is a major outlet centre with gardens in Spalding, Lincolnshire.

Springfields

An aerial view of Springfields in 2018
Location	Spalding, Lincolnshire, England
Coordinates	52.79920°N 0.12755°W / 52.79920; -0.12755
Address	Springfields Designer Outlet, Camelgate, Spalding PE12 6EU
Opening date	1 May 2004
Previous names	Springfields Outlet Shopping & Leisure
Developer	Thornfield Properties
Management	SLR Outlets Limited
Owner	UBS Triton Property Fund
No. of stores and services	55
Total retail floor area	200,000 sq ft
Parking	1,400 spaces
Public transit access	Spalding 37, 301, 505 and B3X bus routes
Website	Official Website

Stores

As of 2024, the mall had 55 stores across its 45 acre site.^[1] Outlet brands at Springfields include Marks & Spencer, Joules, Skechers, Radley, Next Outlet, Levi's, Jack Wills, Molton Brown and Clarks.^[2] Places to eat include Costa Coffee, Caffe Nero and The Parlour, an Edwardian formal-style restaurant operated by Blue Diamond.^[3]

Garden History

During the 1920s, millions of visitors came by train, coach and car to tour the special tulip routes in the Spalding area, which has established itself as the centre of the British flower bulb industry. As such in 1959, over 200,000 people attended the first Spalding Tulip Parade.^[4]

Springfields Festival Gardens were opened to the public in 1966 for the first time. A charity organisation, Springfields Horticultural Society, was formed to manage the gardens which raised public awareness about the growing and cultivation of flowers from bulbs, and the broader social benefits of horticulture and gardening as a means of relaxation and enjoyment.

After decades of popularity, public interest in the Gardens began to wane, and maintenance of the gardens became difficult to sustain, even for the short 8-week spring flower season.

In the early 2000s, several ideas were considered for funding new investment into the gardens, and eventually a plan was agreed upon with development partner Thornfield Properties, seeing the first Outlet Village in Lincolnshire being approved.^[5] Sheffield-based entrepreneur Ian Sanderson oversaw the project and remains to this day the developer, asset manager and centre director of Springfields.^[6]

Springfields Festival Gardens became a Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) partner garden in 2025.^[7]

Outlet History

The shopping outlet opened on 1st May 2004, marked with a visit by Anne, Princess Royal , who planted a tree within the Festival Gardens, following in the footsteps of the Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother who planted a tree several decades earlier.^[8] An extension (South Avenue) was built in 2008, adding more stores and a Travelodge hotel.

In 2018, further investment was made with the addition of Adventure Land, a family park opened by Samia Ghadie. The venue is home to 10 attractions including the largest JCB Young Drivers Zone in the UK.^[9]

Planning permission has been fully consented for a 50,000 sq ft extension that will add approximately 15 new stores and restaurants. The developer reports this will create up to 350 new jobs for Spalding.^[10]

Location and transport links

Springfields is located in Spalding, at the junction of the A16 and A151. The nearest rail connection is Spalding railway station, around 20 minutes from Peterborough. Multiple bus links service the centre including the 37, 301, 505 and B3X.^[11]

Events

Springfields hosts events throughout the year, including an annual 'Fireworks & Music Spectacular' with a new theme each year, held around Bonfire Night.

The Festival Gardens hosts an illuminated light trail, known as the Winter Wonderland Walk, throughout November and December.^[12]