Whiteley is a modern shopping and residential development which was selected as an area for growth due to its proximity to J9 of the M27. Building of a business park was started in the mid-80s and the first houses were finished by the end of the decade. In 1999 Whiteley Village Outlet Shopping Centre opened, but it did not prove popular and in 2011 the shops were razed to the ground, and work started on a new development now just called the Whiteley Shopping Centre. The centre is very modern and airy, and Waterstones opened a branch here in 2022.
As it’s a purpose-built centre, there isn’t much else here apart from shops, leisure outlets and restaurants, but I did spot this cute bronze family of wild boars – aren’t they adorable?! They are by artist Lucy Casson, and are one of a number of sets of animals dotted around the complex. We spotted these as we were leaving, so they’re the only ones we found, but there are also foxes, otters and rabbits.
Currently reading: The Mother I Could Have Been by Kerry Fisher
Janet's Adventures in Waterstones 