Fans of Bicester Village, and there are many of them, flock to this Oxfordshire retail outpost well prepared. Toned upper body strength for all those bags, a fully-charged phone for co-ordinated price comparisons (there’s free wifi, naturally), and a reliable pair of comfortable shoes for a day’s shopping. Comfortable shoes, but stylish, mind – because this is an outlet mall with a difference. The retail therapy here is cut-price but it’s seriously fashionable.
This is not about cheap sweatshirts piled high in vast warehouses or airless multi-storey shopping malls. Instead, Bicester (pronounced ‘Bisster’, in case you’re asking for directions) Village is neatly laid out in avenues of boutiques that look more like wood-fronted countryside stores than high street shops. Taking advantage of the extra space afforded by its location outside London – 60 minutes by car or 46 minutes by train – it’s landscaped with little trees and wide pedestrianised walkways.
There are over 130 boutiques here, for five-star labels and chi-chi lifestyle brands, all offering up to 60 percent off their regular prices. No wonder fashionistas come from the other side of the world to shop for Roberto Cavalli, Versace, Dior, Gucci… The list goes on, with clothes and accessories stores for men and women, alongside Cath Kidston, Le Creuset, L’Occitane en Provence and the like.
The reductions are on offer all year round, too, not just for a couple of days’ madness on a bank holiday, but it’s worth checking their website before you go to find out what labels are offering additional reductions when you’re planning to visit.
Bicester Village’s shopping services reflect its international appeal. Along with valet parking, chauffeur travel and daytrip packages that include luxury transport and dining experiences, there are frequent flyer rewards available, plus luggage drop and tax refund facilities.