Author's product rating: 
| Advantages: |
cheap clothes, shoes, books, house hold goods, designer brands |
| Disadvantages: |
out of london, open air |
| Recommend to potential buyers: |
yes |
Welcome to shoppers paradise. Situated just an hours drive from London in Oxfordshire is an absolute heaven for bargin hunters.
So what exactly is it? Well its like Bond street or the Kings road, only at a fraction of the price. There is over 60 well known shops to chose from all offering their goods with at least 25% off, some even up to 60% off. Most of the merchandise is end of line or from the previous season, but with the prices on offer who can argue? Shops include Paul Smith, French Connection, Benetton, Max Mara, Polo Ralph Loren, Reebok, Helly Hansen, Karen Millen, Nicole Farhi and Jigsaw to name a few. A there are some serious bargins to be had if you have the time to look. I found skirts in Karen Millen for as little as £12. And jeans in French Connection for £5! There is stuff for every one. The range of shops is good enough to find clothes for children and adults of all ranges. There are watch shops, shoe shops, clothes shops, house hold goods shops and book shops. What more could you ask for? There is even a place to eat offered in the form of Starbuck's, but I found them quiet expensive and it is such a nice area that you can bring a picnic or drive to one of the nearby country pubs. In most of the shops you can opt to join the mailing list where they will let you know of any special events or new shops opening. I would definatly recomend this. You can also join the mailing list on there website.
So what else is there to do other than shop? Well, if you join the mailing list they send you booklets with information on attractions in the surrounding area. I have just recieved my summer one and it has deals like 2 for 1 to Blenheim Palace or 10% discount to Waddesdon Manor. Visit the website, www.bicestervillage.com and it gives information about the attractions near by. The website also has information about the other outlet villages in France and Spain. It will also say of any events coming up and has competions too.
So is there any bad things about this place!?! Well the only thing that I disliked was the fact that it is open air. Which means in cold weather or on a rainny day its not so much fun, but the low priced goods can soon numb you to all that!
Getting to Bicester village is really easy. By car from London its straight up the M40 to junction 9, where you take the A41 to Bicester. From there it is sign posted to the shopping village. By train a regular service is avaliable from Marylebone Station to Bicester North, where you can get a connecting bus Thursday to Sunday to the shopping village. Or you can go by coach to Oxford and catch the connecting coach to the village. I have only ever gone by car and there is plenty of parking avaliable. As I only travel form London I have only given directions from London. The website has directions from elsewhere in the UK or you can call the number below and get directions. I did that the first time I went and the staff were helpfull.
Bicester Village, 50 Pingel Drive, Bicester, Oxfordhire. 01869 323 200. www.bicestervillage.com
very helpful
helpful
helpful
helpful
