Bicester Village - worth a visit? Post Reply

[Bluerose]

I have never been to Bicester Village and am keen to go. Is it worth it? Is the shopping any good? I am particularly keen to visit the Kate Spade, Jimmy Choo, Sandro, DVF and Anya Hindmarch stores. Are the discounts worth the journey?

Thank you in advance!

[NYE31]

Def not. It's packed full of coach loads of Chinese & Japanese tourists, queues galore & a bit like the 1st day of the Harrod's sale.

[Bluerose]

Oh goodness, thanks for the warnings! I was fearful that it would just be a tourist haunt, too good to be true and not with the journey but I love a bargain... I won't bother now.

Thank you for your replies!

[LP73]

It's a great place and worth a trip. Avoids weekends or ultimate sale days as the crowds are busy but for the shops that you are looking at you can save a lot of money.

Yes, there are different nationalities but that's because the shops are so great with great savings.

Only listen to those who have actually been and have experience first hand

[abcdefg]

It's great. Lovely day out (if you like shopping). I've bought a few lovely things from there including a beautiful Temperley dress for £200. It is busy but if you go in the week you'll have fun.

[Bluerose]

Is driving there a no no mid-week? And although I see there's a children's play park from the website's map, should I leave my 2 year old at home? I am quite keen for a bargain Anya Hindmarch bag!

Thank you! Xx

[abcdefg]

Driving is fine if you don't go in rush hour. I think it's about 1 hour 15 mins from Wandsworth if I remember correctly but that obviously isn't at 8am or 5pm. As for taking a two year old, it's ok from memory (can't visualise the playground at all sadly) but always best left at home for a Mummy shopping trip!

As for Anya Hindmarch, I got the glittery clutch I had wanted for years for £100. Bargain of a lifetime.

[LP73]

Driving if fine and agreed avoid rush hour. I normally leave about 0930/1000 and get there about 80 mins later. I then either leave Bicester at 3ish or whbe it closes!!
I would leave your two year old behind so that you can have a really good shop.
It's all outdoors so not a mall where they will keep warm as such.

[NYE31]

http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/118799 ... oner_says/

[falconmum]

If anyone wants company to go shopping there , I will gladly tag along .
Dont really drive which has deterred me so far ....

A NVN Bicester shopping trip, perhaps ?

[1sttimemummy]

I know Bicester village very well as I pass there weekly to visit my parents. It is worth a visit, there are some great bargains to be had. I have saved loads of money in the past. The stores at Bicester stock end of season or last season goods so they are exactly the same quality as you find in the shops.

Ps. I would allow yourself 1 hour 45 minutes to get there by car from Clapham area.

Have a lovely time

[boonkoh]

There are some real bargains to be had there! But there are also lots of lines specially made for Bicester, especially from the American brands where this practice is common in their outlet malls.

The savings are probably not huge, but when there are out of season and clearance stock, they can be. Stock at stores like Mulberry does change, as some of the stuff they have are "reconditioned" returns from customers. They look just as new, but they only have like one or a few pieces of each.

[Denwand]

I too saw the recent documentary product on BV and have had a similar disappointing experience there.

I bought a Gieves and Hawkes jacket for my husband since he admires the quality and has bought G&H clothes for years.

Though he was appreciative he pointed out how cheaply it was made - patch pockets on a jacket and other points made it look like a cheap school blazer - and the fit and look is very disappointing. It is not stocked at any of the "proper" G&H stores.

So it is true - items are made especially for the discount malls and they rely on our starry-eyed worship of labels to purchase regardless of quality.

Never again!

[SherylofSC]

Yes go! Great shops and good discounts and you can sometimes get an extra 10% off with a one day promo card
I know the Tourism Director personally and have been a few times and I never have enough time to visit all the shops. They are all top end designer brands and often sell sales stock that hasn't shifted from general sale periods as well as items you can find normally. If you don't want to drive it's very easy to get a train and they have free transfer coach available from station

Enjoy!