In a charming small village in the Oxfordshire area lies a tourist attraction that rivals Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London, in terms of the visitors it attracts. The place in discussion is Bicester Village – UK’s premium outlet shopping complex that attracts thousands of eagle-eyed shoppers in hunt of a bargain.
However, unlike the bargain racks and QSR eateries of typical factory outlet malls, the experience at Bicester Village is about the slow life. From a concierge service, a members-only exclusive club, elevated dining options and the quaint British cottages as stores – Bicester Village is how you spend a leisurely, luxurious day out of town.
Experience luxury shopping and dining at Bicester Village in the UK:
The Apartment:
A members-only club within Bicester Village that doubles up as your concierge and sanctuary on your visit here. As a member, one can make this the starting and ending point of your trip, grab a croissant and coffee and book your appointments from here to avoid queues. Resembling a grand English residence, the space is decorated with massive bouquets of exotic flowers, unique artefacts, and coffee table books on fashion and design. The Apartment is a great place for plus ones, who do not share your enthusiasm for shopping, as they can make use of the free drinks and wifi in the interim period. Other benefits of availing the services include invitations to private sales, member-only events, experiences and savings and personal shopping appointments.
The Shops:
Most shopping enthusiasts will agree that the joy of scoring a deal at an Outlet Mall is unbridled. With luxury outlets like Dior, Gucci, Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen, Givenchy, Burberry, and the list goes on. From astute suits for men to designer digs for kids, expensive bath and beauty brands to luxury chocolates, what appears to be a small village is filled with endless rows of boutiques. The open-air layout ensures that at no point do you feel overwhelmed but treat the day as a scroll through a quiet European town. Your feet might get tired with all the walking but there is a solution to ensure your hands are stress-free. Bicester Village offers a Hands-Free Shopping Service, whereby you can scan a QR code and your purchased goods will be directly sent to The Apartment or even the Railway Station for you to simply pick up and carry on your way out.
Meal at Ottolenghi:
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Images: Courtesy Ottolenghi/IG.
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If it’s a sunny day at Bicester Village, secure yourself a spot on the deli-style restaurant, Ottolenghi‘s patio for a wholesome meal. But don’t worry, even when the sky is cloudy, the cheery interiors are sure to put your mood in a sunny disposition. Run by Israeli-British chef and restaurateur, Yotam Ottolenghi, the restaurant is known for its pairing of vegetables with unorthodox flavours and the use of Middle Eastern ingredients such as rose water, za’atar, and pomegranate molasses. On our table, we had a lavish spread of butter bean hummus with flatbread, rosemary spiced nuts, roasted cauliflower, and chard goat cheese quiche, that delighted with their Mediterranean flavours. This was accompanied by an array of salads from their daily-changing salad bar which included roasted aubergine with saffron yoghurt and the crisp green beans with hazelnuts and orange. It’s hard to give into the temptation of the French tartlets, cinnamon brioche pretzels, raspberry cheesecakes and giant berry-swirled meringues that were on display but we did take a vegan chocolate chip cookie to go. Retail isn’t far from your mind, even when you’re taking a well-deserved lunch break at Ottolenghi at Bicester Village. Inside one can find the full range of bestselling Ottolenghi cookbooks, vibrant Serax x FEAST tableware as well as packed food products to take for your home or your journey to Marylebone Station in London.
Bicester Village isn’t simply about shopping. It is a visit to the countryside where you can soak in the fresh air, unwind, enjoy a good meal and spend with loved ones, and the good deals are simply a bonus.
Shop the best travel experiences here.
This story first appeared here.
(Hero & feature image credit: Bicester Village)
Related: This Buzzy London Neighbourhood Has Long Been A Favourite Among Locals & Travellers
Note:
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
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Written By
Akshita Nahar Jain
Akshita Nahar Jain has worked with various publications, including Elle, Harper’s Bazaar Bride, and Time ..Read More