Bicester Village- is it worth a visit?

Phyzelda

It always depends on what your going for. And it's hit and miss as to whether you get a good deal or not.

Personally I can't stand the place, but that's mainly because of the traffic it brings to the town lol

hellokitty08

I have been to Bicester twice and never had a problem with parking or traffic. All the things that i brought where at least 50% off, jeans from monson, shoes from Timberland, accessories from Accesozire. The other shops i go in are the vans one and the quicksilver one. Got some great birthday presents from their reccently for a male friend.

monkeyuk_2

There's a new outlet centre going to be opening in Gloucester on the 21st May. Seems that it will be much like the Bicester one. :T:T

More info here: http://www.gloucesterquays.co.uk/

nancypearl

I've been to Bicester village a few times and never been able to find anything decent. Monsoon seems to be particuarly strange with it's sizes. Every time I've been I've found something that looks nice but everyone is the same size!!!!!
Most of the shops are full of the stragglers from the sales - stuff that no-one wanted last year for half price, so they certainly don't want now for 40%.
Get to Carluccios before noon to beat the lunch queue.

jumbojuice

been to bicester - as its near some farms, there was an almighty stench!!

also found that any of the decent cheaper stuff in the designer stores tend to be odd sizes which couldnt sell in their main stores such as tiny suits or massive tent-like suits..

maro11

It is a bit hit and miss, sometimes you can find loads and other times nothing. In shops like monsoon I have had better bargains in their high street shop sale, also the same clothes seem to be there month in month out. My husband loves Ted Baker and has bought some fab T shirts there. It is packed with Japanese and Italian tourists with loads of bags, I always wonder what they are buying. other thing I have noticed is that everybody is dressed up! Ladies wafting around in their 6 inch heels, I always feel underdressed.
Molton Brown shop has some good offers, way cheaper than the high steet.

Emma._8

I guess if they are shops you would usually shop in, then it's worth a visit if your not too far away, but I don't feel it's anything special. I wouldn't come all the way from London though. Everything's still overpriced, and not much of it as reduced in price as is made out.
On the weekends its very busy, the traffic into Bicester is crazy. Have to wait for parking. Don't even get me started on the traffic on Bank Holidays... Fine during the week though.
And btw people in Bicester are generally polite, most of the people you will come across have probably travelled to Bicester just for the outlet.

orangemonkey

I've been to bicester, swindon and cheshire oaks and I think bicester's on a way different league compared to swindon and cheshire oaks. If you're aiming to buy a high end designer bag like dng, ferragamo or mulberry, the prices there are very reasonable. When I last went last month, the wallets are in between 70-130quid which is very cheap compared to the usual 200+. The mulberry bayswater bag was on sale for only about 300++, about half the usual price. Bicester certainly stock the high end range which cant be found in other outlets at a very reasonable price if that's your thing. You wouldnt find the usual thorntons and cadbury outlet there though.

But if that's beyond yr budget and u're aiming for the high street brands/mid range designer brands like fred perry, ted baker,polo ralph lauren etc, I think you're better off in swindon or cheshire oaks. I personally prefer cheshire oaks as that's the biggest amongst the 3, although swindon's a good alternative since it's closer to london.

bylromarha

orangemonkey wrote: »

I've been to bicester, swindon and cheshire oaks and I think bicester's on a way different league compared to swindon and cheshire oaks. If you're aiming to buy a high end designer bag like dng, ferragamo or mulberry, the prices there are very reasonable. When I last went last month, the wallets are in between 70-130quid which is very cheap compared to the usual 200+.

Hadn't seen it from that perspective-if you're a regular buyer of designer high end gear, then Bicester is a really good place for you to go as they do have lots of designer items drastically reduced.

Me, I couldn't spend more than £20 on a handbag as it's not my thing!:rotfl:

jenniewb

Just wanted to say thankyou for all your really helpful and descriptive replies- I did stay in London to spend my birthday cash- splashed out on a designer sample sale and now have a bag which was aprox 80% off the RRP- way cheaper then even TK Maxx would sell- and I didn't even have to go by coach!!

Maybe I'll try Bicester another time- when I have (much) more money!