The Upgrade – Bicester Village; luxury level service set in the peace of the Oxfordshire countryside

WORDS: AMY SESSIONS

The Upgrade

LUXURY LEVEL SERVICE AND KEY BRANDS ALL SET IN THE PEACE OF THE OXFORDSHIRE COUNTRYSIDE. IF YOU’RE LONDON-BOUND, BICESTER VILLAGE IS YOUR SECRET WEAPON FOR SOURCING ELUSIVE PAST SEASON PIECES AT A FRACTION OF THE RETAIL PRICE, JUST AN HOUR AWAY FROM THE CITY

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The Bicester Collection offers all-encompassing curated luxury shopping experiences, bespoke dining offers and tailored guest services, less than an hour away from some of Europe’s most visited big cities. Bicester Village is the flagship of The Bicester Collection, set in the heart of the Oxfordshire countryside and a must-visit for past season pieces you’ve missed, and a VIP appointment curated to save you time sourcing the perfect pieces.

The Hero Brands Bicester Village is home to a wide number of luxury brands, we suggest aiming for Balmain, Off White, Ermenegildo Zegna, Jil Sander, Soho Home, Isabel Marant, Elemis, 111 Skin, New Balance and Bang & Olufsen.

The Smart Approach Book a personal shopping consultation in the newly renovated personal shopping suites. The suites are private spaces that allow for discreet, bespoke, and personalized interaction during the personal shopping experience and are available as a service free of charge to all guests.

If you’d like to upgrade your experience to the most superlative level, available by invitation only, is the luxury Apartment in Bicester Village. The Apartment is a private space to unwind, enjoy refreshments, revel in purchases, or take part in a personal shopping consultation. Five-star hospitality, courtesy of expert teams comes as standard, but it’s where these services meet style that the concept really comes together. The spaces in The Apartment capture the magic of the surrounding region, taking influences from local culture in the form of colour, flowers, art and interiors. The Hands-free Shopping allows you to shop till you drop & relax while the team collects and packs all your purchases ready for you to collect at the end of the day.

The Epicurean Café Wolseley is an all-day café-restaurant, which offers halal options, inspired by the iconic London flagship. Combining British heritage with European grandeur, The Wolseley is one of London’s most admired restaurants in the heart of Mayfair. If you prefer pasta, visit the newly opened La Tua Pasta who make their fresh pasta nightly in the outskirts of London, before being delivered to your plate.

The Stay If you feel like one day isn’t enough or you’d like to sleep on your new investment decisions overnight, the nearby The Old Parsonage Hotel is ideal. Oxford’s 17th century Old Parsonage combines original charm and character with all the luxury, amenities and technology available to an independently owned 5-star hotel. Best known by locals and visitors alike for its eclectic country house charm, chic modern interiors and striking 20th century portraits, the Old Parsonage is a luxury home-from-home with impeccable hospitality.

The Stop Off Just a stone’s throw away is Soho Farmhouse – worth a stop for dinner before you head back to London.

The Travel Less than an hour from London, the Village is easy to reach by car and rail, with a regular direct train service that runs from London Marylebone to Bicester Village Station. With Arabic signage, prayer room and a great selection of halal cuisine, Bicester Village is always ready to welcome all visitors from the Middle East and beyond.