Bicester Village Shopping

It is an outdoor outlet mall. It is very popular with overseas tourists, especially from China.

I personally never go there although I drive past quite often.

I'm a man, don't do last season fashion, and don't tend to shop.

Others do. If you'd rather take valuable sightseeing time for a hunt, and the brand names appeal to you, go for it.

Problem is, it's a lot of high end designer... so yes you get 50% off, but the item was £1,000 full price. The car park was full of Ferrari's last time I went. Personally, I think there are as many bargains to be had in the normal shops round London, especially during sale time. My favourite outlet centre is Gun Wharf Quays in Portsmouth... genuine bargains there, and reasonably priced stuff... and a nice day out if it's sunny. If you are in the market for big ticket stuff, then BV is worth the trip.

BV has repositioned itself over the last 10 years, gradually losing outlets of the high street names in favour of more upmarket designer brands. Even these, that at one time would be selling out down as low as 90% off their original price now tend more to shave off a few tens of per cent at most except seasonal sales.

Go ten minutes out of Marylebone to the London Designer Outlet at Wembley instead. You will at least save on the train fare.

Hi

I've also been to Bicester Village a few times, with my wife. I agree with the other gents who have posted - not worth it. You can get a wider selection of high-end fashion brands in Westfield Shepherd Bush (W London - on the Central line and other lines too), or even in the West End. Save yourself the trip and the time wasted.

Sounds like Bicester might be too much for my wallet to bear. I have my heart set on a Burberry scarf, and had hoped the Burberry outlet at Bicester might come in at something around 200 USD.

Thanks everyone for the good advice on options!

List price of a Burberry scarf is £335, so nearer $500 at the moment. The problem with Burberry in the UK is that the colour and check design is so often copied, that it's lost any kind of prestige... that probably isn't as true abroad. I don't advocate fakes... I simply wouldn't buy something that is so regularly faked for a few quid down the market, not cashmere admittedly.

In my experience, the discount centres tend to discount the things that people don't want, and they are struggling to sell. A simple scarf is likely to be in demand and therefore not heavily discounted, if at all.

A really nice cashmere scarf from Harrods or Selfridges, of no brand or own brand, would be far nicer and more special in my opinion... but it's not me that has to wear it.

Of course the shop selection at Wembley and Bicester are very different - but there was no info to go on what kind of outlet was best at first. I find Wembley infinitely more use than Bicester these days (although Swindon probably suits more than either) but that just me I guess ..

Hatfield Galleria is also on the list.

https://outlet-cdn.com/mallmap/the-galleria-outlet-mall.pdf