Overview

An excellent visit, ideal disabled friendly attractive shopping village. On 17th April 2015, Cherwell district council approved the development to construct retails units and 519 parking spaces at Bicester, and this delightful shopping village was opened on 19th October 2017. You will find a blend of unique boutiques, offering all year round, quality items, many at sale prices, with passionate designers, and international brands, that make the village a delightful luxury shopping experience, but be prepared, you will be tempted, and you will need lots of money if you wish to go beyond what you would normally do, but my, will you enjoy the day, even if it’s only window shopping, trying, or even buying, but you only have between 9.00am and 1900, so go for it and enjoy. All the boutiques may be used by wheelchair users, many can even support larger power chairs as well, and for those shops with an upper floor level, then many have lifts available. The village welcomes assistance dogs, and they and yourselves will find seating areas throughout the village. Parking is easy enough, it’s free, and accessible parking spaces may be found close to the shops you need, and all seven washrooms have accessible toilets that are clean and well looked after, with pull cord and grab rails, and wider doors for easy use. For your enjoyment at this lovely village, may we suggest you arrive as early as you can, shops open at 9.00am, midweek is best, and be ready to find it very busy from 11am onwards, before it eases off late afternoon until closing time. It’s a very busy place, 6.6 million visitors recorded, so be ready to be patient, and just take it easy, and you will enjoy the experience. There are a number of delightful restaurants for you, where you will be well looked after and given support as a disabled person. One amazing statistic is that the village claims that only Buckingham Palace gets more visitors than the village, many being Chinese, who are fascinated by its appeal of cut price offers, and that of being able to claim back VAT offered to non EU visitors, which is well published by the Chinese tourist board, and its described as a “must do place” for London visitors. OUR REVIEW On arrival, the car park is huge, (photo 1) and has hundreds of parking spaces, and so many disabled bays all along the front of the shopping area (2). There are four lovely inviting entrances, the first central entry (3) with Gucci facing you, ideal chance to look though !!! It’s such an attractive and inviting street, (4) to go along and nose at your leisure. So many difffernt shops (5) all interesting, and everywhere is ideal for wheelchairs, scooters and power chairs. Scattered around are delightful containers with plants in them, just makes it all look so nice (6). Delightful outside sitting areas (7) which on a warm summer day would be a must and watch the world go by. Do pay Wolseley restaurant a visit (8) it looks so inviting from the outside, and then inside it is beautifully done, the black effect looks so effective (9). The ambience throughout the place is good (10) the bar is well stocked (11) and ready for you. The coffee was very good, and so was the large sausage bab (12) according to my husband. The prices in here are just above a normal coffee shop cost, but they do add a 15% service charge to your bill. Cheek.! The entrance to the toilets are unbelievable (13) walking along through shrubs and flowers attractively arranged, inside has plenty of room (14) in clean areas, and the disabled toilets (15) have room for any chair to turn, spotlessly clean, with pull cord and grab rails. Lots to view when back on the street (16) as you finally head towards the car park, and there are still more shops for you to delight you (17). If like myself you like Radley bags, (18) as seen on TV channels, you can spend a little time browsing here at some of their purses and bags (19) and we were told they had an upstairs, and if so we do not know if they had a lift, as some of the other shops have. Then sadly it’s back to the car park (20). OUR FINAL THOUGHTS This is a must, you don’t need to spend a penny, but just to look around is fascinating. The whole place is so clean, attractive and inviting. We strongly recommend a visit.

Transport & Parking

Hundreds of parking spaces, disabled bays all near the front for shops, staff readily willing to support you.

Access

Throughout the village there is amply space for you to get around, even though it can be really full at times. There are no steps, it’s all flat and easy to get around, and we certainly saw everything. Plenty of seating areas for tired legs and heavy bags.

Toilets

Outstandingly clean and easy to get to, room for all chairs and will be able to spin around in there. Grab rails and pull cord. Changing place as well.

Staff

Everyone willing and supporting, all well dressed and attentive, and warmly invited you to enjoy your visit.

Photos