Birmingham or Bicester?

[HLBug]

If you had a whole day to spend pottering around, bit of money to spend, and wanted some quality alone weekday shopping time with no kids, where would you go - Birmingham City Centre (Bullring etc) or Bicester Village?

I'm flying into Birmingham International so can easily get the train to either. I arrive early morning but not meeting family until dinner time so I have the whole day to myself and I'm giddy with excitement

Birmingham ... Bicester is really high end and pricey.. not many bargains

Birmingham is a fabulous city for shopping/eating/people watching/pottering.

Bicester is horrid. Full of orange tanned people in white cropped trousers wearing Pandora charm bracelets and carrying Radley bags. Labels are everything. Nowhere nice to eat. Just a row of plastic shops with plastic sales assistants. Lots of last season tat at ridiculous prices in size 4/6.

I've personally never cared if something is 'last season' but Bicester is a bit crap now it has to be said, it used to have shops like all saints which had stuff really heavily discounted I got a £400 for £60 and a £250 bag for £40. But it isn't there anymore and as PP have said it's all the really top end designers now that are still £££.

I'd go for the bullring, still high end stuff if you want it but also highstreet and better food selection. Enjoy yourself OP, I'm very envious I'd love a day of solo shopping!

nutnerk I'm sold on your itinerary, thank you

Now I just need to wait until mid-November... waaaaaaahh. Oh, actually, that might mean Christmas stuff too?!

I've been looking at the Bull Ring and Grand Central websites and have a "priority" store list already sorted in my head - Selfridges (obvs), Cos, Irregular Choice, Mango, Whistles...etc etc. I used to live in a lovely big cosmopolitan city but a few years ago moved to, well, the back end of beyond. My god do I miss a decent day of shopping... and online browsing just isn't the same!!

Not Bicester!

I don't care for Bicester either, but that's because I think the shops are crap, not because I feel a sense of superiority over the other shoppers.

Also in Birmingham train station, now renamed Grand Central, there's lots of great places to eat. Fab burritos and Leon's is excellent if you like healthy, tasty food!

If you are there after the 16th Nov., then the Christmas Market will be on. Lovely for a wander through (sadly also attracts pickpockets so keep your bag close).
If you want an hour out of the shops then go to the new Library for a look round and a view across the City from the top.
Enjoy