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Original poster

Bicester Outlet

20 replies

Laffielle · 30/12/2021 13:50

Is it worth a trip, are the discounts good or is it just still pricey designer shops? It's a four hour round trip and I have £200 to spend. Wondering if it's worth it.

OP posts:
GiveMeMyKeys · 30/12/2021 13:52

Imo it's still pricey designer shops, personally I wouldn't drive 2 hours with a £200 budget. Do you have any of the smaller outlet places nearer by?

Original poster
Laffielle · 30/12/2021 13:52

Gunwharf is closer but not much there imo

OP posts:
NoNameHere12 · 30/12/2021 13:53

Don’t want to burst your bubble but with £200 don’t even bother, that won’t get you far at all as it’s not that cheap

Original poster
Laffielle · 30/12/2021 13:55

OK that's what I needed to know, thank you

OP posts:
Snoopsnoggysnog · 30/12/2021 13:57

Why don’t you have a look at the shops that are there and work out if that type of shop is within your normal budget? I’d go with £200

Original poster
Laffielle · 30/12/2021 13:58

I've looked but wasn't sure how much it is discounted

OP posts:
MerryChristmasToYou · 30/12/2021 14:02

I haven't been for years. I used to go a few times a year - it's about an hour's drve and got some good things and some things bought because they were cheap

The last time I went was quite a few years ago and I went because I was in the area, and just wasn't in the mood. I've not been back.

I've just looked at what shops they have and I might go again.

As others have said, £200 won't go far there.

If I were you, I'd plan a weekend in the area or something to justify the journey

Hereforthedramaz · 30/12/2021 14:05

I'd definitely go with £200. I went in autumn and spent £200-300 in North Face, Timberland, sweaty Betty, etc for reference.

There are still plenty of non high end shops, just skip past the insanely expensive ones!

FYI go as early as you possibly can, ideally be there for opening. The worst thing about it is how horrendously busy it gets, but then I'm Oxford so it's easy to go super early!

PomRuns · 30/12/2021 14:28

There are some more affordable shops: white company, molton Brown, Emma bridge water, Ted baker.
Ralph Lauren - if you like, had jumpers/tops around £50.
Timberland/ugg - £50 ish
Tory Burch - possible to get a bag for less than £200, or kate spade, coach.

PomRuns · 30/12/2021 14:29

Cross posted with @Hereforthedramaz 🙂

Hereforthedramaz · 30/12/2021 14:44

@PomRuns

There are some more affordable shops: white company, molton Brown, Emma bridge water, Ted baker. Ralph Lauren - if you like, had jumpers/tops around £50. Timberland/ugg - £50 ish Tory Burch - possible to get a bag for less than £200, or kate spade, coach.
Oh yes the White Company Outlet can be great.

There is the cosmetics store too and other cosmetics/ make up if that's your thing.

Also, and I'm not sure how much notice they give in advance, but they do entire village discount periods. They did an extra 20% off everything a while ago so might be worth trying to line up with one of those OP if it's a big trip.

BoodleBug51 · 30/12/2021 14:49

DD goes regularly, it's around an hour from us. It can be very hit and miss to be honest - sometimes she comes back with lots, other times empty handed.

She is obsessed with the Emma Bridgewater shop and Molton Brown.

gunnersgold · 30/12/2021 15:20

Bicester is very high end now ! Not like it used to be . I find high end designer very chintzy tbh! And a lot of the sizes are very small! There was quite a good sale on sweaty Betty and mulberry is well priced but that's about it for me . All saints was full of rubbish . I actually prefer gunwharf because it's more normal , and we always go to cascades after !

Totalwasteofpaper · 30/12/2021 16:03

You will honestly fare much better on Oxford Street at selfridges liberty john Lewis etc.

I LOVE bargains and can't stand bicester....

windmill26 · 30/12/2021 17:03

I wouldn't drive 4 hours if my spending budget was £200 as with outlets you never know what you'll find.You could be very lucky and manage to find a "tresure" or you will walk away empty handed and disappointed. At Gunwharf you have The White Company,Coach ,Reiss, Ugg,American Vintage,Polo,Mint Velvet,Kate Spade,Lacoste plus a few more,so there is no need for you to drive that far if this are the shops you'll end up targeting. If you have a particular item in mind I would have a look online on Harrods,Selfridges,Harvey Nichols etc...

ajandjjmum · 30/12/2021 17:45

Bicester Village is one of those places I look forward to visiting, but 9 times out of 10 leave disappointed.

I now only visit when I'm passing - and if it's the right time of day.

PicpoulDeMeNay · 30/12/2021 18:16

I live 15 mins from Bicester Village and very rarely go - it used to be good in the old days when they had more 'normal' shops but now it's very designer-y. I last went about 3 years ago as I needed a dress for a black tie do (those were the days....) and so knew Ted Baker would likely come up trumps - which it did!
I much prefer Gunwharf even though it's nearly 2 hours from me - luckily I had a client there, so used to combine work with a shop Grin

Original poster
Laffielle · 30/12/2021 18:36

Thanks everyone. Gunwharf it is then

OP posts:
Hereforthedramaz · 30/12/2021 18:42

Might be of no help at all but I find the Swindon outlet really good too. Definitely more high street than Bicester, but more variety than Gunwharf (I think but I have only been the Gunwharf once!)

WhoppingBigBackside · 30/12/2021 19:30

I've been to the Swindon one a few times

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