If you're a fashion enthusiast with a penchant for luxury brands, then you've likely heard of The Bicester Collection. This global network of designer outlet villages offers a unique shopping experience, combining high-end fashion with a touch of luxury.
I recently had the pleasure of visiting two of these iconic villages, one in the UK and the other in Spain: Bicester Village London and La Roca Village Barcelona. Both destinations offer visitors a captivating blend of world-class shopping, stunning architecture, and delicious dining options.
Bicester Village, London
Getting There
Located just outside of London—less than an hour—Bicester Village is a haven for fashion lovers.
To visit Bicester Village by train, you can easily reach it via the village's dedicated train station, which connects to central London in just one hour. The village boasts its own dedicated train station, making it a breeze to reach by rail. Hop on a train from London Marylebone Station and arrive at Bicester Village Station in under an hour. Its proximity to Central London makes Bicester Village easily accessible for a day trip or a weekend getaway. If you've got a car or prefer driving, Bicester Village is conveniently located off just the M40 motorway, with ample free parking available on-site.
For a comfortable and convenient stay, I would recommend considering a stay in Oxford, the historic city with plenty of charm and character. Located just a 30-minute drive from Bicester Village, Oxford offers a wide range of accommodation options, from cozy cottages to luxurious hotels.
The Location & Ambiance
The village's elegant architecture and well-organised layout create a serene shopping experience. And one of the first thing that caught my eye was the impressive scale of the luxury brand stores, some of which spanned multiple floors like Ralph Lauren for example. The range of luxury brands is truly impressive, from iconic fashion labels like Prada and Gucci to classic contemporary designers like Loro Piana.
For those seeking an extra touch of luxury, Bicester Village offers exclusive VIP suites with personalised services. These suites are perfect for shoppers who want to relax in style, with dedicated personal shoppers on hand to assist with everything from outfit coordination to tax-free shopping. With more than 140 stores, you're bound to find something that suits your taste and your style.
The open-air atmosphere, particularly during the festive and winter months adds a touch of charm to the indulgent shopping experience.
Plenty of Dining Options
The village features several restaurants and cafes, including several halal options.
During my visit I chose to try Cecconi's, an authentic Italian eatery with a a classic Italian menu, featuring handmade pasta, fresh seafood, and wood-fired pizzas. The first Cecconi's opened London's Mayfair in 1978 and quickly became a favourite among celebrities and locals alike, and it certainly lived up to this reputation.
If you're feeling hungry during your visit there are plenty of options such as farmshop restaurant & cafe, La Tua Pasta, Ottolenghi or Shan Sui, alongside a selection of delicious bakeries and patisseries like Bisous Bisous and Laduree, and of course coffee shops such as the famous Ralph's and Lindt Chocolate.
Open daily from 9:00am – 9:00pm
@bicestervillage
thebicestercollection.com
La Roca Village, Barcelona
Getting There
Located less than an hour from Barcelona, La Roca Village is easily accessible by train, car, or even bus.
If you travel by car, you'll find plenty of free parking and electric charging points. Or begin your shopping adventure with a 30-minute train journey from Barcelona Sants to Granollers Centre. From the Granollers Centre station, the La Roca Village is just a short taxi or bus ride away. Visitors can avail of the official luxury coach service that shuttles between central Barcelona's Estació del Nord directly to the La Roca Village, and back again. Should you use this service, you can get an additional 10% off any purchases made in the village.
Location & The Ambiance
Just outside Barcelona, La Roca Village provides a Mediterranean escape for luxury shoppers. As part of The Bicester Collection, the shopping village offers a unique blend of high-end brands and stunning Spanish architecture. In addition to international brands, La Roca Village also features a selection of Spanish designers, offering a unique shopping experience.
Upon arriving at the village, the first thing that caught our attention were the striking colours of the village's buildings, the beautiful murals, and the palm trees that adorn the place. I would describe the village as having a summer vibe, whereas Bicester Village in London has a wholesome wintery feel, although the time of year (October) might have just a little something to do with this. The village's vibrant architecture and outdoor setting create a relaxed and inviting atmosphere.
Plenty of Dining Options
With a plethora of restaurants and cafes, including halal options, there is bound to be something to suit all tastes, La Roca Village is not only a shopping destination but a go-to location for delicious eats. Grab a light bite at Fire & Bread, traditional Spanish tapas at Andreu or enjoy fresh Mediterranean fare at Corso Iluzione, and satisfy your sweet tooth at Farggi 1957.
For lunch, we chose Mordisco, and it was an absolutely fantastic dining experience. We enjoyed some famous Spanish dishes, such as paella, which gave us the chance to savour authentic Spanish cuisine, adding a special and delightful touch to our experience.
Gala Dalí Castle - Awakening of the Legend Exhibition
During my visit to La Roca Village, we stopped at the Gala Salvador Dalí Castle. Located about an hour from La Roca Village, it felt as though we had entered a world filled with creativity and timeless stories. Although beautiful in its own right, the castle brings visitors on a journey through the life of Gala, Dalí's eternal muse.
The "Awakening of the Legend" exhibition at the castle, which as been brought to life in collaboration between La Roca Village and the Dalí Museum, we caught a glimpse at Gala’s unique outfits, these pieces reflected the muse's strong and distinctive personality. This exhibition also showcased and illustrated the deep connection between Gala and Dalí, as she was a source of inspiration for many of his famous works.
Opening daily from 10am - 9pm
@larocavillage
larocavillage.com
The Apartment - Luxury Shopping Suite
Both Bicester Village London and La Roca Village Barcelona offer an exclusive private shopping experience through its luxury suites, dedicated to VIPs and special clients, called The Apartment.
These suites are usually accessible by an exclusive invitation from the village or one of the brands within it. Upon entering one of these suites, we admired the elegant design that combines classic and modern touches, creating an atmosphere of luxury and refinement. The suites offer exceptional services such as private rooms for changing clothes, where you can try on items in a comfortable setting. If the clothes don’t fit, you can relax and enjoy a cup of coffee while the personal shopper—one of the services offered by Bicester Village's luxury suites—takes care of returning to the store to get the correct size.
In addition, the personal shopper can accompany you on a tour of Bicester Village stores, assisting you in selecting and coordinating outfits based on your preferences and needs, making your shopping experience more personalised and seamless. Ideal for Saudi visitors or other shoppers from Arabic-speaking nations, as a selection of the personal shoppers on hand can also speak Arabic, making for a seamless and smooth shopping experience.
Personal Shopping Rooms
Separate to The Apartment, the Bicester Collection's personal shopping rooms are available to anyone, without any special invitation or shopping status. Ideal for those shopping for a special occasion such as a birthday or maybe a wedding, you can easily book the personal shopper service through the Bicester Collection website depending on the shopping village you will be visiting.
The personal shopper will guide you through the stores, assisting you with selecting and coordinating pieces and outfits. Very helpful for those travelling from Saudi or the Middle East, there are always personal shoppers available who can speak Arabic, making your shopping experience easier.
Hands-Free Shopping
If you're going on a shopping spree, or simply don't want to lug your bags around for the whole day - be sure to avail of the Bicester Collection's 'hands-free shopping' experience.
Available to anyone that has signed up to be a member of the Bicester Collection, all you have to do is pick and purchase, and the Bicester team will collect and pack all of your purchases, keeping them safe and ready for you to collect at the end of the day.
Airline Partners
Don't miss out on exclusive air miles and bonus points when shopping at Bicester Collection. Shop and earn miles with a number of frequent flyer, and air miles reward programmes from airlines such as Asia Miles, AerClub, British Airways Executive Club, Emirates Skywards, Etihad Guest and Qatar Privilege Club for example.
To avail of your additional points, all you have to do is send an email to the dedicated rewards team, with your proof of reward programme membership, along with your shopping receipts from any of the Bicester Collection villages in Europe and the UK, with an edited image of the bank card used (displaying only your name and the last 4 digits).
Tax Free Shopping
Lucky for me, visitors from outside the EU and those who are resident outside the EU, can enjoy tax-free shopping at any of the Bicester Collection Villages in Europe. For example, you can save at least 12%, if not more on any purchases of over €80 at La Roca Village stores. The minimum purchase cost varies from location to location, so be sure to check the website.
All you have to do is request a tax-free form at the store, this is then signed by the store staff member and you fill in other details yourself in order to collect this refund. Then when you're leaving the country, take your completed tax refund forms, receipts, passport and purchases to the customs office or in-airport kiosk, where your form will be then be validated and submitted.
For more information, visit global-blue.com and planetpayment.com
What Should You Do Before Visiting These Villages?
Ahead of your visit to any of the Bicester Collection locations, I recommend that you sign up as a member ahead of your visit. This way, you can see the latest openings, get a first look at any discounts and offers from the stores and boutiques and have quick access to your loyalty profile. You can also download the Bicester Village app here, and the La Roca Village app here.
If you consider yourself an avid shopper, I would also recommend wearing comfortable shoes on your visit to any of the Bicester Village location, as you could be walking around all day - and its best to be comfortable in doing so. Also make sure to take into account the time of year, you might need a jacket, or in Bicester Village London, you might occasionally need an umbrella during the winter months.
For more information about Bicester Collection membership, click here.
About The Bicester Collection
The Bicester Collection is a leading luxury shopping destination group, which operates a network of designer outlet villages across Europe, China, and North America.
These villages offer a unique shopping experience, featuring a wide range of luxury brands at discounted prices. The villages house a diverse selection of renowned luxury brands, offering a wide range of products, from fashion and accessories to homeware and beauty. Shoppers and Bicester Collection members can enjoy exclusive discounts and promotions throughout the year, and visitors can avail of a range of personalised services, such as VIP shopping experiences, personal shoppers, and luggage storage.
The Bicester Village Group is committed to delivering exceptional customer experiences and providing a luxurious shopping environment.
