Bicester

Bicester is a town and civil parish in Oxfordshire, England, located in the Cherwell district about 15 miles north of Oxford. It sits near the A41 and the M40 corridor, and serves as a commercial and residential hub for surrounding rural areas. The town has undergone substantial growth in recent decades and contains a mix of historic streets and new housing developments.

Historically, Bicester developed as a market town with agriculture and trade at its core. The arrival of transport links in the 18th and 19th centuries contributed to its expansion, and later 20th-century housing development transformed it into a commuter and retail centre. The presence of RAF Bicester from the First World War era added to its profile, and the site has since developed into a center for motorsports and heritage activities.

Bicester is best known for its shopping destination, the Bicester Village outlet retail centre, which attracts visitors from across the United Kingdom and beyond. The town is also associated with major housing projects such as Graven Hill, one of the UK’s largest self-build initiatives, and with Bicester Heritage, a facility on the former RAF airfield that hosts classic-car events and related businesses. These developments have shaped the town’s modern economy and community life.

Transport links include proximity to the national road network, with the M40 nearby and the A41 running through the town. Rail services connect Bicester with Oxford and other towns via regional routes, supporting commuting and tourism. The town supports several primary and secondary schools and remains connected to higher education opportunities in Oxford and further afield.