Bicester is an historic Oxfordshire market town. In recent times it has become a major tourist destination thanks to the arrival of two major shopping developments, Bicester Village and Bicester Avenue. Bicester hosts a number of events in the town and the delightful Garth Park, ranging from the Jazz Festival to Last Night of the Proms.
Bicester Town
Bicester derives its name from the Saxon meaning ‘the fort of the warriors’ and is mentioned in the Domesday Book. This historic market town is now one of the fastest growing towns in Oxfordshire.
It started but as a small agricultural market town and examples of its
original half-timbered buildings remain. There are many places of historic
interest to see, including the 17th century Dovecote; St. Edburg’s Church built
in 1104 and boasting a Saxon arch and Norman font; the Old Priory; and the Old
Vicarage – Bicester’s oldest house, built around 1500. An Augustinian Priory was
founded in the late 12th century and for over 400 years its church and shrine
became a pilgrimage centre.
Bicester offers a wide range of amenities, with many shops, cafés and restaurants to suit all tastes. The highly picturesque Garth Park, with its award-winning gardens, hosts a range of activities and concerts throughout the year, including Picnic and Proms in the Park in June and the annual Jazz Festival that takes place in August.
The Market Square still features many of its original 16th century buildings. It holds a traditional market-day (now in Sheep Street) every Friday, as well as a Farmers’ Market on the second Thursday of every month, and other speciality markets throughout the year. A £70 million re-development of the town centre is being planned which will include a new shopping centre and multi-screen cinema.
The town has a long-standing connection with the military. During the first world war an airfield was established north of the town for the Royal Flying Corps. This is now Bicester Airfield, the home of Windrushers Gliding Club, which took over the airfield when the military left the airfield in 2004. The British Army's largest supply depot and garrison is located just outside of the town.
To help you explore this fine example of an old wool market town, explore the Historic Town Trail.
Bicester Avenue
Bicester's newest attraction is the Bicester Avenue Garden Centre and Retail Park. The award winning park features one of the UK’s largest garden centres, along with a number of home and leisure shops and selection of restaurants and café's.
Bicester Avenue is about one mile from Bicester Town station and can be reached by following the path signposted to Bicester Village. At the end of the path, turn right and follow Pingle Drive past Bicester Village and a Tesco store to a roundabout. At the roundabout, turn right along a shared cycle/footpath, crossing a further roundabout. Bicester Avenue is at the end of the path.
Further information: www.bicesteravenue.info
The surrounding area
Bicester is surrounded by some delightful countryside, including Fringford,
four miles north of Bicester on the A4421 Buckingham Road, where you can step
back in time and explore the village where Flora Thompson based her trilogy
'Lark Rise to Candleford'.
Cherwell District Council have published a circular walk around Fringford titled the "Fringford Historic Village Trail". The trail takes you on a one and a quarter mile long historical stroll around this delightful Oxfordshire village.
The trail starts from the village pub, the Butchers Arms. There are some great things to look out for including cottages, Fringford Manor, and Ghost Alley. The classic setting of a medieval village around the Green survives to this day. The Old Forge, now a private dwelling, used to be the forge and later the sub-post office where Flora Thompson worked as assistant postmistress from 1891 to 1897.
A leaflet about the life of Flora Thompson has recently been republished by Cherwell District Council.
Further information: www.visitnorthoxfordshire.com