Bicester is a historical market town in Oxfordshire with plenty of amenities and attractions, which makes it easy to see why it’s a popular place to live.
In recent years, more families are making the move to the picturesque county of Oxfordshire to enjoy the best of both worlds - you can also enjoy living in a historic market town and experience life at a slower pace but it’s also close to major cities, Birmingham and London.
Within Bicester, you’ll find our development, Cala at Himley Village, a desirable community with a selection of new build homes from two- to five-bedrooms.
We’re sharing exactly why Bicester is the perfect place for your family to grow up.
1. Transport links in Bicester
Our Himley Village development is well connected to not just other local villages, but also to other locations further afield, making it the perfect location for commuters.
The local train station, Bicester Village, is less than 10 minutes away by car, or just a half an hour walk, from our development, getting you to Oxford in just ten minutes, and you can reach either London or Birmingham in about an hour. Bicester North railway station is also within walking distance. For those commuting by car, the M40 is only four miles from Himley Village, with easy access to London and Birmingham, making any commute simple.
2. Schools in Bicester
An important aspect for families looking to move home is ensuring there are good schools within the area. Near Himley Village is St Edburg’s CE Primary School, which educates children from the ages of 3 to 11, whilst Whitelands Academy caters for older children. Both schools are within minutes of our development.
For those interested in further education, you can get no better than the University of Oxford, which has been ranked by Times Higher Education as the world’s best university for eight years in a row.
Many of the colleges that make up Oxford open their doors to curious visitors who can explore the courtyards and gardens, as well as the chapel. Fun fact if you’re a Harry Potter fan - Christ Church was the setting for Hogwarts’ Great Hall.
3. Things to do in Bicester, Oxfordshire
Shop ‘til you drop at Bicester Village - Bicester is a shopper’s dream as it’s home to Bicester Village. Located just on the outskirts of the town, you’ll find the popular designer outlet shopping centre with more than 150 stores as well as restaurants to refuel after a busy day of retail therapy. You’ll find big names such as Pandora, Polo Ralph Lauren, The White Company and BOSS, and restaurants, such as Cecconi’s first location outside of London.
It’s not all designer outlets in Bicester. Every Friday at the market square in the town centre, Sheep Street holds a traditional market, where you can buy flowers, clothes, pre-loved booked, fresh produce as well as delicious sweet treats and cuisine from around the world. If you are looking to explore, wander through the streets where you’ll find thatched cottages and 16th century buildings. Car fanatics can visit Bicester Heritage, the UK's first ever business campus dedicated to historic motoring and aviation, and if you’re a history buff as well, it’s based in a former abandoned WW2 RAF bomber training station.
St Edburg’s Church - The history of Bicester dates back more than a thousand years, so many of the town’s buildings are considered places of historic interest, including the majestic St Edburg's Church, located just outside of the main town, and well worth a visit to admire the incredible architecture. The church has been open for the community for more than 900 years and it is still a functioning church with regular weekday and Sunday services.
Garth Park - Garth Park is a beautiful open green space surrounding Garth House, featuring formal gardens, play and picnic areas, manicured lawns and even the occasional concert. Those looking for a walking route are spoiled for choice. For example, the Hethe and Cottisford Circular is 7km pleasant trail starting off in Hethe and going through the countryside, Cottisford village and fields of farmland, before making its way back to Hethe.
Stoke Wood - Stoke Wood, or Stoke Lyne as its also called, is a delightful woodland rich in a mix of native and exotic plants and trees. You’ll also find tawny owl boxes throughout the park and some rare butterfly species which flit through the glades. The wood is the perfect place to take the dog for a leisurely walk, or why not attend one of the many events that happen regularly in the park
Blenheim Palace - The county of Oxfordshire is like something straight from a storybook, with towering buildings topped with spires and domes, meadows filled with lush flowers and a tranquil river to walk by. A must visit place in Oxfordshire is Blenheim Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has seen its share of prominent figures in British history, such as the 12th Duke of Marlborough and Winston Churchill. Blenheim Palace hosts plenty of events throughout the year, so keep an eye on its social calendar – especially at Christmas time for their festive experiences They also have an adventure park is for children.
4. New build homes in Bicester
If Bicester and the surrounding areas in Oxfordshire sound like a dream, find out more about our collection of two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom new build homes at Cala at Himley Village. If you are looking to reserve a home off-plan, read our blog for more information: ‘Your dream home: Buying off-plan with Cala Homes’.
