With the summer on our doorstep, the time to upgrade and elevate our fine-weather wardrobes is now, but we wouldn’t blame you for putting off a trip to central London. Who wants to navigate a hot overcrowded tube or streets log-jammed with traffic (and don’t get us started on parking), only to then find yourself in a huge impersonal store fighting it out with the crowds for your favourite designer brands? Good luck finding a table for lunch, too.

Discerning luxury shoppers who value the joy of the experience as much as the thrill of new fashion finds have swapped the headaches of London shopping for the seamless and infinitely more relaxed excursion to Bicester Village, the world- class luxury shopping destination set in the heart of the stunning Oxfordshire countryside. With over 150 of the world’s most sought-after and renowned luxury brands across fashion, beauty and homeware, Bicester Village is a bucolic vision of Bond Street, and only an hour from Marylebone Station.

Where else can you find so many of the world’s best luxury brands rubbing shoulders in such a beautiful space? From stealth wealth icons such as Brunello Cucinelli, Jil Sander and Zegna, to luxury streetwear labels such as Off-White and Palm Angels, there isn’t a high-end wardrobe that Bicester Village can’t cater for. No matter what your personal style is, you’ll find a plethora of both on-trend and classic style genres. That said, you’d be forgiven for thinking Bicester Village was just a fashion destination. In fact, it also hosts one of the most eclectic curations of iconic beauty brands, accessories, luxury watchmakers, and homeware producers anywhere in the world.

Shopping the aforementioned labels at value prices, in an environment of beautifully landscaped pedestrianised streets, which have been modelled on the surrounding Oxfordshire villages, should be more than enough reason to get out of London, but that doesn’t even begin to reveal the upside to making the short trip out to Bicester Village. For one thing, the concierge team is truly outstanding. Through Bicester Village’s Personal Shopping service, for example, you can choose a dedicated stylist to hand pick garments according to your wardrobe needs and have them waiting for you on arrival in one of the private personal shopping suites. The hugely experienced personal shopping team know the boutiques and their individual collections better than anyone else, saving you valuable time and energy finding exactly what you need for a stunning summer wardrobe.

Shopping can of course be hungry work, which is exactly why Bicester Village has launched a number of Shop and Dine packages to make the day that much more stress free. Dine out on farmhouse fare at The Farmshop Restaurant & Café; or replenish your energy at La Tua, the award- winning artisan pastificio; or indulge your senses at the temple of Asian cuisine that is Shan Shui. Your parking will be taken care of, as will your shopping bags – all you need to do is sit down and enjoy a fabulous three-course meal at your leisure.

As well as some of the most prestigious labels in luxury fashion, Bicester Village has some new arrivals to further enrich the shopping experience this summer: beauty shoppers can now indulge in the natural products of British skincare icon Cowshed, as well as the award-winning and sustainably sourced scents of British fragrance house Floral Street. And if you want to walk away with a few extra diamonds in your ears, drop by the new boutique of piercing artist and jeweller Maria Tash, who has quickly developed a cult following for her stunning earrings and unique placements (Rihanna, Lewis Hamilton and Hailey Bieber are all fans).

The cherry on the Bicester Village cake, however, is the membership scheme which affords members invitations to Private Sale; access to Members’ Week, exclusive boutique offers; and a birthday celebration. What’s more, with each purchase you make, your membership points accrue, giving you early access to Private Sale, hands-free shopping, and invitations to special events. All you have to do to gain access to all of these benefits is visit thebicestercollection.com to register your membership. If there’s a more rewarding and value-driven way to experience luxury shopping, we haven’t found it yet. So next time you begin to feel the dread of a central London shopping trip coming on, just remember that Bicester Village is the most perfect antidote.

bicestervillage.com