Designated as a new Garden Town, but with all the heritage and facilities of a long-established market town, Bicester has so much to offer.
Graven Hill has easy access to the road and rail network and is connected in all directions.
The surrounding countryside offers a relaxed and peaceful environment for walking and cycling. The Island Pond Wood nature reserve has a lovely circular walk around the wood, or closer to town, you can take a stroll around the beautiful gardens of Garth Park or Bure Park nature reserve. There are also historical walks around the town during the summer, so you can explore and learn about Bicester’s rich history and heritage.
Bicester also hosts many events from the Jazz Festival and Last Night of the Proms to the Big Lunch and the switching on of the Christmas Lights. There is always something happening in this vibrant community.
Or if you’re venturing further afield, look no further than Oxford. Only 12 miles from Bicester there are a wealth of theatres, museum, galleries and art collections. And for those who prefer to take in the shops, the new Westgate shopping centre is a must.
Connected at the junction is an interchange for the A34 towards Oxford, and A41 for Bicester and Aylesbury.
Graven Hill is now also served by Stagecoach’s H5 bus service from Bicester to Headington which connects its residents to Ambrosden, Islip and Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital.
There are connections to London Marylebone from both stations. Train times for both stations can be found on the Trainline website.
The East-West Rail project will open up connections through Cambridge, via Milton Keynes and Bedford, over the coming years. The first phase, connecting Oxford to Bicester town centre, opened in December 2016.
Graven Hill will have its own cafe and restaurants in due course. From Michelin star restaurants to country pubs and high teas nearby, there is something for every member of the family.
Attracting over 6 million visitors a year, its main shopping street is the same length as London’s Oxford Street, and just as buzzy. Open 7 days a week, the centre has more than 160 luxury designer outlet boutiques of British and international brands, covering fashion, beauty, lifestyle and homeware and offering savings of up to 60% on the recommended retail price all year round.
If you prefer a slightly quieter shopping experience, just a short distance away, in Bicester’s historic market town centre, you’ll also find many great independent shops as well as national chains on Sheep Street, Market Square and beyond.
There are weekly markets on Fridays in the town centre along with farmers’ markets and an occasional French market.
Cherwell District Council is encouraging Bicester residents to lead a healthy, more active lifestyle. Bicester’s green spaces are being used to create healthy environments and to encourage a community that promotes walking and cycling. As part of this, three five kilometre health routes have already been created around Bicester with more cycle and walking routes on the agenda.
Alongside the great open green spaces, there are a range of local fitness facilities. Whatever your sport, there is something for you nearby.
Graven Hill will also have its own primary school.
We’ve compiled a list of local school details for you here.
Full details of existing local schools can be found on the Oxfordshire County Council website, and you can see their Ofsted inspection reports here.
Brookside Primary School, Bucknell Road, Bicester, OX26 2DB
Bure Park Primary School, Lucerne Avenue, Bicester, OX26 3BP
Five Acres Primary School, E Hawthorn Rd, Ambrosden, Bicester OX25
Fritwell Church of England Primary School, East Street, Fritwell, Bicester, OX27 7PX
Gagle Brook Primary School, Charlotte Avenue, Bicester, OX27 8BD
Glory Farm School, Sunderland Drive, Bicester, OX26 4YJ
King’s Meadow School, Shakespeare Drive, Bicester, OX26 2LU
Langford Village Community Primary School, Peregrine Way, Bicester, OX26 6SX
Launton Church of England School, Launton, Bicester, OX26 5DP
Longfields Primary School and Nursery, Longfields, Bicester, OX26 6QL
Southwold Primary School, Holm Way, Bicester, OX26 3UU
St Edburg’s Church of England (VA) School, Pioneer Way, Bicester, OX26 1BF
Chesterton Church of England Primary School, Alchester Road, Chesterton, Bicester, OX26 1UN
Dr Radcliffe’s Church of England Primary School, Fir Lane, Steeple Aston, Bicester, OX25 4SF
Fringford Church of England Primary School, Fringford, Bicester, OX27 8DY
St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Queens Avenue, Bicester, OX26 2NX
The Bicester School, Queen’s Avenue, Bicester, OX26 2NS
The Cooper School, Churchill Road, Bicester, OX26 4RS
Bicester Technology Studio, Queen’s Avenue, Bicester, OX26 2NS
Heyford Park Free School, Upper Heyford, Bicester, OX25 5HD
Bardwell School, Hendon Pl, Bicester OX26 4RZ
Alchester Medical Group – Langford Medical Practice, Bicester
Alchester Medical Group – Victoria House Surgery, Bicester
Bicester Community Hospital, Bicester
Bicester Health Centre, Bicester
Churchill Hospital, Headington, Oxford
Montgomery-House Surgery, Bicester
John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford
Nuffield Health Oxford, The Manor Hospital, Oxford
Whether you are interested in history, horticulture or having fun with the kids, you are spoilt for choice around Graven Hill.
And many, many more.
Bicester has a long and fascinating history going back to Saxon times, and a very active local history society which explores every era from Bicester’s earliest days to its more recent military associations.
The 188-hectare site, which is home to Graven Hill, was once a Ministry of Defence base.