Why Bicester? | Graven Hill

Enjoy all Bicester has to offer

Living at Graven Hill means you will be able to enjoy the beautiful scenery nearby or take advantage of the many events and activities on offer throughout the year.

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.

Travel by road
Travel by rail

Travel by Road

Bicester is in an excellent location for access to the national motorway network. Just three miles away is Junction 9 of the M40, which links Bicester with the national motorway network.

30 minutes from Oxford
1 hour from London
1 hour 30 minutes from Birmingham

Connected at the junction is an interchange for the A34 towards Oxford, and A41 for Bicester and Aylesbury.

Travel by Rail

The town has two mainline railway stations, Bicester North and Bicester Village.

14 minutes to Oxford
46 minutes to London
1 hour 15 minutes to Birmingham

There are connections to London Marylebone from both stations.

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.

Pubs, bars and restaurants

With a host of independent restaurants, pubs, bars and cafés in town, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to food and drink in Bicester.

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.

Shopping to suit all tastes

Bicester is well known for its world-famous Bicester Village designer shopping outlet, but there’s so much more to see.

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.

Stay healthy in Bicester

Bicester was chosen for the Healthy New Town Programme in 2016.

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, two five kilometre health routes have already been created around Bicester with more cycle and walking routes on the agenda.

Venture further afield

Great days out are on your doorstep.

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.

Historic Bicester

Graven Hill is now writing a new chapter in Bicester’s rich history.

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.