Merry Bicester!

Anna Bailey encourages us to get into the festive spirit at Bicester’s historic town centre and ancient markets

- Anna Bailey

Bicester lies on the border of Oxfordshire, where the Cotswolds meets the rest of the country, and although these days it is renowned for its popular duty-free shopping village, there is still plenty of typical Cotswold charm to be found in this historic town.

Take a stroll down historic Sheep Street, where Bicester’s market town atmosphere is still very much alive. Its 800-year-old market still runs every Friday in the adjacent Market Square, while Sheep Street’s Farmers’ Market, held every second Thursday in the month, is a must. On November 30 be sure not to miss the festive stalls and live music at this year’s Christmas Lights switch-on.

Explore the little businesses and pretty houses down Bicester’s many side streets, including the marvellous independent bookshop Coles on Crown Walk, then take a stroll through Garth Park and admire Garth House, a grand 19th-century building with a rather charming wonky spire. Formerly a hunting lodge, it now serves as the seat of Bicester Town Council, and is surrounded by recreational facilities and lovingly tended parkland and gardens.