A trip to Bicester offers a choice of very different interests: medieval church history, a centre for restoring and displaying classic vehicles, a car-free shopping centre and outdoor leisure. There are also direct train connections to Birmingham, Oxford and London. Start by considering which themes you would like to shape your stay; this will help you make sense of the different things on offer.
Church history in Bicester
The medieval St Edburg's Church is the oldest surviving building in Bicester. The St Edburg's Foundation puts together exhibitions and organises walks around the church and its immediate surroundings. Along the way, it points out numerous interesting features that bring the church's history to life.
The Old Priory may have been the hospice of Bicester Priory. This cautious historical interpretation adds another facet to the picture of Bicester, without presenting its possible former function as an established fact.
Vehicle history and historic buildings
Bicester Heritage is the UK's first centre specifically established for the restoration and display of vintage and classic cars, motorcycles and aircraft. The focus is therefore on vehicles and their restoration—a different way of exploring history from the heritage associated with St Edburg's Church.
Bicester Motion's story began in 2013 with the purchase of the site of the former RAF Bicester Bomber Training Station from the Second World War. The 444-acre site is of national historic significance. Under Bicester Motion's management, 99 per cent of the buildings on the site have been carefully restored or brought back into use for modern business purposes.
Playground, park and community orchard
The natural playground in Garth Park features climbing frames, climbing nets and slides, as well as bridges, stepping stones and pebble streams. This clearly describes the different elements of the play area: in addition to opportunities for climbing and sliding, there are routes across bridges and stepping stones, as well as pebble streams.
Garth Park's gardens host a summer programme of music events. As the event schedule may change, check the dates before your trip. Bicester's first community orchard is open to visitors and is a good place for walking, picnicking and relaxing.
Shopping, gin tasting and getting there
Bicester Village is a car-free, open-air shopping centre with more than 150 boutiques. If you would like to include shopping in your stay, it offers a clear focus alongside the church and vehicle history attractions.
At Sky Wave, an event lasts 75 minutes. The hosts introduce the history of Sky Wave, show you the stills and lead a gin tasting.
Bicester has direct train connections to Birmingham, Oxford and London. A regular direct service runs from London Marylebone to Bicester Village station; the journey takes 46 minutes (as of 1 September 2026). Journey times may change, so check the timetable for your travel date.
Find hotels in Bicester
Search for hotels in Bicester and check the location, terms and availability of individual options against your own plans.
Discover more destinations: Charney Bassett, Drayton, Hailey, Holton, Culham, Hook Norton, Mollington, Adderbury.
View the wider travel guide: Oxfordshire.
