Bicester Village’s new travel journal makes shopping feel like a summer romance

There’s something old-worldly and romantic about reading a newspaper in print—especially when it lists the most charming cappuccino stops, the best boutiques to browse, and the sunniest corners of an English summer escape. This season, The Bicester Collection has beautifully captured that very feeling with The Villager, a debut print journal that transforms a day of shopping at Bicester Village London into a storybook-worthy itinerary.

More than a shopping guide, The Villager reads like a love letter to the art of travel—specifically, the kind that begins on the cobbled streets of London and ends under golden Cotswolds skies. Think: fashion finds before noon, pasta in Marylebone for lunch, and a countryside walk at dusk that feels like stepping into a Jane Austen daydream.

You’ll find this beautifully crafted newspaper at The Village News—a quaint newsstand nestled within Bicester Village London. It marks the first in a series from The Bicester Collection, which spans nine luxury shopping destinations across Europe, and offers an elevated take on what it means to explore with style.

The launch also coincides with a significant milestone—Bicester Village London’s 30th anniversary. Opened in 1995, the Village has spent three decades redefining luxury shopping as an experience that blends fashion, culture, and discovery. This summer’s activations—including The Villager and The Village News—are an ode to that journey.

For those planning their next trip to the UK, the first issue of The Villager includes three bespoke travel itineraries: one for fashion lovers, another for food enthusiasts, and a third for seekers of nature’s quiet poetry. Each itinerary is designed as a two-day escape—pairing the buzz of shopping in London with the serenity of the English countryside, and spotlighting boutiques, bistros, and bucolic views along the way.

But the charm doesn’t stop at print. This summer, The Village News evolves into a sanctuary for creative souls. In collaboration with Phaidon Books, the space will showcase a rotating curation of literary gems across food, garden, and travel writing—perfect for those who prefer their luxury shopping with a side of prose.

Fridays in July strike their own rhythm, too. As part of Bicester Village London’s Summer Sessions, the open terraces will come alive with live music, artisanal cocktails, and curated menus—a scene that recalls the golden age of European summers, with just the right touch of glamour.

Of course, The Bicester Collection’s signature VIP services remain central to the experience. With six apartment lounges dressed in classic English elegance and stocked with complimentary refreshments, guests can pause between purchases without missing a beat. Hands-free shopping, valet parking, private fitting rooms, home delivery, and personalised concierge services—including designer previews, intimate lunches, and guest-speaker events—make the day feel effortlessly tailored.

Even better? Fashion finds here may also earn you airline rewards, thanks to partnerships with major frequent flyer programmes like Emirates Skywards, Qatar Privilege Club, Etihad Guest, and more—turning a luxury shopping day into an international affair.

And for those who believe shopping should also give back, proceeds from The Village News support The Bicester Collection’s Do Good initiative—ensuring that your indulgence contributes to a greater good.

So whether you're planning your next fashion-forward holiday or simply daydreaming of labels between meadows and stone cottages, The Villager might just be the perfect place to begin. A map that turns shopping into memory, and luxury into lifestyle.

Lead image: Jenna Foxton

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