Shopoholics Heaven
Whatever your shopping tastes, Oxford and Oxfordshire will provide that special shopping experience from independent boutiques to high street favourites.
Bicester Village is one of the country's most popular designer outlets, with over 130 luxury collections set in delightful open-air pedestrianised streets. You'll find high end Brands at bargain prices. Make this your first stop.
In the city of Oxford there are high street names - at the Westgate and Clarendon Centres - and discounts at the John Allen Centre. Dotted around the city centre are specialist shops selling everything from hand-made shoes, antique and designer jewellery, to fantasy cakes. Home to the cavernous underground Norrington Room (10,000sq.ft.) is Blackwell's Bookshop on Broad Street, first opened in 1879. Pop into the Covered Market for a real local shopping experience and pick up some unique food items.
Oxfordshire's market towns boast some high end independent shops from local butchers to interior designers. Chic boutiques in Henley rub shoulders with Asquiths world famous Teddy Bear shop. Wantage has the only vynl record shop in the county, whilst the Marriotts Walk at Witney and the Orchard Centre at Didcot, both recently developed, are a good choice for High Street names. Banbury has the Castle Quay shopping centre, which can be reached by narrowboat, as well as more conventional routes. Look out for old-fashioned family department stores - often a 'step back in time' experience. There's usually a handy pub for lunch and a tea shop for the home-made afternoon snack.
Visit the farmers' markets around Oxfordshire and pick up some great local produce or crafts for gifts to take back home. Busy and bustling open air markets are still important in Oxfordshire. There are potteries at Aston, Ewelde and Hook Norton, and galleries such as The Gallery at Waterperry with affordable but contemporary arts and crafts. Burford and Wallingford are home to many antique shops and galleries.
So, whether you are 'just browsing' or with a definite purchase in mind - you'll enjoy your shopping trip here in Oxford and Oxfordshire.
