I

f you thought London’s Bond Street and Knightsbridge were where the smart people shopped, think again.

Instead, take a 50-minute train ride north-west from the capital, into the idyllic Oxfordshire countryside, and you’ll come to Bicester Village – one of Europe’s leading outlet shopping destinations.

Whatever you’re after – from clothes to jewellery to beauty to shoes to cool stuff for the house – you’ll find it all here, within strolling distance. The shop fronts are a veritable who’s who of designers and covetable goodies, including Matthew Williamson, Alexander McQueen, Smythson, Yves SaintLaurent and Diane Von Furstenberg – over 130 stores in fact (eek!).

Of course, serious shopping requires sustenance, and there are several eateries on-hand, including Carluccio’s and Villandry. Oh yes, and did we mention that all these designer brands are available for a fraction of the prices you’ll pay on Bond Street? See you there then.