Bicester and Oxfordshire

Bicester in Oxfordshire is an ideal location for your English language course. It is a small and friendly market town that dates all the way back to Roman times, and has expanded in recent years due to its convenient location near Oxford and easy access to London and Birmingham by road or train. The pedestrianised town centre is a mixture of modern architecture and pretty historic buildings in the traditional Oxfordshire stone that is typical of the region. Its independent shops, cafés, restaurants, and lively market stalls are easily accessible on foot or bicycle from all of our host family homes. It is also the home of the world-famous shopping centre, Bicester Village, which, with its high-end designer boutiques and discount prices, is very popular with international shoppers with an eye for a bargain. At the end of our busy days’ learning and touring, you won’t be stuck for things to do; as well as the many bars and restaurants, Bicester has a bowling alley, the perfect game for our international students to play together, a cinema, so you can catch the latest releases in English, and a sumptuous spa and pool at the Bicester Hotel, for maximum relaxation.

The region’s capital city, Oxford, with its stunning ‘dreaming spires’ architecture is just a 13-minute train ride from Bicester, and the famous Cotswolds are also nearby for a country stroll through its pretty shops and villages. One of Britain’s finest stately homes and the birthplace of Winston Churchill, Blenheim Palace, is a short drive away, and you will recognise the renowned beauty of the Oxfordshire countryside, with its typical stone wall cottages and picturesque villages, from famous television shows such as Inspector Barnaby (Midsummer Murders), Inspector Morse, Lewis, and Downton Abbey. For a big city experience, both London and Birmingham are just a 45-minute train-ride away from Bicester station.