Our Towns: Bicester

Bicester is a Garden Town with big ambitions. Located on the Oxford–Cambridge Arc and just 15 minutes by train from Oxford, it’s one of the fastest-growing towns in the UK. With smart, sustainable developments, Bicester is leading the way in low-carbon living, connected infrastructure, and modern business investment. 

Bicester is shaping the future of urban development. Its Garden Town status brings long-term infrastructure investment, supported by a growing population, major retail destinations, and award-winning housing schemes. 

Green growth is a priority. Bicester is home to one of the UK’s first eco-towns and continues to lead with zero-carbon commercial and residential developments, smart mobility solutions, and walkable, people-first places. 

Bicester is delivering large-scale housing and community infrastructure at pace, including: 

• Elmsbrook – Award-winning zero-carbon homes with solar panels, heat recovery, and integrated cycling and walking routes. 

• Kingsmere – New neighbourhood with schools, sports facilities, retail, and healthcare. 

• Graven Hill – The UK’s largest self- and custom-build development, offering design freedom and a strong sense of place.  

• Bicester Motion – A unique innovation campus for mobility and automotive technology, blending business, leisure, and heritage. 

• North West Bicester Business Centre – Supporting local enterprise and low-carbon industry. 

• Bicester Village – A world-renowned retail destination, drawing millions of visitors annually and anchoring the town’s economy.

Elmsbrook Eco-Town 

Developed as a national exemplar for low-carbon living, Elmsbrook has delivered 393 true zero-carbon homes alongside a community hall, primary school, and integrated smart energy systems. The project has influenced national housing policy and set a benchmark for sustainable growth. 

Bicester Motion 

Bicester Motion is redefining what an innovation campus can be. With major investment secured and phased development underway, it is blending R&D, education, mobility tech and experiential leisure. The site’s unique historic airfield heritage is being preserved and reimagined for the 21st century. 

 

 

 

Bicester is a pioneering town — growing fast, planning smart, and prioritising people and planet. Our vision is a place where communities thrive in modern homes, green spaces connect neighbourhoods, and local business drives a clean, creative economy. 

For more details on the future of Bicester's public realm, download our Bicester Public Realm Strategy.

Join us in shaping what comes next. Whether you live, work, build or invest in Bicester — we want to hear from you. 

Contact us: bicester@cherwell-dc.gov.uk