Bicester Village

We came for the shopping but stayed for the planting. Bicester Village is a designer outlet shopping village. People travel from across the world to come here – the queue at the non-EU tax refund counter is testament to that. With the most famous designer brands such as Dior, Versace, Givenchy and Gucci all with stores here the look of the village has to match the style of its customers.

In order to get that high-end look Bicester Village has been working with florist Nikki Tibbles. She already has an impressive client list and is able to name Chanel, Claridge's and Kensington Palace as customers. Nikki's style is characterised by an abundance of greenery mixed with traditional flowers. The idea is to bring an English Country Garden to this part of Oxfordshire.

Props are used to great effect. Here metal watering cans are overflowing with ivy.

A bicycle is carrying a precious load of roses.

A mini greenhouse is full to the brim along with a wheelbarrow.

A more contemporary table and chairs in a patio setting is surrounded by a selection of vintage kitchen pots and large planters.

Fragrant herbs and scented plants bring another sensual experience to the planting.

Along the way look out for quotations – William Shakespeare seems to be a favourite.

Some of the displays are obviously made with faux plants. A bit of a shame really but in any summer the upkeep of such planting would be a huge undertaking but with such a heatwave this year probably near on impossible.

The planting is seasonal at Bicester Village. Must come back later in the year to see the A/W18 displays...