Himley Village

What is Himley Village?

Himley Village is a planned new neighbourhood on Middleton Stoney Road at the northern edge of Bicester. Built by CALA Homes (Chiltern), it is one of the most energy-efficient residential developments in North Oxfordshire. Every home is all-electric — there is no gas connection to any plot — and the full eco specification is standard, not an optional upgrade.

The development sits at the edge of open countryside with footpath access to Chesterton village and Middleton Stoney, while remaining close enough to Bicester town centre (2 miles) for everyday amenities and the rail stations that put Oxford and London within comfortable commuting range.

The masterplan includes future development phases, a planned neighbourhood centre, and a retirement village — creating a genuinely mixed, multigenerational community as it grows.

The homes

Himley Village offers semi-detached, terraced, and detached homes from 2 to 5 bedrooms. CALA's Heritage range uses traditional materials — brick, slate, and tile — with considered street scenes and generous plot sizes relative to comparable new-build schemes.

Affordable homes (shared ownership and affordable rent) are included within the development. Contact CALA directly to confirm current plot availability and pricing.

Transport

Himley Village is approximately 2 miles from both Bicester train stations, and 3 miles from M40 Junction 9. The development sits on the northern edge of the town, so car access to both stations is straightforward. Cycling is practical on quieter roads.

East West Rail— the new Oxford–Milton Keynes–Cambridge railway — is under construction and will serve Bicester Village station. When open, this will extend the development's rail connectivity significantly eastward.

Schools

Several well-regarded primaries are within a 5-minute drive of Himley Village, and Bicester's growing secondary offer serves the wider north of town.

• St Edburg's CE Primary School — Bicester town centre (within catchment area for north Bicester)
• St Mary's CE Primary School — Chesterton village, directly adjacent to the development
• Chesterton CofE Primary — close by in the Chesterton area
• Whitelands Academy — secondary school serving the new northern developments; academy status
• Bicester Community College — further education and sixth form options

School catchment boundaries change over time. Always verify with Oxfordshire County Council before making a decision on a specific plot.

Countryside and lifestyle

One of Himley Village's strongest advantages is immediate access to open countryside. The north edge of Bicester opens quickly to the Cherwell Valley and Otmoor fringes — a landscape of farmland, ancient woodland, and river meadows.

• Chesterton village — footpath access directly from the development; a quiet traditional village with church
• Middleton Stoney — a further 1–2 miles on foot or by bike; village green, pub
• Bure Park Nature Reserve — 1.9 miles; local wildlife and walking
• Stoke Wood — 87 acres of ancient woodland, accessible by road to the north-west

For day-to-day shopping, a Tesco Express is 0.9 miles away. Bicester town centre (2 miles) provides supermarkets, cafés, a Vue cinema, Pioneer Square retail, and the world-famous Bicester Village designer outlet.

Who it suits

• Buyers with an eye on running costs — the all-electric spec insulates against gas price volatility and future carbon policy.
• London commuters — 50 minutes to Marylebone is a compelling commute from a family home with a garden and EV charger.
• Oxford workers and commuters — 16 minutes to Oxford Parkway is one of the fastest rail links in the county.
• Families — good school access, countryside on the doorstep, and the community-building of a phased new neighbourhood.
• Remote workers — timber frame construction, air source heat pump, and solar panels combine to make home-working comfortable and affordable year-round.
• Shared ownership buyers — affordable tenure routes available within the development.

Trade-offs

• Car dependency: the stations and town centre are 2+ miles away — you will need a car or bike for most daily journeys while the neighbourhood matures.
• Neighbourhood centre: planned but not yet built; early residents will rely on Bicester town centre and the nearby Tesco Express.
• Future phases: as with any phased development, living on an active construction site is a reality for early buyers.
• Heat pump familiarity: some buyers are not yet familiar with air source heat pump operation. CALA provides guidance, but there is a learning curve versus a gas boiler.

Postcode

Himley Village is in the OX26 postcode district — the main Bicester postcode, covering the town and its newer communities including Kingsmere and Graven Hill. OX26 is the most-searched Bicester postcode for new-build buyers and provides excellent school catchment options for the growing Bicester school network.