Area Guide to Living in Oxfordshire

Boasting vibrant countryside and first-rate travel links, Buckinghamshire is drawing plenty of people away from London to set down their roots.

Moving to Oxfordshire

A county known for its market towns, scenic villages, stone cottages, and boundless natural beauty, Oxfordshire is an idyllic example of quintessential English countryside.

The county as a whole is a desirable location for many looking to move up the property ladder, there are strong travel connections by road and rail nearby, and at the heart of the county is Oxford, home to the world-renowned University of Oxford.

While there is rich history and throughout the county, much of its appeal lies in its Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty: The Cotswolds, Chiltern Hills, and the North Wessex Downs make up much of the countryside. This combination makes it an enticing proposition alongside its fantastic commuter links.

Living in Oxfordshire

Naturally, property close to popular areas can be more expensive, yet there are a wide range of properties to suit every budget. Oxfordshire offers plenty of opportunity for urban or rural living. For those looking to maintain metropolitan surroundings, the ever-popular suburbs of Jericho and Grandpoint near Oxford are highly sought-after with beautiful Edwardian and Victorian homes.

In the Cotswolds, Burford and Witney are larger towns with attractive stone houses, as well as Tudor fronts, townhouses, and mesmeric listed buildings to discover. Alternatively, Banbury is a town with lots of opportunity, industry, and modern amenities – its proximity to the M40 means that it is a popular destination for anyone looking for a well-connected location as their home.

Those looking for their rural retreat will find a wealth of beautiful villages with rustic charm and great connections to rest of Oxfordshire and beyond. Bampton, Crayton and Little Wittenham are perfect places to start your property search, combining all the traditional features of the country with its rolling hills and pristine countryside.

Many locations are within an hour’s commute of London Paddington via rail, for example the popular commuter destinations of Cholsey and Pangbourne are a 58- and 48-minute commute, respectively. Additionally, the M40 motorway connects the county to London and Birmingham, while the M4 links Oxfordshire to the Bristol and the west of England. Find out more information about living in East Oxford and living in Headington.

Things to Do in Oxfordshire

Oxfordshire is rich in everything from history and culture, to retail and restaurants, for most, there is plenty to see and do.

Whilst Oxford University is a natural place to begin, Blenheim palace is one of the county’s most famous landmarks and the birthplace of Winston Churchill. The expansive grounds of the Palace cover 2,000 acres and are recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For more ancient landmarks, White Horse Hill is a bronze age chalk carving with a spectacular view.

Henley-on-Thames hosts the world-renowned Henley Royal Regatta, a five-day rowing competition that started in 1839 that attracts visitors from all over every year. There are plenty more reasons to get outdoors too, the Cotswolds and Chiltern Hills are fantastic places to explore.

For shopping, Oxford has your typical high-street stores, as well as a range of independent and the Westgate Shopping Centre. For a hotspot of designer outlets, there’s Bicester Village, where you will find top tier fashion and lifestyle brands.

Looking for an Estate Agent in Oxfordshire?

View the areas we cover and our Oxfordshire estate agent and letting branches  or, check out the coverage for each of our Oxfordshire-based estate agents below.  Abingdon, covering: Drayton, Long Wittenham, Steventon, Charney Bassett, Milton, Wootton, Frilford, Dry Sandford, Sutton Courtenay, Clifton Hampden, Burcot, Nuneham Courtenay, Radley, Southmoor, Kingston Bagpuize, Longworth, East Hanney, Garford, Marcham, Sunningwell, Appleford, Hinton Waldrist, West Hanney, Fyfield, Bayworth, Marcham, Shippon, Little Wittenham, Cothill and Kennington (Lettings Only)

Banbury

Banbury, Bodicote, Cherwell Heights, Hanwell Fields, Longford Park, Bloxham, Hook Norton, Adderbury, Twyford, Kings Sutton, Deddington, Easington, Timms Estate, Highfield Leys, Grimsbury, Shutford, Balscote, Shotteswell, Greatworth, Milcombe, Overthorpe, Aynho, Brackley, Westbury, Claydon, Cropredy, Evenly, Croughton, Great Bourton, Little Bourton, Hanwell, Horley, Hardwick, Ruscote, Neithrop, Bretch Hill, Woodford Halse and Duns Tew.

Bicester

Brackley, Hethe, Fringford, Stratton Audley, Blackthorn, Launton, Ambrosden, Upper Arncott, Lower Arncott, Chesterton, Weston-on-the-Green, Wendlebury, Fritwell, Ardley and Marsh Gibbon

Botley

Cumnor, Kennington, Appleton, Eynsham, Farmoor, Cumnor Hill, Elms Rise, Boars Hill, Harcourt Hill and Hinksey Hill

Carterton

Eastleach Martin, Kencot, Fyfield, Filkins, Boradwell, Southrop, Langford, Little Faringdon, Lechdale-on-Thames, Kelmscott, Lew, Alvescot, Black Bourton, Bampton, Aston, Cote, Clanfield, Grafton, Radcot, Chimney, Brize Norton, Swinbrook, Great Barrington, Little Barrington, Westwell, Signet, Bradwell, Shilton, Asthall, Widford, Burford, Little Coxwell, Uffington, Longcot, Woolstone, Buckland, Buckland Marsh, Carswell Marsh, Pusey, Gainfield, Hatford, Stanford in Vale, Brize Meadow, Shilton Park, and Bradwell Village

Chipping Norton

Chadlington, Spelsbury, Taston, Bledington, Ascott under Wychwood, Milton under Wychwood, Foscot, Stow on the Wold, Finstock, Ramsden, Oddington, Chastleton

Didcot

Blewbury, Chilton, Upton, Harwell, Aston Upthorpe, East Challow, East Hagbourne, East Hendred, West Hendred, West Hagbourne, South Moreton, North Moreton, Aston Tirrold, Rowstock, Ardington, Wantage, Grove, Denchworth and Letcombe Regis

East Oxford

Cowley, Iffley, Iffley Village, Greater Leys, Blackbird Leys, New Hinksey, Grandpont, Littlemore, St Clements, Florence Park, Temple Cowley and Donnington

Headington

Headington, Old Headington, Headington Quarry, Marston, Old Marston, Old Marston Village, Risinghurst, Sandshills, Barton Park, Wheatley, Forest Hill, Beckley, Woodeaton, Horton-Cum-Studley, Stanton St. John, Horspath, Littleworth, Cuddesdon, Garsington, Holton, Noke, Little Oxford, Lye Valley, Wood Farm, Central Headington, Harbeton Mead

Henley-On-Thames

Shiplake, Wargrave, Nettlebed, Watlington and Sonning Common, Henley on Thames, Sonning, Marlow, Frieth, Skirmett, Stonor, Middle Assendon, Lower Assendon, Turville, Christmas Common, Pishill, Nuffield, Hurley, Hambledon, Burchett’s Green, Warren Row, Crazies Hill, Lower Shiplake, Sonning Eye, Twyford, Charville, Binfield Heath, Kidmore End, Tokers Green, Gallowstree Common, Peppard Common, Rotherfield Greys, Stoke Row, Wyfold, Bix, Medmenham, Fawley, Shirburn, Lewknor, Pyrton

Kidlington

Yarnton, Begbroke, Cassington, Islip, Bletchingdon, Kirtlington, Enslow, Tackley, Rousham, Hampton Gay & Hampton

Summertown

North Oxford, Wolvercote, Jericho, Bonn Square, Gloucester Green, Park Town, Sunnymead, Cutteslowe, The Waterways Development, Empress Court Development, Rowland Hill Court, Wolvercote

Thame

Thame, Long Crendon, Chinnor, Haddenham, Milton Common, Brill, Oakley, Longwick, Chalgrove, Postcombe, Cuddington, Chearsley, Ashendon and Luggershall

Wallingford

Wallingford, Shillingford, Checkendon, Moulsford, Ewelme, Crowmarsh Gifford, Goring-on-Thames, Stadhampton, Chalgrove, Cholsey, Dorchester-on-Thames, Brightwell-cum-Sotwell, Berinsfield, Watlington, Woodcote, Stretley, Pangbourne, Ipsden, North Stoke, South Stoke, Benson, Shillingford, Warborough, Roke, Britwell Salome, Brightwell Baldwin and Drayton St Leonard

Witney

Curbridge, Aston, Burford, Minster Lovell, Crawley, Standlake, Ducklington, Long Hanborough, North Leigh, South Leigh, Bampton, Leafield, Freeland, Stanton Harcourt Oxford Students, use East Oxford, Headington, Summertown and Botley branches.