Are you a fan of the Great British Countryside? Didcot could be the place for you to call home. Located in the heart of Oxfordshire, this historic railway town delivers unbeatable rural living near major cities such as Reading and Oxford. There’s also lots to do in the town itself from excellent amenities to shopping opportunities and sports and leisure facilities, to name a few.
In this guide, we’ll explore what life is like in Didcot to help you decide whether to move there. From things to do to the cost of living, and more, we’ll equip you with everything you need to know about living in Didcot.
What’s it like to live in Didcot?
Didcot is a charming town spread across the Berkshire and South Oxfordshire countryside. The region and town have become more popular in recent years for those looking to settle with their families, and the brilliant attractions, beautiful scenery, and handy transport links make life in Didcot a dream for many.
Is Didcot a nice place to live?
Didcot is a nice place to live and the archetypal quaint British town. Famous for its railways, Didcot has charm in abundance and residents enjoy the local community, the ever-improving local infrastructure, and of course, the proximity to major cities without having to live in them.
Why you should choose Didcot
Let’s explore some of the key reasons to live in Didcot:
A community feeling
Didcot is a market town with a friendly local atmosphere. This kind of community feeling is common in towns surrounded by beautiful countryside, and the local markets typify the enjoyment you’ll get from becoming a resident.
Incredible scenery
Nestled in the Oxfordshire countryside, Didcot is surrounded by rolling hills and incredible views. This is great for those who love being in the outdoors and can be a huge boost to mental health and wellbeing, too.
Great transport links
A historical railway town, it’s no surprise that Didcot is well-connected via train, with the Great Western Railway link coming through Didcot Parkway Station. Buses are also regular and with proximity to the M3 and M4, you can access the major cities via car if you choose to live in Didcot.
Shop until you drop
Didcot is home to some of the biggest high street brands in the Orchard Centre which has various stores and a cinema. There’s also a fantastic farmer’s market for residents and visitors to Didcot to enjoy.
A period of growth
Didcot is undergoing significant growth due to a highly ambitious development plan in the town. It was granted “Garden Town” status in 2015 which led to an extensive plan to create more jobs, more homes, and improve local infrastructure.
So, getting into Didcot now is a great idea as houses are still relatively affordable, which may not be the case for long.
Transport links in Didcot
The Great Western Railway runs through Didcot Parkway Station and is well-connected to the rest of the country. Oxford, Reading, and London are accessible via trains every 15 to 40 minutes, and you can also head to Bristol, Bath, Cardiff, and Swansea via a direct train.
For those travelling by bus, Didcot has a great bus service that runs through local towns such as Henley and Wallingford, as well as shuttle services to Wantage and Oxford.
Drivers are also spoilt for choice living in Didcot thanks to close access to the A34 that links to the M3 and M4 motorways. These take you into the heart of the country and allow you to travel freely from town to town and city to city, making Didcot a great place to live if you want to feel connected.
Employment in Didcot
Thanks to the development plan, more jobs are coming to Didcot, but according to Payscale, most residents are employed in one of the following fields.
- Research science
- Primary and secondary education
- Aerospace
- Marketing
- Biotechnology.
Didcot education: a summary
Didcot is brimming with great schools such as Aureus Primary School, Willowcroft Community School, St Birinus School, and Didcot Girls’ School.
Further education organisations comprise Didcot Sixth Form College and UTC (University Technology College, which both offer a range of brilliant opportunities for children fresh out of secondary education.
Oxford University, one of the most prestigious educational institutions in the world, is around 20 miles away from Didcot, and Oxford Brookes University is also close to Didcot.
Property prices in Didcot
Let’s get into the nitty gritty of buying or renting a home in Didcot, and what you can expect to pay.
Buying property in Didcot
To buy a house, you can expect to pay the following:
- £315,000 for a terraced house
- £600,00 for a detached house
- £400,000 for a semi-detached house
- £226,500 for a flat.
These prices are on average and provided by Zoopla.
Renting property in Didcot
According to Home.co.uk, you can expect to pay the following to rent a property in Didcot:
- £1300 – £1500 for a two-bedroom flat
- £1700 for a three-bedroom home
- £2370 – £2,500 for a four-bedroom home
Things to do in Didcot
Didcot is famous for its railway heritage and Didcot Railway Centre is its most famous and largest attraction. It’s not hard to see why, either, and train lovers will marvel at a huge collection of stream trains and artefacts, as well as activities such as riding a steam train.
The National Trust is big in Didcot, which is hardly a surprise, and Basildon Park, White Horse Hill, and Greys Court are all popular day trips for people in the area.
Shopping in Didcot
Didcot has a large shopping centre by the name of Orchard Centre, which has all kinds of High Street shops such as H&M, M&S, Argos, Claire’s, New Look, and more. The local Cineworld cinema is also very popular and on top of national and international chain stores, a monthly farmer’s market brings the freshest of local produce to Didcot.
Food and drink in Didcot
Didcot has a thriving food and drink scene, so let’s explore some of the most popular eateries and alcohol-serving establishments.
Where to eat in Didcot
One of the most popular restaurants in Didcot is Giggling Squid, a brilliant Thai restaurant serving classic curries, pad Thai, and more. There’s also Lusso Didcot, a classic Italian dining space that serves pizza, pasta, and burgers and Django’s Smokehouse is the epitome of gourmet burgers, hot dogs, and loaded fries.
For something more exotic for your tastebuds, there are highly-rated Nepalese and Indian restaurants such as Gurkha Sunkoshi, Kolkata, and Little India in Didcot.
Where to drink in Didcot
Like most countryside towns in England, Didcot has a thriving pub scene, from The Royal Oak to The Mulberry, The Prince of Wales, Ladygrove, and The Wheatsheaf, to name a few.
Unlike many countryside towns, however, there are also quite a few nightclubs in Didcot such as GWRSA Club on Station Road and The Marlborough on Broadway.
Didcot sport and leisure opportunities
Didcot Leisure Centre is probably the most popular in the area and includes a large sports hall, gym, basketball, and football courts. There are badminton lessons available and a range of fitness classes to keep residents nice and active.
Didcot Wave & Gym has a 25-metre swimming pool that boasts a fantastic wave machine, an indoor flume ride, and even a beach area. This makes it highly attractive all year round, but particularly in the warmer, summer months.
For sports fans, Didcot has the following sports teams to get involved with:
And more.
Cost of living in Didcot
Costs of living are similar to nearby Oxford, and you can expect to pay around £15 per person for a meal in an inexpensive restaurant and between £50 and £120 for two for a mid-range, three-course meal.
The average pint of beer is between £5.20 and £5.97 in Didcot, and a litre of milk will set you back anywhere from 80p to £1.70.
The costs of utilities vary but your basic bills comprising electricity, heating, and water will be around £280 per month, which may rise depending on your property size. The average cost of joining a local fitness club is just over £30 a month, and a cinema ticket will likely set you back around £10 per person.
Pros and cons of living in Didcot
Let’s explore some of the benefits of living in Didcot and some reasons to avoid the area.
Pros
- Safety: Didcot is beautiful and considered safe to live in.
- Transport: excellent links make Didcot what it is, and you’re close to the countryside and cities like Oxford.
- Quality education: schools in the area are fantastic and Oxford University is one of the best in the world.
- Sports: the leisure facilities are of high quality and there are plenty of sports clubs in Didcot, too.
- Scenery: of course, one of the biggest pros of living in Didcot is being surrounded by beautiful countryside.
Cons
- Busy: as with every beautiful place, it can get busy in warmer months.
- A city atmosphere: while Didcot is experiencing growth, it still isn’t quite a thriving metropolis.
- Not much nightlife: younger adults might want more than two nightclubs and an alternative to pub drinking.
Considering a move to Didcot?
Didcot is an up-and-coming town with lots to offer potential residents. With beautiful countryside everywhere you look, fantastic amenities and transport links, and a thriving community spirit, it’s no surprise that so many people are choosing a move to Didcot.
If you’re looking to relocate to Didcot, we have plentiful resources available for home buyers and sellers.
To find out more about buying or selling a Didcot property, visit our Didcot Estate Agents.
