Whether it’s charming rural villages or a bustling city filled with young professionals, Oxfordshire is a wonderfully diverse place to live, highly regarded for its natural beauty. The county’s close proximity to London combined with its reputation for excellent schooling has led to Oxfordshire being one of the most desirable places to live throughout the UK.
In this guide, we explore four of the best places to live in Oxfordshire, from small hidden gems to thriving market towns.
Henley
Three areas in Oxfordshire have been recognised among the best places to live in the UK, with Henley taking the highest spot. Sitting in 10th position overall, the town, located northeast of Reading, is one of the most beautiful in all of England.
With excellent, independent places to eat and drink, cobbled streets lined with well-known high-street brands, and a highly efficient public transport network it’s fairly easy to see why properties here are in high demand. Of course, this all comes at a cost, with the average house price coming to £780,000.
Oxford
A city that boasts a history others would be envious of; Oxford is probably best known for its prestigious university. Aside from this, Oxford also offers stunning green spaces, including the Oxfordshire countryside, providing opportunities for leisurely cycling or walks along the River Thames.
Like all cities, Oxford is made up of various suburbs, each with its own personality and vibe. Among the most popular are Jericho and Central North Oxford. Housing types mostly consist of late Georgian and Victorian terraced properties, as well as Gothic-style and Italianate detached and semi-detached houses.
You’ll also find a variety of new build properties in Oxford and the surrounding area, which are ideal for first-time buyers, young professionals, and families alike.
Thame
If a vibrant high street, an array of green spaces, and medieval buildings sound good to you, then the semi-rural town of Thame may be ideal. Situated at the foot of the Chiltern Hills, Thame has well preserved its Anglo-Saxon roots while still developing its own identity.
The town is becoming popular among commuters since it takes a journey of just 43 minutes to reach London Marylebone. Let’s not forget that Thame is also one of the most affordable locations in the county as well.
If you think Thame looks familiar, you may be right. It has long been the filming location of Midsomer Murders – you may be more familiar with its fictional name, Causton.
Wallingford
Having made the list of the best places to live in Oxfordshire and England, Wallingford certainly is a fantastic place to call home. The historic market town has a great theatre scene as well as plenty of nice walks, lively restaurants and independent shops.
There’s also a great selection of schools in the area, including Moulsford Prep School and The Oratory, making it the ideal location for those thinking of starting a family. And the average house price last year was £550,000, which is pretty good for the region.
