WHY A MOVE TO OXFORDSHIRE COULD BE AMAZING
Thinking of moving to Oxfordshire?
Here are our top reasons to live in Oxfordshire
According to Land Registry data, the average house price in Oxfordshire was £371,863 (figures at September 2020). The website Plumplot puts that figure closer to £450,000 with prices rising by a staggering 11% over 2020-2021 making it the 5th most expensive – for that read desirable – county in the U.K
With its historic villages, market towns, the bustling city of Oxford and its picturesque landscape, it is no surprise that Oxfordshire is a popular choice for those looking to relocate. In particular, Oxfordshire is currently experiencing an influx of families, couples and young professionals looking to move out of the capital, with house prices on average 43% less than those in London.
Although we may be a little biased, we think there are many reasons why the beautiful county of Oxfordshire makes a great home. Whether you are planning a move to the ‘City of Dreaming Spires’, the Cotswolds or one of the county’s popular towns or villages, the following are the reasons why we think you should choose Oxfordshire as your home.
Bradmore Road, Oxford OX2
The average price for property in Bradmore Road stood at £5,616,392 in April 2021
In 2012 a house sold for £7,112,500
Crick Road, Oxford OX2
The average price for property in Crick Road stood at £4,926,432 in April 2021
Chadlington Road, Oxford OX2
The average price for property in Chadlington Road stood at £3,664,738 in April 2021
A city steeped in history and culture
The obvious location choice in Oxfordshire for those which enjoy busy city life is the central city of Oxford, which is well known for its prestigious university. With its cobbled streets, museums, galleries, restaurants and bars, Oxford is a great city for those with a busy social life. Plus, if you do miss the capital, it is possible to reach London by train in just 1 hour.
Although house prices are higher in the city centre than other parts of the county, there are still convenient areas which represent excellent value for money. In particular, we recommend Iffley Road and Grandpont which are areas known for their sought after Edwardian and Victorian houses.
Although, if your budget does not quite stretch this far, Cowley is a great choice in terms of location, and there are always plenty of modestly priced terraced houses and flats available.
Northmoor Road, Oxford OX2
The average price for property in Northmoor Road stood at £2,713,764 in April 2021
Summertown, OX2
The average price in Summertown is £921,534 with detached properties fetching £1,553,077.
Currently a house in Summertown is on the market for £7,950,000
Charlbury Road, Oxford OX2
The average price for property in Charlbury Road stood at £3,888,453 in April 2021
In 2019 a house sold for £6,500,000
A wide choice of picturesque towns and villages
Oxford is known for its medieval feel; however, the vast number of students can mean that the city centre is very busy at times. If you are looking for a quieter life, there are many great towns and villages around Oxfordshire which offer an idyllic rural feel, including Abingdon, Didcot, Banbury, Witney, and Bicester.
Abingdon is a great choice for those looking to be close to Oxford, thanks to its position to the south of the city. It is the oldest, continually occupied town in the country, so you can be sure to find plenty of picturesque homes, traditional pubs, and a historic feel.
If you travel slightly further south you will come across the town of Didcot, which is just 14 minutes from Oxford by train and 45 minutes from central London. The busy town is home to shops, cafes, local markets, and a thriving arts scene, whilst still being just a stones through from the stunning Oxfordshire countryside.
In terms of small, rural villages we recommend Kingham, Dorchester-on-Thames, Minster Lovell and Shipton under Wychwood. At the top of our list is the village of Kingham, which was previous voted England’s favourite village, and with its beautiful stone houses, excellent pubs, farm shop and position within the Evenlode valley, it is not hard to see why.
Plenty of activities to keep you busy
Once you are settled in your new home, the county offers an array of things to do in your spare time. The following are our top picks:
History – We recommend visiting the historic Blenheim Palace with its 2,000 acres of parkland and the Bronze Age chalk horse on White Horse Hill, which provides a stunning viewpoint across six counties.
Cultural – The area is well-known for its Henley Festival which takes place every summer, the event features a variety of musicians, artists, chefs and even comedy acts, so it is definitely a date for the diary. In addition, the Henley Royal Regatta is own of the most famous regattas in the world and every year locals and visitors from around the world get dressed up to watch the race from the riverbank.
Shopping – If you are in the process of decorating and furnishing your new home, Oxford city centre is the place to be with its range of high street stores. Although, Burford, Woodstock and Chipping and Norton have some amazing independent shops for those looking for a unique treasure. Alternatively, for high-end design you should head to Bicester Village which is the local designer shopping outlet.
Outdoors – Oxfordshire has plenty to offer those who are looking to explore the outdoors, thanks to easy access to the North Wessex Downs, the Chiltern Hills, and the Cotswolds. Although, even the busy city of Oxford has plenty of outdoor space with lovely walks along the river and plenty of punts to hire for those looking to explore the city by water.
Norham Gardens, Oxford OX2
The average price for property in Norham Gardens stood at £693,505 in April 2021 In 2013 a house sold for £8,350,000
Church Lane, OX5
Properties in Yarnton had an overall average price of £461,156 over the last year.
Yarnton Manor is on sale for £9,000,000
Average House Prices
Burford - £1,070,062
Henley-on-Thames - £806,227
Watlington - £693,333
Oxford - £554,342
Thame - £517,784
Woodstock - £493,039
Chipping Norton - £479,332
Chinnor - £437,905
Wallingford - £426,384
Bampton - £418,953
Excellent connections to major English cities
Although there is plenty to see and do in Oxfordshire, you may want to leave the county occasionally! One of the great benefits of living in Oxfordshire is the excellent connections to the rest of the country, with regular train services, coaches, and easy access to motorways.
It is possible to reach London Paddington, London Marylebone, and Birmingham in just one hour with the direct trains from Oxford city centre. Although, regular services also run to Newcastle, Worcester, Bournemouth, Manchester, Reading and Southampton. If you are looking to jet off to somewhere more exotic, Luton airport is just an hour away and offers regular international flights.
If you prefer to travel by car, the M40 lies to the east of the county and provides great access to Birmingham and London, whilst the M4 runs through the south and will take you to London or Bristol. In addition, from Oxford bus station you can hop on a 24/7 luxury coach to London and Birmingham, for those who prefer to travel in style.
Brilliant schools and a prestigious university
Oxfordshire is home to Oxford University, which is one of the most prestigious universities in the whole world. Although, the county is also known for its excellent primary and secondary schools, with exam pass rates sitting above the national average.
If you are moving with a young family, there is a high chance that you will be able to secure your preferred primary school. According to Oxfordshire council, roughly 90% of children are offered their first choice of primary school which is great news if you plan on settling near your preferred school.
We hope we have provided you with an insight into the county of Oxfordshire, so that you can decide whether to make the move. If you would like more information anything we have mentioned in this blog, please contact us and we will be happy to share our knowledge.
Courtesy of Derek Hall Photography
Average House Prices
Highest value streets
| 1 | Crick Road, Oxford OX2 | £4,926,432 |
| 2 | Chadlington Road, Oxford OX2 | £3,664,738 |
| 3 | Northmoor Road, Oxford OX2 | £2,713,764 |
| 4 | Belbroughton Road, Oxford OX2 | £2,582,944 |
| 5 | Harpsden Woods, Henley-on-Thames RG9 | £2,579,544 |
| 6 | Lathbury Road, Oxford OX2 | £2,466,794 |
| 7 | Little Wittenham, Abingdon OX14 | £2,346,997 |
| 8 | Lincombe Lane, Oxford OX1 | £2,084,220 |
| 9 | St. Margarets Road, Oxford OX2 | £2,046,996 |
| 10 | Colmore Lane, Henley-on-Thames RG9 | £2,044,985 |
