Why we love Oxfordshire
Budget and space are perhaps the two most important elements to consider when purchasing or renting a property.
But it’s equally key to be happy with the location of your new home or investment. At Oxford Property Consulting, we believe living in Oxfordshire truly offers something for everyone.
From the hustle and bustle of Oxford’s historic city centre to the quaint rolling hills and picture-perfect spots in the Cotswolds and Chiltern Hills. With so much variety, seeking professional advice from experienced, local, property experts can help you source the ideal spot to invest in.
When we say Oxfordshire has variety, we’re not exaggerating. In our latest blog, we highlight why.
Uffington
Towering over Oxfordshire at a height of 261 metres in the south of the county is Uffington White Horse Hill.
The hill is home to Uffington Castle, which was most likely built in the 7th or 8th century, and sits on the edge of the picturesque Berkshire Downs. At the foot of White Horse Hill lies Uffington village, home to approximately 800 people and the ideal spot to begin a relaxing weekend stroll with friends or family.
If you’re feeling motivated, Uffington marks the beginning of the Lambourn Valley Way – a 20-mile hike that stretches through the scenic West Berkshire villages of Lambourn, Great Shefford and Boxford before arriving in Newbury.
House prices in Uffington average at slightly over £340,000. The village offers a broad selection of gloriously detached eight-bedroom plus homes to smaller one-bedroom flats and cottages for those looking to downsize.
Dorchester-on-Thames
Nestled above the confluence of the River Thame and River Thames is Dorchester-on-Thames.
Home to just over 1,000 residents, the village dates back to the end of the Stone Age and is popular among visitors for its local walks and the Abbey Church of St Peter and St Paul.
Established in 1140, Dorchester Abbey was saved from demolition during Henry VIII’s reign when it was purchased for £140 – which back then would pay an average person’s wages for approximately 13 years.
The village is home to the English Music Festival with Oxford, Abingdon and Didcot all located within a 20-minute drive. A selection of terraced, semi-detached and detached homes sit in the village with the average property selling for £600,000 in the past year.
Blenheim Palace
Standing in 2,000 acres of parkland, Blenheim Palace is a popular World Heritage Site currently home to the 12th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough and their family.
The Palace was built in the 18th century and is located next to Woodstock, a market town less than 10 miles to the north-west of Oxford city centre. The site is popular among tourists with almost one million people visiting each year for its exhibitions, live performances, Christmas market and annual horse trials.
Regrettably, Blenheim Palace is not for sale. However, several well-placed towns and villages surrounding Blenheim offer investors and homebuyers a perfect location for easy countywide access and beyond.
Woodstock is the biggest of the surrounding towns and villages with a population of just over 3,000. This popular market town is well-connected to Oxfordshire and in easy reach of London for city commuters with trains running from nearby Hanborough Station every hour to London Paddington.
Summertown, Oxford
Two miles north of Oxford city centre is Summertown.
Summertown is a vibrant business and shopping centre and popular among homeowners and investors who purchase property in the city.
Summertown has the location factor. Two miles in any director can see you either placed in the heart of Oxford or dropped in the middle of our county’s beautiful countryside. Its also home to a number of independent schools including The Dragons School, Summer Fields School, Oxford High School and St Edward’s School.
Houses in Summertown are among some of Oxford’s highest priced. In the last year, the average home sold for £896,000 with flats selling for £400,000.
Burford
The gateway to the Cotswolds. Burford sits on the River Windrush and was recently named one of the most idyllic places to live in Europe by Forbes.
Its picturesque setting makes it popular among tourists and locals with a number of independently owned shops and cafes adding great character to the town’s high street.
Burford also boasts the Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens – home to 260 different species of animals including giraffes, lions, penguins, zebras and much more. Besides its tourist attractions, Burford is also a popular place to live due to its location.
The town sits to the north of the A40 between Oxford and Cheltenham and is just five miles from Shipton Station which runs two services each hour to London Paddington.
If you do move to Burford, be warned. You might be required to drown the evil spirit of Lady Tanfield, which is believed to live inside a bottle under Burford Bridge. Locals believe Lady Tanfield’s evil spirit will be released into the village should the bottle dry out, so they water the bridge’s third arch when river levels are low.
Bicester
One of Oxfordshire’s fastest growing areas is Bicester, and it’s easy to understand why.
According to the latest records, Bicester is Oxfordshire’s fourth most populated location behind Oxford, Banbury and Abingdon with 32,000 residents.
The town’s development has been favoured by its prime location on the M40 corridor and at the tip of the A34 which grants smooth access to northern and southern regions. Bicester also has two train stations (Bicester North and Bicester Village) which run services to London Marylebone five times each hour.
Visitors are most likely to be drawn to Bicester for its outlet shopping centre, which opened in 1995. The outlet is populated by luxury goods and designer clothing stores plus various cafes and restaurants.
Motoring enthusiasts might also visit Bicester for its Heritage Centre which is dedicated to historic motoring and based at the Royal Air Force’s former town base.
Properties in Bicester in the past year have fetched an average price of £332,500, a 3% year-on-year increase.
Get in touch
Inspired to relocate to Oxfordshire? Why not drop Oxford Property Consulting’s friendly team a message to learn how we can help you purchase your dream home.
The locations listed are only a small pocket of our extensive local knowledge, so imagine the additional investment or moving opportunities available.
You can email info@oxfordpropertyconsulting.co.uk or call 01865 553956 for further information.