Moving to Oxford / Oxfordshire / villages / areas for a small family

[lookingforhomemum]

Hi there. Me and my husband are originally from London and hoping to start our family soon. We will be new parents and feel completely new to this side of life having it been just the two of us for many, many years. It's exciting, but also quite nerve-wracking not knowing the future.

We are strongly considering the West Berkshire (around Newbury) and Oxford areas. I am swinging towards Oxford mainly because of the access to healthcare and hospitals. I don't really like the idea of accessing maternity facilities from Newbury that are over an hour away from Newbury, so Oxford seems like a better place in that regard. Newbury/Berkshire is otherwise perfect for the countryside which we adore!

Which areas do families recommend in Oxfordshire?

We are seeking a family home with 3 good sized bedrooms (not the third one being like a small/box room) - we saved up more for our deposit just for this and it took a few more years 😅. A garden is really important to us - medium/large and green - somewhere we could potentially build a small office or annex at the back. We would prefer our own driveway/garage, but it's probably the only thing we could compromise on so long as we aren't fighting for car parking space every day. We both would work for companies in London but I expect i'll be out for the children for a few years, and my husband will work hybrid (a mix of remote and office days). We don't mind driving to the train station and park up, in order to get to London for work, but so long as it's about 30 mins max (ish) drive. Schools are really important (for primary I expect homeschooling might be our first option, but secondary school is really important to us).

Btw, do secondary schools include 6th form/A-levels in Oxford?
Good access to healthcare is important (GP, maternity, generally hospitals).

We enjoy the outdoors, seeing and being in the countryside and do make 1-2 visits to town/city max, mainly for food shopping and the odd window shopping just for something different to do. Otherwise, we don't really like the hustle and bustle of city life. Our last rental had a garden (first time) and it's really helped us see how we might enjoy our life in this next phase.

I guess it sounds like we are asking for everything and this first post is getting quite long (sorry!)... but in terms of the above, where is best for families that's nice to raise your kids and safe too?

Thanks so so much :)

@Gracecharlotte . I’m a Bucks born snd bred resident. Villages with cafes are rare. Smaller towns gives you more options. Wendover is popular but blighted by HS2 now. So sad. It has everything you want.

Look at Thame in Oxfordshire. The station is nearby at Haddenham but Thame is a great town. Depending on your budget, Marlow and Henley are wonderful. Elizabeth line from Maidenhead. Further south in Bucks, Chalfont St Giles is attractive and I’m a fan of Berkhamsted in Herts. Princes Risborough might suit you too.

Most Chiltern villages are attractive but many are quiet. Some might have village halls with Pilates! Vets are mostly. In towns or large villages. It’s rural so quite a few around. Look at stops along the Chiltern line and see what you think. Berkhamsted is around 35 mins into Euston. Amersham about the same. Haddenhdm a bit longer. Hope you find somewhere.

Thank you for all the information- very gratefully received. Yes, I think with the Pilates, vets, nice coffee shops and country pubs that I’m looking for, a small town is probably better- difficult when looking in areas I know nothing about!
I had been looking at Thame, Benson and Watlington- although Watlington seemed quite far from a station. Is Princes Risborough a nice town, that seems to have good station connections. I also looked at Tring- crossing counties, but good train connections and looks a nice town… I’ll be spending the day on rightmove! Thank you for the information

The really big problem with the jr is not so much the journey but the parking. If you can take that entirely out of the equation either by living in walking/cycling distance or by easy access on public transport, that would be good. I would not go to benson or watlington. I would stick to Headington, Wheatley, villages like Holton that have a bus service that take you down the London Road in Headington, Thame, Maybe Lewknor.

@Delphigirl Ww are looking at travelling to London from Oxfordshire and Bucks. Parking isn’t an issue at any stations. Or anywhere much except Oxford.

Whoops got my threads confused!

Do I want to let people in on my secret? OK. The Oxford to Marylebone line is fantastic. Goodness knows why anyone goes to Paddington. Look around stations there — Kidlington, Bicester, Thame etc.

@Gracecharlotte Princes Risborough has a station in the town. It’s reasonably attractive but surrounding villages in the Chilterns are attractive. Some with pubs but far less than there were. Dog groomers not difficult to find. Many villages have access to good dog walking. The Ridgeway runs just close to me. Thame, Berkhamsted. Tring, PR and Old Amersham have plenty going on but you need to weigh up stations and village vs town. And budget!

Thank you- very helpful, I appreciate all the feedback

Pangbourne would be perfect for you, @Gracecharlotte if you can afford it, but houses are expensive there. You didn’t mention your budget so I’m suggesting it anyway as it has everyth8jg you want. Easy to change trains at Reading.

Thank you, I’ll have a peak on rightmove

Gracecharlotte I agree with the above posters that Thame and Princes Risborough might suit you, both are nice small towns. Bicester is just outside the 50mins on the train, houses are a bit cheaper and it would have all the things you want but it has got quite large and is still growing fast so personally I feel its not quite as attractive as Thame or Risborough although it is the town I know best of the 3.

Something like thisOP? Witney is lovely and handy for oxford too

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/86550162#/?channel=RES_BUY

Hello,
Take a look at Mortimer in Berkshire, surrounded by 250 acres of woodland. Very low crime rate. Caters for your cafe, pilates and dog needs. Train station goes in one direction to Reading in 14 minutes, then on to Paddington or Waterloo. Good Elizabeth Line connection at Reading. Mortimer station also goes via Basingstoke to Waterloo and many other destinations.
Will be putting my house on the market next month after many decades here, due to job relocation.

All the information is very helpful, thank you.
currently looking at all areas and going to drive down to see the locations- thank you for all the helpful information everyone has given- I really appreciate it!

@Gracecharlotte

Goring & Streatley have more pilates and yoga classes than you can shake a stick at; either in the village halls, or in the swan (if you want aerial stuff).

Lovely couple of cafes, a few pubs, a few shops, dog groomer (and vet in the village), train line (so no need to drive), river, countryside (two AONBs), comedy nights, arts festival, regatta, sailing club, rowing club etc

Only downside is all this makes it quite pricey

Did you end up making a decision? I have lived in a village near Wantage for almost 15 years. Also work in London (but only go a couple of times a month post covid). Wantage is certainly a bit more affordable than other areas, and has some lovely villages nearby. The drive to Didcot can take a while in rush hour due to all the new housing, but trains are fast frequent and reliable once you get there, and there's plenty of parking at the station. It's also handy for heathrow (I travel a bit for work). Most of the villages run all sorts of classes, have nice pubs and walks and some have cafes (Childrey, Letcombe Regis). There's a good selection of schools, both independent and state. KA's has an excellent 6th form and the rest is now improving and rated 'Good' in recent ofstead. Wantage has regular markets and a nice selection of independent shops.

Re Newbury maternity/hospital options, swindon is only 30 mins and 2 junctions down the m4 so a very easy drive.

Basingstoke also an option.

Hi does anyone know anymore info on Heyford park school in Oxfordshire? Wanted information on the surrounding area and the school if any experience in primary and secondary ?