Living in Oxfordshire
Much of Oxfordshire’s charm comes from its historical architecture and its heritage sites.
With 3000-year-old buildings, like the Uffington White Horse, still standing and centuries-old libraries scattered around the county, Oxfordshire will appeal to those with an appreciation for the architectural stylings of a bygone era.
Away from its adorned streets, Oxfordshire’s hilly stretches – that include The Cotswolds, The Berkshire Downs, and the Chiltern Hills – present the perfect walking routes for the avid hiker.
Transport options in Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire boasts 15 train stations, with several direct train services operating between Oxford, its county town, and other major UK cities, including, London, Bournemouth, Manchester, Newcastle, Reading, and York.
For those needing to regularly commute to London, one can easily reach the capital in under an hour by train, with the service from Oxford to London taking about 50 minutes.
Shopping in Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire offers a nice mix of shopping centres and local markets.
Some of the county’s more popular shopping centres include the Clarendon Centre and Westgate.
Cities like Oxford, with its eclectic high street, is known for its wide array of quirky independent shops and its excellent outdoor market, whereas the town of Bicester is celebrated for its much-loved Bicester Village, which boasts over 150 beauty boutiques and shops. Then there’s the historic market town of Witney, with its Woolgate Shopping Centre; giving you a taste of just how diverse Oxfordshire’s shopping scene is.
Where are the best places to live in Oxfordshire if you’re looking to...
Live in a town?
• Faringdon – one of the older towns in Oxfordshire, Faringdon has a strong community feel; running several festivals throughout the year. These include the Faringdon Carnival and the Faringdon Folly Festival. The town also boasts a sixth-form college, 2 gyms and a library.
• Witney – situated on the edge of the Cotswolds, Witney is a traditional market town bursting with culture. From The Witney Theatre to The Corn Exchange, there’s seemingly always a show to catch. The town’s main shopping centre is the Marriotts Walk but a number of independent shops, cafes and restaurants can be found at its Market Square.
• Banbury – with a number of parks and national trust properties, Banbury is quite the idyllic market town. The Canal & Spiceball Park and The Great Western Park are particularly popular amongst families thanks to their wide range of sports and play area facilities. Banbury also has a rich arts scene, with The Mill Arts Centre being at the heart of the community and the start Banbury Folk Festival being a key event in the town’s calendar.
Live in a village?
• Shrivenham – Something of a hidden gem, Shrivenham, though not as big as its town counterparts, offers plenty! For one, the village is home to two golf clubs, several museums and, more than anything else, the village just has that quintessentially countryside feel, including buildings with thatched roofs and all!
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