Bucks &amp; Oxon


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why">WHY?</h2>



<p>If you&#8217;re looking for all the perks of well-heeled Cotswolds living, but without being under the tourist microscope, then Charlbury could be right up your street. The town has a strong sense of community, easy access to London as well as a thriving social calendar including an annual <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Beer Festival (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.charlburybeerfestival.org/" target="_blank">Beer Festival</a> (with&nbsp;the Aunt Sally Singles World Championship no less), <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Charlbury Street Fair (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.charlbury.info/community/1" target="_blank">Charlbury Street Fair</a>, <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Riverside Festival (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.riversidefestival.charlbury.com/" target="_blank">Riverside Festival</a>, and Oxfordshire&#8217;s coolest festival jaunt <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Wilderness (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.wildernessfestival.com/" target="_blank">Wilderness</a> &#8211; think a heady mix of right-on hippiness (yoga, skinny-dipping, hot hubs) and top-tier music and food.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat">EAT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="844" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/TheBullCharlburyJun23-5977-Edit-scaled-1.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-150978" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/TheBullCharlburyJun23-5977-Edit-scaled-1.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/TheBullCharlburyJun23-5977-Edit-scaled-1-800x450.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/TheBullCharlburyJun23-5977-Edit-scaled-1-1000x563.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/TheBullCharlburyJun23-5977-Edit-scaled-1-400x225.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/TheBullCharlburyJun23-5977-Edit-scaled-1-900x506.jpeg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Bull Inn, Charlbury</figcaption></figure>



<p>Serving no-fuss, rustic lunches in the gorgeous rural setting of the AONB Evenlode Valley is family-run coffee shop <a href="https://www.theoldshedcharlbury.co.uk/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Old Shed</a>, just a short drive (or 20 minute walk) from the town centre. Be sure to try one of the delicious homemade cakes and a game of Disc Golf (golf but, erm, with discs) in the surrounding woodland. For a sit down dinner, <a href="https://thebullcharlbury.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Bull</a> is a 500 year old institution with as a classic gastropub menu alongside Insta-worthy interiors, whilst Chef Chloe Horner (formerly of Oxfork) has her eponymous restaurant <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ChloesCharlbury">Chloe’s</a> &#8211; hugely popular for its Friday night suppers. Now there&#8217;s a new addition to the village &#8211; Brazillian chef Marcia Harvey&#8217;s <a href="https://amarelobistro.co.uk/">Amarelo</a>, a South-American inspired restaurant on the site of the former Old Post Office. Two villages along in Chadlington you have <a href="https://cafedelapost.com/">Café de la Post </a>&nbsp; &#8211; a coffee shop with well-attended evening pizza nights as well as an off-licence. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop">SHOP</h2>



<p>Charlbury is quiet on the shopping scene though there&#8217;s a Co-Op and Londis locally. However, there is the fantastic <a aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="http://charlburydeli.cafe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Charlbury Deli &amp; Café</a> (owned by 120 local shareholders) where 80% of the produce stocked is from Oxfordshire suppliers including coffee from New Ground and seriously good sourdough from <a aria-label="Marks Cotswold Bakery (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.markscotswoldbakery.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marks Cotswold Bakery</a>. You&#8217;re 15 minutes from Burford, Witney and Woodstock for more choice. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<p>With its winding country roads, little traffic and rural vistas Charlbury is a popular cycling destination on the <a aria-label="Cotswold Line Cycle Route (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.sustrans.org.uk/find-other-routes/cotswold-line" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cotswold Line Cycle Route</a> that follows paths from Oxford to Worcester. There are acres and acres of parkland and woodland to explore nearby including <a aria-label="Wychwood Forest (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.wychwoodforesttrust.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wychwood Forest</a> (the Wychwood Loop is an excellent cycle route), plus there are walking routes with stunning views around the perimeter of <a href="https://www.cornburypark.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cornbury Park</a> (usually closed to the public until festival season with Wilderness and Cornbury Music Festival held on the estate). <a href="https://www.blenheimpalace.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Blenheim Palace</a>, in Woodstock, is just a 13 minute drive with a jam-packed calendar of events throughout the year and you&#8217;re 20 minutes from Soho Farmhouse if you can snaffle a membership. One of my favourite National Trust properties, the atmospheric Jacobean <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/oxfordshire-buckinghamshire-berkshire/chastleton">Chastleton House</a> (where <em>Wolf Hall</em> was filmed), is 20 minutes away. For kids in the village, there&#8217;s local consultation about extending the skate park and also making it more enticing for girls. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="720" height="480" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/03/wilderness-3-720x480.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-113551" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/03/wilderness-3-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/03/wilderness-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/03/wilderness-3-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/03/wilderness-3-787x525.jpg 787w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/03/wilderness-3.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Wilderness</figcaption></figure>



<p>Such a treat being this close to August&#8217;s new annual <a href="https://www.wildernessfestival.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wilderness Festival</a> (at the site of the old Cornbury Music Festival).  It is located in &#8216;Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty&#8217; Cornbury Park, and has boasted previous big names such as Years &amp; Years and Jungle, has a stage for spoken word and talks, family events and crafts, and even a lakeside spa! Cornbury Park also hosts <a href="https://www.heartbreakproductions.co.uk/venues/cornbury-estate-charlbury-outdoor-theatre/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">outdoor theatre</a> of Shakespeare, classics and family shows. Charlbury&#8217;s <a href="https://www.riversidefestival.charlbury.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Riverside Festival</a> is completely free to attend, with over 30 bands playing across 3 stages. Looking for local history? <a href="https://charlburycornerhouse.co.uk/charlbury-museum/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Charlbury Museum</a> is based in the Corner House. It is also just a 17 min drive to the family-friendly <a href="https://thebigfeastival.com/"> Big Feastival</a> run by Blur&#8217;s Alex James, for A-list live music and a line up of excellent chefs. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-price">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICE</h2>



<p>Affordable for this part of the country. Average prices are £555,214 over the last year, with semi-detached properties averaging £400,346 and detached properties sold for an average of £919,667. Sold prices in Charlbury are up at 9% up on the previous year, according to Right Move.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="682" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/Charlbury-1.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-150972" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/Charlbury-1.jpeg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/Charlbury-1-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/Charlbury-1-1000x666.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/Charlbury-1-400x266.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/Charlbury-1-788x525.jpeg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><a href="https://www.johndwood.co.uk/properties/17227464/sales/OXF190217#/">5 bedroom, 3 bathroom house in Charlbury, £1.75m</a></figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurseries">NURSERIES</h2>



<p><a href="https://littlemonkeyscharlbury.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Little Monkeys</a> in the heart of Charlbury is rated Ofsted &#8216;Good&#8217; and provides home cooked meals. The smaller 28 place <a href="https://charlburypreschool.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Charlbury Pre School</a> is also very central and rated &#8216;Good&#8217;, as is <a href="https://naracharlbury.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nära Charlbury</a>  over the river.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schools">SCHOOLS</h2>



<p>Lovely rural option <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/kingham-hill-school/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kingham Hill</a>&nbsp;with its 100 acre site (so huge they need buggies to get around!) is just a 20 minute drive; equally nurturing <a href="https://www.sibfordschool.co.uk/">Sibford School</a>, <a href="https://www.tudorhallschool.com/">Tudor Hall</a> senior school for girls, <a href="https://www.carrdusschool.com/">Carrdus</a> Prep and stong all-rounder <a href="https://www.bloxhamschool.com/">Bloxham School</a> and are 20 mins away near Banbury. Or there&#8217;s Oxford, with its extensive list of excellent schools is just 15 minutes from Charlbury station. Options include academic powerhouse&nbsp;<a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/magdalen-college/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Magdalen College</a> (boys all though with mixed Sixth Form); outstanding progressive school&nbsp;<a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/doverbroecks-oxford/">d’Overbroeck’s</a>&nbsp;(co-ed, from 7-18 years);&nbsp;<a href="https://oxfordhigh.gdst.net/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oxford High</a>&nbsp;(girls, 3-18 years);&nbsp;newly merged <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/headington-school-oxford/">Headington Rye</a> School (co-ed prep 3-11, girls&#8217; senior 11 &#8211; 18 years); and <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/the-dragon-school-oxford/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dragon School</a>&nbsp;day and boarding prep (co-ed, 4-13 years, be prepared to rub shoulders with A-list parents).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret">BEST KEPT SECRET</h2>



<p><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/blenheim-farm" target="_blank">Blenheim Farm</a> is a peaceful one-hectare nature reserve brimming with wildlife (look out for songbirds and butterflies) just outside Charlbury. Top tip: park for free in the lay-by at the bottom of the hill in Charlbury to access the footpath by Blenheim Farm House.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute">COMMUTE</h2>



<p>Charlbury has its own train station where you can reach London in 1 hour 13 minutes on the fastest train. Season tickets from £8,000. On average driving takes 1 hour 48 minutes (70 miles).</p>



<p>View the full <a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Top 260 Best Places to Live</a></p>


Best Places to Live: Charlbury

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