Bucks &amp; Oxon


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



<p>A village so pretty you&#8217;re charged to enter it. Whitchurch-on-Thames is a South Oxfordshire gem – weeping willows skim the water, the houses are dreamy and you&#8217;ll either love the exclusivity of the toll bridge (60p each way to go back and forth into Pangbourne by car) or feel it&#8217;s daylight robbery. It’s long been a sought-after hub for families and London commuters attracted to this sedate oasis and speedy London and Oxford commute. But all that lifestyle lustre doesn&#8217;t come cheap.</p>



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



<p>In the words of the Spice Girls <em>2 Become 1</em> – Whitchurch did have two pubs for a pint and a packet of posh crisps, sadly The Ferryboat has closed, leaving <a href="https://www.thegreyhoundwhitchurchonthames.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Greyhound</a> the last boozer standing. It&#8217;s a cosy pub with wooden settles, low ceilings, beams and open fires. No food is served here, instead they have street food vendors popping up. </p>



<p>Pangbourne&#8217;s historic pub&nbsp;<a href="https://www.swanpangbourne.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Swan</a>&nbsp;was the closest food pub but that closed due to flooding in early 2024 and is due to reopen in November. Elsewhere, steak restaurant&nbsp;<a href="https://www.elephanthotel.co.uk/dining/restaurant" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Herd in The Elephant Hotel</a>&nbsp;has a good rep, or if it&#8217;s breakfast, light lunch or afternoon cuppa you&#8217;re after, <a href="https://www.artichoke.cafe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Artichoke Café</a> is a great spot with decent coffee and top notch toasties. Looking for cocktails with a view? Sashay four miles down the road (or motor down on your boat) to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.coppaclub.co.uk/at-the-swan/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Coppa Club at the Swan at Streatley</a>.</p>



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


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1440" height="1800" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/121464001_1661828980661760_756310473349358889_n.jpg" alt="Kiki and Bow home and fashion shop pangbourne " class="wp-image-173219" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/121464001_1661828980661760_756310473349358889_n.jpg 1440w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/121464001_1661828980661760_756310473349358889_n-640x800.jpg 640w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/121464001_1661828980661760_756310473349358889_n-800x1000.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/121464001_1661828980661760_756310473349358889_n-320x400.jpg 320w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/121464001_1661828980661760_756310473349358889_n-1229x1536.jpg 1229w" sizes="(max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px" /></figure></div>


<p>Shopping in Whitchurch focuses on the finer things in life. Beautiful art from the <a href="https://www.modernartistsgallery.com">Modern Artists Gallery</a>, antiques from <a href="https://www.rupertsantiques.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rupert Landen Antiques</a> and if you&#8217;ve got serious cash to splash: The Lamborghini and Aston Martin car showrooms will rev your engines. <a href="https://www.garlandsorganic.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Garland Organics</a> is the place to go for a taste of <em>Good Life</em> without the need to get your hands dirty, and there’s refill shop <a href="https://thelooselarder.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Loose Larder</a>, as well as award-winning foodie shops like <a href="https://cheese-etc.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cheese Etc</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/birch.pangbourne/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Birch Bread</a> for loaves and epic cinnamon buns. Over the bridge in Pangbourne and you&#8217;re in indie shopping heaven. <a href="https://kikiandbow.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kiki and Bow</a>&nbsp;sells stylish homeware and French fashion brands and grab sexy specs from opticians&nbsp;<a href="https://www.eye-club.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Eye Club</a>. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>



<p>For the energetic, the <a href="https://whitchurch10k.niftyentries.com/Whitchurch-10K-2025" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">annual 10k hill race</a> in April is a must, meanwhile Whitchurch has its cricket club, football team and over the river is Pangbourne Tennis Club. Water activity centre&nbsp;<a href="https://adventuredolphin.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Adventure Dolphin&nbsp;</a>is great for kids who want to learn to paddleboard, canoe or kayak. If you like exercise of the more mellow kind, there&#8217;s Willow Pilates and yoga classes in the village hall. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<p>On your doorstep there are plenty of arts and crafts event to dip your tow in creative waters – <a href="https://pangbourneartgroup.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pangbourne Art Group</a> has an annual exhibition, then there&#8217;s all the usual groups, from bridge and gardening to theatre trips. Head over the bridge for Pangbourne’s annual Fireworks Fiesta or boaty types can cruise down the river to <a href="https://www.thamesrivercruise.co.uk/events/fireworks-on-the-thames-sunday-5th-november">Mapledurham&#8217;s Fireworks on the Thames</a>, meanwhile Whitchurch&#8217;s garden and craft shows in spring and autumn are something to aim for with the veg growing. </p>



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/Untitled-design-34.jpg" alt="Modern Artists Gallery Whitchurch on Thames South Oxfordshire" class="wp-image-150435" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/Untitled-design-34.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/Untitled-design-34-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/Untitled-design-34-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/Untitled-design-34-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/Untitled-design-34-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Modern Artists Gallery</figcaption></figure>



<p>On the doorstep, the <a href="https://www.modernartistsgallery.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Modern Artists Gallery</a> is well worth a mooch for a contemporary culture fix. If it&#8217;s heritage you seek, make a beeline to one of my favourite National Trusts, the stunning&nbsp;<a href="http://nationaltrust.org.uk/basildon-park" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Basildon Park</a>&nbsp;(it’s starred in <em>Bridgerton</em>,&nbsp;<em>The Gentleman</em>, <em>Marie Antoinette</em>, <em>Downton Abbey</em>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<em>Pride &amp; Prejudice</em>) is a few miles down the road.&nbsp;Head to the meadow to mess about on the river. And a few miles outside the village,&nbsp;<a href="https://bealepark.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Beale Wildlife Park</a>&nbsp;is home to 160 species and one loved up pair of Lynx. Or go lock, stock and two smoking barrels at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.purdey.com/pages/our-shooting-school" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Royal Berkshire Shooting Schoo</a>l – the Princess of Wales, Holly Willoughby, and Ant &amp; Dec have all visited.</p>



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



<p>To hit the cultural high notes, you’ll need to head into Reading (less than 10 mins by train).&nbsp;<a href="https://whatsonreading.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Hexagon Theatre</a>&nbsp;attracts the glitterati of the comedy circuit touring West End shows and a cracking panto.&nbsp;<a href="https://readingbiscuitfactory.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Reading Biscuit Factory</a>&nbsp;is a stunning boutique cinema. Keep your eye out for art exhibitions at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/basildon-park" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Basildon Park</a> and the Christmas light trail.&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>Kerrrrrrching! Riverside village locations don&#8217;t come cheap in this neck of the woods. On average £791,000, but there are few properties here under £1m. Pretty steep, I know. In 2024, semi-detached homes cost an average of £586,750, terraced homes were £592,587 and detached go for £1.3m. </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="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/Whitchurch-on-Thames.png" alt="Whitchurch-on-Thames Best Places to Live" class="wp-image-176069" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/Whitchurch-on-Thames.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/Whitchurch-on-Thames-800x534.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/Whitchurch-on-Thames-400x267.png 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A four-bed period house attached to a large Georgian manor house with direct river frontage. <a href="https://www.warmingham.com/#/properties/S5383" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">On the market for £750,000</a>.</figcaption></figure>



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



<p>Whitchurch Primary School has its own Pre School (ages 2 &#8211; 4 yrs) which is open during term time. If you need year-round child care, <a href="https://www.pangbourne-daynursery.co.uk/our-nursery" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pangbourne Day Nursery</a>  is a small 48-place nursery over the toll bridge. There’s interactive screens, a ton of arts and crafts, and we’re suckers for the&nbsp;<em>Wind In The Willows</em>&nbsp;theme. </p>



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



<p>Plenty of excellent options in this well-heeled area. Good state schools include <a href="https://whitchurchprimary.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Whitchurch Primary School</a>&nbsp;(class sizes of 20 and a sporty reputation) and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pangbourne.w-berks.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pangbourne Primary School</a> over the bridge. Heading down the private route, you&#8217;re on the right side of the toll bridge for <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/oratory-prep-reading/">The Oratory Prep</a> and <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/the-oratory-school-woodcote/">The Oratory School</a>. A little further upstream is the pastorally strong&nbsp;<a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/moulsford-school-review/">Moulsford</a>&nbsp;pre-prep and prep that&#8217;s just gone co-ed throughout and down to earth <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/cranford-school-moulsford/">Cranford School</a> a co-ed all-through school for ages 3-18. If you&#8217;re prepared to travel, there&#8217;s <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/shiplake-college/">Shiplake College</a>, and in Reading, <a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/the-abbey-school-reading-berkshire/">The Abbey School</a>&nbsp;(ages 3-18), <a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/queen-annes-caversham/">Queen Anne’s Caversham</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/leighton-park-school-reading/">Leighton Park</a>.&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>While literary figures were hanging out in Pangbourne, on the opposite riverbank the vibe was a bit more regal. Holly Copse at Collins End, formerly a pub with a bowling green, was reputedly visited by Charles I in the 1640s, Queen Victoria&#8217;s doctor – Sir John Forbes – is a famous resident and in more recent times <em>The King&#8217;s Speech</em>&#8216;s Oscar-winning producer Gareth Ellis-Unwin can be spotted walking the towpath (tenuous link? We&#8217;re allowing it).</p>



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



<p>Just 39 miles to cover and a fast train to Paddington takes 46 mins. The Elizabeth Line from Reading to is a game-changer – convenient, few changes but not the fastest way to get from A-B. A season train ticket starts at £5,340. Driving to London takes about 90 mins. Reading is 15 mins away.</p>



<p><em>View the full&nbsp;<a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/">Top 300 Best Places to Live</a>.</em></p>


Whitchurch-on-Thames

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