Oxfordshire Area Guide

Sitting at the very heart of England, Oxfordshire is renowned not only for its world-class university but also its picturesque countryside, rich history, and booming tech industry. It manages to blend the charm of ancient England with a modern, dynamic vibe, making it an attractive destination for families, students, and professionals.

Living in Oxfordshire: An Overview

From the dreaming spires of Oxford to the rolling Chiltern Hills, Oxfordshire offers an experience that’s both quintessentially English and vibrantly modern.

Pros of Living in Oxfordshire

Education: Oxfordshire is home to the University of Oxford, one of the world's leading educational institutions.

Natural Beauty: The county boasts the Cotswolds and parts of the Chiltern Hills, offering stunning natural vistas.

Economic Boom: The region has a growing tech industry, often dubbed as the “Silicon Shire”.

Cultural Heritage: Historical landmarks, museums, and theatres are abundant.

Accessibility: Excellent transport links to London and the Midlands.

Local Produce: From local cheeses to craft ales, there’s an emphasis on homegrown products.

Cons of Living in Oxfordshire

Cost of Living: High demand, especially in Oxford itself, has driven up property prices and rents.

Tourist Crowds: Oxford and the Cotswolds can become very crowded, especially during the summer.

Traffic: The county's roads can get congested, particularly around Oxford.

Top Independent Schools in Oxfordshire (with average annual fees):

Magdalen College School, Oxford: Boys day school with fees averaging £20,000.

Oxford High School, Oxford: Girls day school, fees around £18,000.

St Clare's, Oxford Review: This co-ed day and boarding Sixth Form college in North Oxford offers a small international community of students a choice of pre-university courses and is one of the world's longest-running providers of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.Fees around £20,500.

Dragon School, Oxford: Co-ed day and boarding, fees stand at about £30,000 for boarders.

Summer Fields, Oxford: Preparatory boys’ school with boarding fees averaging £27,500.

Kingham Hill: Kingham Hill School is a small school with a large offering; students here can gain American credits while studying a British curriculum – as well as choose between academic and vocational options on their pathway to university. Average fees: £20,500

The Oratory School, Reading: Roman Catholic boys’ school with fees of £24,000 for boarders.

St Edward’s School, Oxford: Co-ed day and boarding school, with fees averaging £39,000 for boarders.

Rye St Antony, Oxford: Girls day and boarding school, fees about £29,000 for boarders.

Cokethorpe School, Witney: Co-ed day school, average fees stand at £16,500.

Tudor Hall: A rural all-girls senior school in Oxfordshire with a family atmosphere where students achieve excellent results in GCSEs and A Levels. Approximate fees: GBP 25,000.

Headington School, Oxford: Girls day and boarding, with boarding fees around £36,000.

Sibford School, Banbury: Quaker school, co-ed, with fees averaging £24,500 for boarders.

Abingdon School, Abingdon: Boys day and boarding school, boarding fees at £38,500.

Radley College, Abingdon: All-boys boarding, fees around £40,000.

Tudor Hall, Banbury: Girls boarding and day, with boarding fees at £36,500.

Radley College: One of the UK’s leading (and last remaining) all-boys boarding schools, Radley College offers a well-rounded, very British education to a community of bright, sporty and creative boys. Average fees: £ 44,500.

Christ Church Cathedral School, Oxford: All-boys day school, fees about £16,000.

d’Overbroeck's: Not your most traditional senior school and sixth form, d’Overbroeck's offers a progressive education with students on first name terms with teachers, no uniform and small class sizes.

Cranford House, Wallingford: Co-ed day school, average fees around £15,000.

Wychwood School: A small senior school in Oxford where your child may benefit from excellent pastoral care, plenty of individual attention and access to a very broad curriculum. After 125 years of being an all-girls’ school, it’s opening admissions to boys too. Average fees around £19,500.

Note: Fees are approximate and may vary.

Best Areas to Live in Oxfordshire (with average monthly rents):

Oxford: The historic university city. Rent for a 3-bedroom house averages £2,200.

Abingdon: Riverside town with a rich history. 3-bedroom house rent stands at £1,600.

Woodstock: Close to Blenheim Palace, rents for a 3-bedroom house average £1,900.

Banbury: A bustling market town. Rent for a 3-bedroom house is about £1,300.

Henley-on-Thames: Famous for its regatta. Rent for a 3-bedroom house averages £2,500.

Witney: Traditional market town. Rent for a 3-bedroom house stands at £1,500.

Weather Insights

Oxfordshire experiences a temperate maritime climate:

• Winter (Dec-Feb): Average temperatures range from 1°C-8°C.
• Spring (Mar-May): Ranges between 3°C-15°C.
• Summer (Jun-Aug): Typical temperatures range from 11°C-24°C.
• Autumn (Sep-Nov): Temperatures hover between 8°C-16°C.

Sunshine Hours: Oxfordshire gets about 1,500 hours of sunshine annually, roughly in line with the UK average.

Nearest Cities (from Oxford, the county's main city):

1. Reading: Approximately 40km to the southeast.
2. Swindon: Roughly 45km to the west.
3. Coventry: Around 80km to the north.
4. Birmingham: About 110km to the north.
5. London: Approximately 90km to the southeast.

Oxfordshire, Our View

Oxfordshire, steeped in history and academic excellence, is a beautiful, thriving county that offers its residents a unique blend of ancient charm and modern conveniences. Its accessibility, combined with its educational institutions, booming industries, and cultural offerings, make it an attractive destination for a broad spectrum of individuals.

Oxfordshire Ratings

Oxfordshire Pros & Cons