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Cotswolds (North), Oxfordshire (North) and Warwickshire Regional information

Regional information for the North Cotswolds, North Oxfordshire and Warwickshire area

Towns

Alcester

House searching in this old market town 8 miles west of Stratford benefits from being located close to four main “A” roads. Originating from Roman times this town offers a mix of traditional and modern in its housing style, yet they coexist harmoniously, meaning that the town still embodies a community feel.

Balsall Common

A large village just west of Coventry straddling the A452 from Birmingham. Balsall Common has become more urbanised in recent years due to the influences from the surrounding towns and cities such as Warwick, Leamington Spa and obviously Birmingham. Most of the houses were built in the 20th century meaning that the village has a very modern feel compared to some of the more traditional towns and villages in the Warwickshire area.

Banbury

This very sought after town Located off junction 11 of the M40, Banbury has been the focus of much development in recent years. Epitomised by the famous nursery rhyme “Ride and Cock Horse,” Banbury Cross provides a focal point to the town, and shops, restaurants and bars  have been developed to give Banbury a community feel. Located on the Oxfordshire, Warwickshire border, Banbury is surrounded by tranquil countryside as well as boasting a good selection of Independent and State schools in the surrounding area. The mainline Chiltern train station is only 56 minutes to London Marylebone (56 minutes) as well as trains running as far south as Plymouth and as far north as Aberdeen. The Castle Quay shopping centre has meant that accessing high street chains is easy and efficient whilst still retaining a traditional country feel. The surrounding villages such as Wroxton, Swerford, Shenington, Shutford etc are very popular for those wanting to find a house in a rural location while still commuting back to the city.

Bicester

Bicester is one of the most sought after towns in north Oxfordshire. Famous for the designer outlet centre Bicester Village, this town is visited frequently by fashion conscious people all around the country. Located just off the M40 transport links to London are quick and easy combined with the Chiltern rail service which arrives at London Marylebone in about 45 minutes. The surrounding area boasts beautiful countryside and postcard perfect villages making London seem far further away than it actually is. Oxford is a short drive away to the south west, meaning that there is always something to entertain you around the area. Recently Bicester has grown substantially with numerous new houses being built.

Bidford-on-Avon

Situated on the River Avon, Bidford is west of Stratford on the A46. The town remains rural and under modernised despite its close proximity to good communications with the A46 running north to Birmingham and South to Cheltenham. The surrounding villages contain typical types of rural properties that make such good homes that have made Warwickshire such a desirable place to live.

Bishops Cleeve

A large village just north of Cheltenham in Gloucestershire, Bishops Cleeve lies at the foot of Cleeve Hill the highest point in the Cotswolds and overlooks the famous Cheltenham Racecourse. With houses still in use from the 12th century, Bishops Cleeve is full of lovely period properties as well as containing a new development of 450 contemporary houses in 2010.

Bourton-on-the-Water

Often voted one of the prettiest villages in England, Bourton consists of all the aspects ideal of village life. With beautiful stone houses, a collection of independent shops, pubs and tea rooms, Bourton also has a small and beautiful park perfect for lounging around on a hot summer’s day. With close links to Cheltenham, Bourton also offers a rural setting for those who do not want to be too far from the amenities a bigger town can offer. One house buying tip is that this village is very busy in the summer with tourists making it difficult to park etc.

Broadway

Just inside the east Worcestershire boarder, Broadway is a delightful village epitomising the Cotswold way of living. Known as a centre for arts and antiques, all located in picturesque Cotswold stone properties, Broadway is often referred to as the “jewel of the Cotswolds.” Just off the A44 transport links to Cheltenham and Evesham are quick and simple, yet the town remains a traditional peaceful community area for its residences. Very popular with second home owners and downsizers.

Cheltenham

This traditional spa town on the western edge of the Cotswolds is home to some of the most prestigious schools in the country. As well as the superb education, this town boasts a collection of unique boutique shops, beautiful regency terrace houses and its own very famous racecourse and festival. In the heart of Gloucestershire, this town is close to the M5 providing fast links to Bristol and has its own mainline train station.

Chipping Campden

This small market town in Gloucestershire on the edge of the Cotswolds is a beautiful traditional town, comprising of idyllic Cotswold Stone town houses in the High Street while in rambling countryside Country Homes dominate the surrounding villages. With an elegant, traditional high street, the town offers local produce and shops to its residence creating a really rural feeling. Home to the Cotswold games, a annual fun event mimicking the Olympic games, Chipping Campden truly offers community rural living.

Chipping Norton

More commonly known as “Chippy “to the locals, Chipping Norton is located in the shadow of the Cotswold hills and home to the “Chipping Norton Set”. With over 20 pubs and restaurants, a collection of shops and its own small theatre, Chippy is the perfect base for explore the surrounding countryside. With direct bus links into both Oxford and Stratford, both only 20 miles away, Chippy is easily accessible whilst remaining the epitome of country living.

Dorridge

Separated from Birmingham in the north by a green belt area, Dorridge is just south of the M42 and Solihull. This northern Warwickshire village is a more peaceful area whilst being in close proximity to Birmingham, and with its own rail line to the city access couldn’t be easier.

Evesham

This rural market town on the Worcestershire, Warwickshire boarder with the River Avon meandering through it, is a prime example of a beautiful country town. The Litchfield bell tower is all that remains from the old Evesham Abby but the town still retains traditional medieval aspects throughout. With the A44 running close by this town has good access to the other major towns and cities in the area, and the surrounding countryside includes the edges of the beautiful Cotswolds. The Evesham Vale grows some of our Country’s best produce with thousands of acres of fertile land.

Henley –in-Arden

This beautiful north Warwickshire town is a real treasure between the historical Warwick and the more urban Redditch. The town consists of traditional Warwickshire buildings, and many local shops and restaurants as well as a prized art gallery, meaning that the town has a real community feel yet is still close to the more urban areas in the north as well as being just south of the M40. This small town is a commuter town for Birmingham.

Kenilworth

Located in central Warwickshire, Kenilworth is 6 miles north of Warwick and 6 miles south of Coventry. Kenilworth offers a more rural setting between some more urban areas. Currently undergoing a facelift with new retail shopping areas, Kenilworth is being influenced by the urban areas in the north, however it still maintains its traditional aspects such as a castle and two local theatres. Warwick station is just down the road for commuting south or north.

Knowle

Just of junction 5 of the M42 Knowle benefits from sitting on a green belt separating it from the hustle and bustle of Solihull and Birmingham. Practically now attached to neighbour Dorridge due to development in recent years, Knowle has benefitted by gaining a large range of shops and amenities yet still retains its traditional facade with plenty of timber buildings.

Leamington Spa

Named after the River Leam that flows through the centre of the town, Leamington offers the slightly more metropolitan country dwellers a chance to be in a vibrant, busy town, full of high street shops, bars and restaurants. Located in close proximity to the more traditional Warwick, and with a good mainline station, and frequent bus services Leamington is easily accessible from most areas of Warwickshire and the rest of the country. Part of Warwick University is in the town so student flats are a big business. Jaguar Landrover in Gaydon and Coventry has also caused a problem for house buyers due to lack of stock.

Moreton-in-Marsh

Situated on the Fosse way, Moreton is a desirable town on the Gloucestershire, Warwickshire boarder. With its own small train station with trains into Oxford and London Paddington via Reading and a regular bus service, Moreton provides truly rural living without being too isolated. New small supermarkets, a new medical centre and an excellent garden centre has meant that everything one needs is in walking distance. The houses in the town and surrounding areas are made up of the famous Cotswolds stone, making the town a beautiful rural treasure.  There is a weekly market in the town square. Many good houses are sold off market so a Search Agent offering buying advise is advisable. Don’t miss The Moreton Show on the first Saturday of September each year.

Oxford

This University town is a common destination for tourists as it boasts magnificent architecture and a fantastic range of events and amenities to suit any taste. The city offers great transport links all around the surrounding areas as well as into London and Birmingham. A good selection of schools, The Dragon, Summerfields, St. Edwards, are located in the city centre and its surrounding areas, and with the prestigious university occupying large areas of the city, educational excellence is a core philosophy for the development of the younger generations. The city is surrounded by beautiful countryside and quaint villages and towns especially to the north all with easy access to the draw of Oxford city centre. The recent addition of Oxford Parkway station just to the north is an extension of the Chiltern Line to Marylebone.

Redditch

Only 15 miles south of Birmingham, Redditch is an easily accessible town in the north of Worcestershire. Being south of the urban area of the West midlands, Redditch does suffer from a confusing road system, however once mastered it means that navigating yourself around the area is quick and easy.

Shipston-on-Stour

This traditional rural town in the south of Warwickshire optimises country living. Thriving on local businesses with a butcher, a greengrocers and fishmongers, Shipston really provides a community rural experience. The recently added Bower House provides that eating experience that had been lacking from the 5 pubs. Located on a direct route to Stratford and Oxford means that the town is in easy reach when needing something slightly more exotic than what the local producers can offer. The surrounding villages are perfect pictures of rural life. Often being voted into the top 10 market towns in the country.

Southam

Southam is a small market town in the centre of Warwickshire, close to the amenities of Leamington Spa. Located on the River Stowe, the town does still maintain some traditional aspects.

Stow-on-the-Wold

A small, market town in the Cotswold hills, Stowe is a typical town for the area. Set on the Fosse way, and close to the busier town of Cheltenham, Stowe offers proper country living. With a collection of traditional pubs and shops, as well as a supermarket Stowe has the perfect balance of new and old, and the properties still retains the beautiful Cotswolds stone throughout. This area is really sought after by house hunters with properties often going for more than the asking price.

Stratford-Upon-Avon

Most famously known for the birthplace of William Shakespeare, Stratford offers a wide range of activities and events to suit all interests. Located in Warwickshire the town has easy links to Warwick in the north and Oxford and the Cotswolds in the south, it is also surrounded by a collection of quaint villages and smaller market towns. Stratford not only offers the famous RSC theatre but also has a wide collection of shops and restaurants and has the added bonus of the racecourse perfect for a family day out. West of the M40 and with its own train station, Stratford offers easy access to both the north and the south of the country yet remains a traditional, amicable town with a strong local community.

Studley

4 miles south east of Redditch, Studley is on the edge of the Warwickshire boarder with Worcestershire. Being north of the Cotswold are and closer to Birmingham means that the village has become modernised in comparison to some of the traditional villages to the south, however Studley does give great links into Birmingham via its proximity to the M40. The village does support its very own castle which injects some traditional Warwickshire into the village.

Warwick

Lying upon the rover Avon, and with the impressive Warwick castle imposing itself onto the backdrop on the town centre, Warwick is a truly beautiful tradition market town in the heart of Warwickshire. With two train stations, simple access to the M40 and its proximity to the fashionable shopping of Leamington Spa, Warwick offers its residence a perfect slice of country living without appearing too remote. Seeped in history, the surrounding areas are comprised of idyllic villages and rolling countryside. As with Leamington Spa the housing market has had the Jaguar Landrover effect and there is a shortage of good properties in certain price ranges.

Wellesbourne

Often referred to as a small commuter town, due to its proximity to Stratford, Warwick, Banbury and Leamington Spa, Wellesbourne has undergone some modern development in the last two decades yet still retains some its old Warwickshire charm. Close to the M40 means this town in the centre of Warwickshire provides a country haven whilst being conveniently located for businessmen and women.  There is a weekly market on the airfield. The owners of the airfield have developed parts of the property and are trying to develop it all which would mean losing the airfield with the flying schools having to relocate. Due to position of Wellesbourne there is quite a lot of new developments being built on the outskirts.

Witney

Being the former Prime minister David Cameron’s Constituency until his resignation after the Brexit vote, Witney has recently received a lot of attention. A thriving market town in North Oxfordshire, Witney offers its residence a wide range of amenities and attractions, including numerous restaurants shops and its own cinema complex. Just to the west of Oxford Witney is located just off the A40 which continues from Oxford through to Cheltenham. The surrounding area contains a collection of small villages on the edge of the sought after Cotswolds area.

Woodstock

Famous for being the home of the historic Blenheim Palace, Woodstock is a thriving, traditional market town in the north of Oxfordshire, 8 miles north of oxford. The River Glyme separates the town into the “old and new” yet both sides contain houses built with traditional Oxfordshire stone, making a beautiful place to live. Local shops and pubs thrive in the area, and Blenheim regular hosts events that are open to the public, meaning that there is always something new and exciting when living here.  Surrounding villages have many houses on sale that give the Country lifestyle that some new country home buyers are after.

Schools in and around the Area- Independent Schools

List of Councils in the Area

Transport Links

Train:

High Speed Rail Transport Link (HS2)

The proposed route for the new high speed rail train does cut through some of this beautiful area in the midlands. The line will affect the northern Warwickshire towns more, being directed through the gap between Kenilworth and Coventry. However the benefits this line will bring include getting to London in under an hour, and the trains will be designed to carry more passengers meaning that trains should be less cramp and more comfortable.

For more information on the HS2 rail route please go to:

http://highspeedrail.dft.gov.uk/proposed-route

List of Schools in and around the area- State Schools

 

What will a Stacks buying agent in Cotswolds (North), Oxfordshire (North) and Warwickshire do for you?

Professional Expertise

We’ll talk with you about how you want to live, the demands of your work, and your plans. We’ll establish what you need from your next home… and why.

Finding a Property

We’ll scour the market, bend the ears of our contacts, and hound the estate agents. We’ll leave no stone unturned to find the right home for you.

Saving you Money

We’ll haggle hard and bring all that we’ve discovered to bear to agree the best terms on your behalf. Our clients enjoy preferred bidder status with estate agents. 

Trouble Free Completion

We’ll problem-bust, tackle obstacles, arrange surveys, and liaise with planners. A myriad of issues can raise their head at this point… we’ll deal with them all for you.

Contact Sharon to discuss what you are looking for.
Tel: 07891 431317 / 01608 661427 Email: sharon@stacks.co.uk

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