Discover 7 Villages in Berkshire to Relocate To
Are you considering a move to one of the villages in Berkshire?
Renowned for its rich history, beautiful countryside, and excellent transport connections, Berkshire is a highly desirable county for homebuyers looking for a rural setting with fast and convenient access to London.
Whether you’re seeking a peaceful retreat, a family-friendly environment, or easy access to schools and transport, the villages in Berkshire provide plenty of choice.
Here are some of the villages we would recommend.
Pangbourne
Situated on the River Thames, the village of Pangbourne has a good mix of local shops, a supermarket, health services, and a range of pubs and restaurants.
Pangbourne is surrounded by open countryside, with many interesting walks and riverside meadows.
Additionally, the Pangbourne Adventure Dolphin Centre provides opportunities for outdoor activities such as kayaking and paddleboarding.
Proximity to London makes Pangbourne one of the most popular villages in Berkshire for commuters. Its station has direct services to London Paddington in approximately 45 minutes, as well as connections to Reading, Oxford, and the Elizabeth Line.
Convenient access to the M4 ensures the area is well-connected, without being impacted by road noise pollution.
Good access to quality education in both the private and state sectors makes Pangbourne popular with families, with respected schools nearby including Pangbourne College, Bradfield College, and Pangbourne Primary School.
Bus services provide access to additional schools in the region, and Reading School and Kendrick School are within a short train journey.
Bray
Bray is another pretty village by the Thames, renowned for its world-class dining and desirable residences.
One of the best villages in Berkshire for food enthusiasts, Bray is home to Michelin-starred restaurants such as The Fat Duck, The Waterside Inn, and The Hinds Head, as well as other notable venues like Caldesi in Campagna and The Crown.
Its riverside location provides opportunities for leisurely walks or boat trips, with Windsor easily accessible by car, bicycle, or even boat.
Although you are very close to Maidenhead you feel a million miles away! Maidenhead station offers fast trains into London Paddington in under 20 minutes and access to the Elizabeth Line, connecting directly to Bond Street and Canary Wharf.
The M4 and Heathrow Airport are also within easy reach, enhancing connectivity.
Bray is surrounded by excellent schooling options, including Oldfield School, Braywick Primary, Lambrook, and St George’s Windsor, as well as renowned senior schools such as Eton and Holyport College.
Holyport
Holyport is a picturesque village with a charming village green and a highly regarded primary school.
While maintaining a rural feel, it offers easy access to Maidenhead’s station and wider amenities, making it a popular choice for families and equestrian enthusiasts, with several polo stud farms in the area.
Local shops cater to everyday needs, including a butcher and a delightful coffee and gift shop, while more extensive shopping and dining options can be found in Maidenhead, Windsor, and Ascot.
The village is also within reach of renowned restaurants, including The Waterside Inn and The Fat Duck in Bray, and The Winning Post in Maidens Green.
Holyport benefits from excellent connectivity, with the M4 offering links to the M25 and A404(M)/M40, and fast train services to London Paddington from Maidenhead.
Outstanding schools in the area include Holyport College, Eton College, and Lambrook, along with several prestigious independent schools nearby.
Wargrave
Wargrave is a sought-after riverside village with easy access to Twyford station, where mainline services connect to London Paddington, the Elizabeth Line, as well as Reading for connections to the wider national rail network.
Wargrave’s own railway station offers links to Henley-on-Thames via Shiplake, making it convenient for local and long-distance travel.
The village has a doctor’s surgery, a village shop, a chemist, two churches, and two well-known pubs, including the St George and Dragon, which boasts a terrace overlooking the Thames.
For families considering villages in Berkshire, Wargrave is a popular choice being home to the Robert Piggott School, with dedicated infant, primary, and secondary sites.
With a thriving tennis club, cricket and football pitches, a bowling green, and the nearby Hennerton Golf Course, there are plenty of recreation options. Additionally, on the river there is a local boat club and two marinas.
Henley-on-Thames, just four miles away, offers a broader range of shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions, including a theatre and cinema.
Sunninghill and Sunningdale
Sunninghill and Sunningdale, often referred to as ‘the twin villages’, are located near the Surrey border, providing easy access to Ascot and Windsor.
The area is renowned for its golfing opportunities, with prestigious clubs such as Wentworth and Sunningdale Golf Club nearby.
The villages offer a variety of local independent shops, restaurants, and pubs, fostering a vibrant community atmosphere.
Sunningdale station provides direct train services to London Waterloo. By road, the villages are well-connected, with proximity to the M3, M4, and M25 motorways, and Heathrow Airport is easily accessible.
The area boasts several esteemed schools, including Charters School, The Marist School, St. Francis, and St. Michael’s. Additionally, independent schools such as Lambrook, Papplewick, St. George’s, and St. Mary’s are within reach.
Nearby attractions include Ascot Racecourse, Coworth Park, Guards Polo Club, Legoland, Swinley Forest, Virginia Water Lake, Windsor Castle, and Windsor Great Park.
The Lexicon in Bracknell offers extensive shopping and leisure facilities, further enhancing the appeal of Sunninghill and Sunningdale as desirable places to live.
Sonning-on-Thames
Sonning-on-Thames is a charming and historic riverside village, known for its period properties and scenic lanes. The village offers a selection of local amenities, including highly regarded pubs, a riverside hotel, a dinner theatre, and popular dining options.
Like many of the picturesque villages in Berkshire, its location provides ample opportunities for riverside walks and boating on the Thames.
Sonning benefits from excellent transport links, with nearby access to the M4 (Junctions 8/9 and 10), providing routes to London, the West Country, and Heathrow Airport, just 26 miles away.
Mainline stations in Reading, Twyford, and Maidenhead offer fast services to London Paddington, the Elizabeth Line to Liverpool Street, and connections to the wider rail network.
Families are well-served by local schools, including the highly regarded Sonning Church of England Primary School and independent options such as Reading Blue Coat School, Shiplake College, and The Abbey School.
Nearby towns like Reading, Henley, and Maidenhead offer additional shopping, leisure, and recreational facilities.
Finchampstead
Finchampstead, located just outside Wokingham on the Berkshire/Hampshire border, is a desirable village surrounded by National Trust woodland.
The village has a community feel and popular residential roads supported by local amenities including shops for everyday needs, restaurants, pubs, a GP surgery, and a dentist.
Finchampstead is a popular location for families wanting to take advantage of the schools and shopping in the nearby market town of Wokingham, just four miles away.
Well-regarded schools in the area include Ludgrove, St Neots, Lambrook, Hall Grove, Reddam House, and Wellington College. Exceptional leisure opportunities are also nearby, with horse racing at Ascot, golf at Wentworth, and flying facilities at Blackbushe.
Commuters can pick up the train in either Wokingham or go slightly further to Twyford where the links into Paddington are faster and is also a stop for the Elizabeth Line.
Additionally, nearby stations such as Fleet and Farnborough provide services to London Waterloo. The M3 and M4 motorways, along with Heathrow and Farnborough airports, are easily accessible.
Berkshire property for sale
If you are looking for a property in Berkshire, enlisting the services of a professional property finder can be very advantageous. With expert knowledge and local insight, they often have access to prime properties not listed on the open market.
To find out more about what the villages in Berkshire have to offer and to discuss your moving plans, contact Garrington for an initial meeting without obligation.
