Ipsden is a small village tucked away in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, in a corner of South Oxfordshire. The centre of Ipsden village lies roughly 10 miles north of Reading and 16 miles south of Oxford. The charming riverside and bustling market towns of Henley-on-Thames and Wallingford are 16 and 6 minutes away respectively by car. The equally lovely riverside villages of Goring & Streatley are only 8 minutes away by car.
In addition to the village centre, the Ipsden parish boundaries include the hamlets of Forest Row, Hailey, Homer, Well Place, Berins Hill and Ipsden Heath.
Ipsden, together with it's hamlets, comprises a population of just under 300. There is an excellent community spirit and an attractive and popular Pub, The King William, which is known for good beer and food. You will also find in Ipsden:
- a Nursery School
- a Village Store and Post Office
- a Farm Shop
- a well supported Church with a Vicar who actually lives in the village
- a well kept and well used Village Hall
- a children's playground with swings, playwall, and a playset with slides, tyre swing, climbing ropes and playhouse.
- a famous and active Cricket Club
- a residential College offering many vocational studies
- the most glorious countryside and views in Southern England
The list above is not exhaustive, but it hopefully gives a flavour of Ipsden and its life.
Residents who need to commute enjoy a road network that gets them to work in Reading in under 20 minutes, Oxford in under 30, Wallingford in 6, or Goring & Streatley in 8 minutes. The M40 junction 6 is easily accessible, as is the M4 junction junction 8/9 (for travelling to London or Heathrow), or junction 12 (for travelling west). Similarly, very frequent rail travel to London is available at Reading (taking only 30 minutes from Reading to Paddington), or from Goring & Streatley taking 58 minutes.
School buses serve the good local county primary and secondary schools, and the Joint Abingdon Schools bus service stops less than a mile away in North Stoke serving:- Abingdon School, St Helen & St Katherine's, Our Lady's Convent and The Manor Prep School. The Oratory Prep School and The Oratory Senior School are both only a few minutes drive away in nearby Cray's Pond and Woodcote.
Ipsden's farming is busy and healthy, and local produce is available from a thriving Farm Shop.
There are many other aspects of Ipsden, but most of all there is peace in the beautiful countryside with some of the most stunning views and walks in this part of England. The Ridgeway and the Icknield Way both pass through Ipsden; those paths with their many branches winding through the surrounding fields and woods make the hustle and bustle of the modern world seem far away. While walking in the Ipsden area, you are likely to see a wide range of birds and wildlife.
Deer are found in the woods and the famous Red Kites, which were reintroduced to the Chilterns in the mid 1980s, are often to be seen.
This site is maintained by Ipsden Parish Council. Please use the Contact Us link if you have a contribution or comment as we always appreciate your feedback. Please allow time for a response as the Parish Council meets bi-monthly.
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