Is Goring-on-Thames a nice place to live?

Goring-on-Thames is a picturesque village that offers a unique blend of rural charm and modern amenities. Located on the River Thames in South Oxfordshire, it is in the Goring Gap, a scenic spot between the Berkshire Downs and Chiltern Hills.

Over the years it has become a charming living location that is still true to its historic roots while offering modern convenience for residents, particularly commuters who work in the city but want to opt for a quieter life.

Take a look at our area guide to find out more about the appeal of Goring-on-Thames.

Best place to live in Goring-on-Thames

Goring-on-Thames offers a variety of neighbourhoods that cater to different lifestyles.

Manor Road and Croft Road are areas known for their beautiful period homes, while the Lockstile Way area is a popular estate with family homes with good schools in an accessible distance.

Goring and Streatley are great villages offering the 'best of both' lifestyles – with beautiful and peaceful countryside on the doorstep, they also offer easy access to London, Reading and Oxford and great commuter links.

Transport links

Goring-on-Thames is well-connected, making it easy to travel to nearby cities and towns.

Goring & Streatley railway station is on the Great Western Main Line and has connections to London Paddington, Reading and Didcot, while road connections are available by the A329 and A4074.

The area is also home to many cycling and walking routes, including the Thames Path, Icknield Way, and the Ridgeway.

Schools in Goring

Goring has its own Church of England Primary School and is within the catchment area for Langtree Secondary School in Woodcote. Streatley also has a well-regarded primary school, which feeds into The Downs School for secondary education. The Downs School was recently judged as outstanding by Ofsted.

Additionally, this area is well-served by highly regarded private schools, including Cranford House, Moulsford Prep, and Oratory School.

Local shops

The village is home to a range of local shops, from everyday essentials to specialist vendors.

Amongst them, Goring Grocer and Goring Village Butchers are two proud local independents supplying fresh fruit, veg and meat.

Barbara’s is a unique shop which buys and sells antiques, bric-a-brac and vintage wares, while Goring Hardware has a range of home essentials. Beacon Flooring is a family-run business with over 50 years’ experience, and Reeds Art & Framing provides bespoke frames and local art.

Meanwhile, the village is also home to services such as a doctor’s surgery, a chemist, hairdressers and a Tesco Express.

Pubs, bars and restaurants

Goring-on-Thames offers a delightful range of dining options to suit various tastes. The Catherine Wheel, Goring’s oldest pub, is renowned for its good beer and great food. Pierreponts Café provides a welcoming atmosphere for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and afternoon tea. The Miller of Mansfield, an 18th-century coaching inn, features luxury bedrooms and a restaurant.

For those craving Indian cuisine, Masoom's Tandoori Restaurant is known for its high standards and fine wines. Don Giovanni Riverside Restaurant offers Italian dining in a beautiful riverside setting.

Nearby Streatley features The Bull Inn, a proud traditional country pub, and the Coppa Club, a contemporary converted inn with a bar and restaurant that serves cocktails and hosts functions and events.

Sports, leisure and outdoor spaces

Goring-on-Thames boasts a variety of sports clubs and facilities catering to different interests and skill levels. The Goring-on-Thames Cricket Club, established in 1876, offers teams for all ages and abilities, including a thriving academy. Football enthusiasts can join Goring United FC, a local club with men's and women's teams competing in the Thames Valley Premier League. Golfers will appreciate the Goring & Streatley Golf Club, which is open to both members and non-members and offers panoramic views and various events. Additionally, the village features a private gym at the Swan Hotel and the Goring Thames Sailing Club, providing ample opportunities for fitness and recreation.

Goring-on-Thames is surrounded by beautiful green spaces. These include the Gardiner Recreation Ground, a 5.5-acre green space with a well-equipped playground, The Thames Path, which offers stunning river views and lush meadows, ideal for walking, cycling, or jogging, and Hartslock Nature Reserve, which is known for its wildlife and scenic beauty.

Great Chalk Wood is a varied countryside trail with woodlands and farmlands, whilst Goring residents also have easy access to walks through the Goring Gap, access to the Ridgeway footpath and walks within National Trust land of The Holies and Lardon Chase.

Cultural attractions

The village has several cultural and historical sites and ties.

The St Thomas of Canterbury Church, which dates back to the 12^th century and features Norman and Gothic architecture. Goring Lock and Weir, a picturesque spot on the Thames, popular for riverside walks and photography, Goring and Streatley Bridge which offers some of the best views of the river and surrounding countryside, and the Thames Path National Trail.

It was also the home of George Michael up until the singer’s death in 2016.

House prices in Goring-on-Thames

House prices in Goring have averaged £858,272 over the past year according to Rightmove. Detached properties were the most commonly sold, with an average price of £1,135,243. Semi-detached properties sold for around £727,600, while terraced properties fetched about £487,143. Overall, the prices in Goring have increased by 8% compared to the previous year, although they are still 3% lower than the peak of £885,991 in 2022.

Contact our Goring team today to find out more about the area or browse properties for sale and to let today.