Berkshire


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why">WHY?</h2>



<p>A family-friendly haven surrounded by great state and independent schools, tasty eateries, beautiful walking routes, and Finchampstead even has its own country park. For those wanting to escape the city grind, but not keen on being out in the sticks, it’s thumbs up all round.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat">EAT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/01/1-2.png" alt="The Greyhound Finchampstead" class="wp-image-40452" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/01/1-2.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/01/1-2-300x200.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/01/1-2-720x480.png 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/01/1-2-150x100.png 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/01/1-2-768x511.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/01/1-2-788x525.png 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>We&#8217;re big fans of local haunt <a href="https://greyhoundfinchampstead.co.uk/">The Greyhound</a>. The buzzy gastropub has seriously good food &#8211; all made with seasonal local produce (you can see my review <a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/pubs-inns/review-brunch-the-greyhound-finchampstead-berkshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>). There&#8217;s also <a href="https://www.thequeensoak.com/">The Queen&#8217;s Oak</a> (only pub of its name in the UK apparently) offering fuss-free, solid pub classics with a great garden. Down the road in Wokingham, modern Indian Kitchen <a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/bombay-story-wokingham-maidenhead/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bombay Story</a> is worth a trip, as is cool new kid on the block <a href="https://fareeatery.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FARE Eatery</a>.</p>



<p>Well, well, have we got brews for you! Family-owned <a href="https://www.sirencraftbrew.com/">Siren Craft Brew</a> is hip, trendy, and just fab. It&#8217;s Tap Yard is open Tue-Sun serving craft beer made on site, with lip-smacking street food dished out at weekends. There’s also <a href="https://www.elusivebrewing.com/">Elusive Brewing</a> pouring groovy pints just around the corner on the weekends. For cocktails, Wokingham is stacked with brilliant bars. Try <a href="https://leafyelephant.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Leafy Elephant</a> or <a href="https://www.grasshopperbar.co.uk/">Grasshopper</a>. We love a good local.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop">SHOP</h2>



<p>Named after the families who have previously served the community with daily goods, <a href="https://goswellandbirds.co.uk/farm-shop.html">Goswell &amp; Birds Village Store</a> (next door to and owned by The Greyhound) doubles up as a farm and coffee shop. It’s traditional with a trendy twist and stocks premium British produce including seafood, rare breed meats, but also all your standard essentials too (plus, much, much more). There&#8217;s ethical lifesyle brand, <a href="https://www.yunikulondon.com/">Yuniku</a>, selling exquisitely designed womenswear. For a serious splurge head to Wokingham and find high street faves like Oliver Bonas, Sweaty Betty, and Muddy Award-winning Fiona Parry Boutique. Eversley&#8217;s <a href="https://www.eversleybarnantiques.co.uk/">Barn Antiques</a> is a fun mooch too.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/10/nirvana-2.jpg" alt="nirvana spa wokingham" class="wp-image-68172" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/10/nirvana-2.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/10/nirvana-2-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/10/nirvana-2-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/10/nirvana-2-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/10/nirvana-2-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>All the important services are on your doorstep. <a href="https://www.wellingtonfitness.co.uk/">Wellington Health and Fitness Club</a> is nearby complete with gym, swimming pool, a range of indoor sports, astroturf, and rock climbing wall. People travel far and wide for an indulgent spa day at the brilliant <a href="https://nirvanaspa.co.uk/">Nirvana Spa</a>. A proper detox with five pools, thermal suites, and a dead sea salt therapy pool. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thehair.club/">The Hair Club</a> is fab when it&#8217;s time for a chop, aches and pains be gone (we feel you) over at <a href="https://www.kinetictherapies.co.uk/">Kinetic Therapies</a>, and there&#8217;s a doctors surgery too. For your furries, there&#8217;s a vets &#8211; <a href="https://www.vetcollection.co.uk/south-east/nine-mile-veterinary-hospital/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nine Mile Veterinary Hospital</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<p>Finchampstead is a village with real community spirit. There’s an annual village summer fete complete with very British fare of strawberries and cream. If you want to get involved, there&#8217;s a community action group and various clubs including a gardening club. Bookworm? Peruse the shelves at the local library and enjoy a range of regular events.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="657" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/WBC-California-Country-Park-_039-1024x673-1.jpg" alt="California Country Park finchampstead" class="wp-image-65018" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/WBC-California-Country-Park-_039-1024x673-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/WBC-California-Country-Park-_039-1024x673-1-800x526.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/WBC-California-Country-Park-_039-1024x673-1-400x263.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/WBC-California-Country-Park-_039-1024x673-1-768x505.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Breathe in all that fresh, fresh air. Walks are aplenty in the area starting with the <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/surrey/runnymede-and-ankerwycke/visit-finchampstead-ridges">Finchampstead Ridges</a> which has been in the National Trust family for over 100 years. The 40-hectare <a href="https://www.wokinghamcountryside.co.uk/california-country-park">California Country Park</a> has scenic paths galore as well as a paddling pool and play park. The string of nearby lakes are every fisherman&#8217;s dream. Head to <a href="https://horseshoelakeactivitycentre.co.uk/">Horseshoe Lake Activity Centre</a> for a range of water-bound courses and activities including canoeing, dinghy sailing, paddle boarding, dragon boating, and raft building. There&#8217;s an onsite Italian Café for weary parents to grab a bite while the kids run wild too.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</h2>



<p>For a night of entertainment, head to Wokingham&#8217;s <a href="https://www.everymancinema.com/venues-list/x11nv-everyman-wokingham/">Everyman Cinema</a> and <a href="https://www.wokinghamtheatre.org.uk/">Wokingham Theatre</a>. Luckley House School&#8217;s <a href="https://www.luckleyhouseschool.org/the-whitty-theatre/">Whitty Theatre</a> is just down the road and <a href="https://whatsonreading.com/hexagon/whats-on">The Hexagon</a> in Reading is not far for big names like Dawn French and Jimmy Carr, plus touring theatre and opera. <a href="https://www.readingrep.com/">The Reading Rep</a> is also brilliant.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-price">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICE</h2>



<p>Up a little bit from last year, but still pretty reasonable for this neck of the woods. Properties in Finchampstead had an overall average price of £660,979 over the 12 months. The majority of sales were detached homes, typically selling for £875,235. Semi-detached would put you back £478,476, with terraced properties fetching £386,134.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/07/finchampstead.jpg" alt="houses for sale finchampstead" class="wp-image-69306" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/07/finchampstead.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/07/finchampstead-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/07/finchampstead-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/07/finchampstead-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A unique <a href="https://www.kiercharles.co.uk/properties/19976583/sales" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">6-bed modern delight</a> with an impressively stylish refurb. The kitchen is huuuuge. On the market for £1.5m.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurseries"><strong>NURSERIES</strong></h2>



<p>If a focus on the outdoors and an array of extra-curricular activities is what you&#8217;re after, Woodland situated, <a href="https://www.waverleynursery.co.uk/">Waverley Nursery</a> could be your bag. <a href="https://www.gorserideschools.co.uk/nursery">Gorse Ride Nursery</a> takes children aged between 3 – 5yrs, and is a great option, as is <a href="https://orchardhousenurseries.co.uk/nurseries/oak-tree-day-nursery-and-preschool">Oak Tree Day Nursery and Preschool</a>. <a href="https://www.completechildcare.co.uk/stepping-stones-day-nursery">Stepping Stones Day Nursery and Pre-School</a> has fantastic nature spaces outdoors with woodland play house, bug mansions, mud kitchens, and nature trails.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schools">SCHOOLS</h2>



<p>The area is certainly not short of fantastic schools. <a href="https://www.waverleyschool.co.uk/">Waverley Prep</a> is an excellent rated private primary and secondary which has consistently ranked in The Times Top 100 for the past 12 years. There&#8217;s also <a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/wellington-college-crowthorne/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wellington College</a>, <a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/luckley-house-school-wokingham-berkshire/#" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Luckley House</a>, <a href="https://www.eaglehouseschool.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wellington College Pre</a><a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/wellington-college-prep-sandhurst-berkshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">p</a>, <a href="https://www.stneotsprep.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Neots Prep</a>, and <a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/holme-grange-school-wokingham-berkshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Holme Grange</a> which are all great independents within striking distance. For local state primary schools, you have <a href="https://www.finchampsteadschool.org/">Finchampstead Primary School</a> and <a href="https://www.gorserideschools.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gorse Ride Junior</a>, as well as <a href="https://www.evendons-primary.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Evendons Primary</a>. Lots of solid options there.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret">BEST KEPT SECRET</h2>



<p>Finchampstead has the royal seal of approval. The village is said to have been frequented by many royals and even Roman emperors throughout history, including ladies&#8217; man Henry VIII who courted two local sisters. Legend has it, he had his eyes fixed on the youngest of the two. Meanwhile, the eldest was so besotted with the man of the moment, she threw herself off a balcony in a wild fit of jealousy (yikes!)</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute">COMMUTE</h2>



<p>There&#8217;s a direct route into the big smoke from Wokingham (15 min drive) which takes just over an hour. Pretty neat for a village setting. Season tickets are from £4,780.</p>



<p><em>View the full <a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live">Top 300 Best Places to Live</a></em></p>


Finchampstead

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