WHY? 

In recent years, Yattendon’s been a firm favourite for families escaping the big smoke. Why? It’s rom-com pretty for starters with a harmonious selection of grand houses and cute cottages. It’s surrounded by good state and independent schools, and appeals to both the traditional hunting, shooting and fishing crowd, and fun-loving cocktail crews.

EAT

There are three pubs within walking distance of each other. The Royal Oak has the prime location in the village square serving excellent pub grub, including an outstanding Sunday roast. The West Berkshire Brewery Taproom is a casual, quirky alternative serving pizzas and burgers and The Pot Kiln just a mile down the road in Frilsham is a game pub with enviable countryside views from the garden. The Pantry café is popular hangout for school run mums and working from homers getting their morning caffeine fix. For a foodie night out, Sadgrove Supper Club is a hidden gem monthly pop up serving exceptional dishes from foraged ingredients. It’s wild wizardry.

SHOP

For a village this small it punches above well above its weight. Yattendon boasts a superb village shop that stocks fresh fruit and veg, meat from Vicar’s Game and Berkshire Botanical gins (what more could you need?). The Wine Man has a shop at the farm unit, where you’ll also find Hope Fashion, Josephine Home bed linen and Velospeed electric bike shop. For beauty fans, there’s a hair and beauty salon – Adam & Eve hair and Calmingales Beauty. Nearby you’ll find the brand new Berkshire Botanical gin distillery and Ma and Pa Middleton’s famous Party Pieces. Yattendon Estate is also the largest Christmas tree grower in the UK and they open their Barn for sales, with people travelling from all over to grab a top notch spruce.

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

Who said country life was boring? Yattendon has a tennis and cricket club, a boutique gym, and there’s plenty of walks to satisfy the welly brigade. Kids will love Bucklebury Farm Park and The Living Rainforest and Frilsham Park, with its climbing frame and zipwire, is a bit of free fun to enjoy. A little further afield you’ll find Newbury Racecourse, Basildon Park National Trust, Royal Berkshire Shooting School. And don’t forget the brilliant Watermill Theatre and Corn Exchange for a cultural fix. The big social event is the Yattendon and Frilsham Fête, Oktoberwest Beer Festival is a crowd-pleaser and drop in at Yattendon’s Classic Car Show… if only to sample the cream teas.

AVERAGE HOUSE PRICE

The average price for property in Yattendon is a staggering £1,411,913. Although a large proportion of the properties here are owned by Yattendon Estate. The ones that do come on the market in Yattendon and neighbouring Frilsham get snapped up quickly. So you’ll need to be quick.

HOT PROPERTY

SCHOOLS

Very good state options. The village has a small primary – Yattendon CofE School boasting small class sizes and good pastoral care. It feeds into The Downs School, an outstanding secondary. Harriet House is an exceptional nursery (ages 0-5) in an idyllic location. Looking for prep schools? Brockhurst & Marlston House, Elstree, St Andrew’s and Moulsford are nearby. Your senior options include Pangbourne College, Downe House and Bradfield College.

BEST KEPT SECRET

The village school has a lot in common with London’s Natural History Museum –it was built by the famous architect and local resident Alfred Waterhouse. Other famous residents include restaurant critic Egon Ronay and Sir Henry Norreys, a Tudor courtier who was rumoured to be getting jiggy with Queen Anne Boleyn. Saucy.

COMMUTE

If you’re London bound, Pangbourne (11 mins drive away) is your best bet with fast Paddington trains taking just 49 minutes. Theale is also an option. The drive to the station takes about 14 minutes. Annual season ticket from £4,860 or £5,900 including Zone 1-6 Travelcard and flexibility to use either Pangbourne or Theale train stations. It’s also about 15 minutes from the M4 and A34.

View the full Top 200 Places to Live