Botley Area Guide

Are there local transport links nearby?

As previously mentioned, we are well situated for access to the A34 and the A420, which are both important thoroughfares into and out of Oxford to the surrounding areas.

Botley, where our South Oxforshire branch is based, is also just 1.5 miles from Oxford station, from where you can catch trains to all of the major cities in the UK. As well as further access to Oxford Parkway station in Kidlington which is only a further junction down the A34.

The city4/4A/4B buses regularly run from Botley to Oxford city centre, Abingdon and Cumnor. The S1 bus also runs through Botley connecting Oxford and Witney.

What's the local food and drink scene like?

If you’re looking for places to eat in Botley, you won’t be disappointed. Restaurants include Café Aloha, which serves lunch, breakfast and dinner, as well as a selection of tapas, Brasserie B, an Indian restaurant, and the fishes Pub in Hinksey, serving classic pub fare.

For a good selection of drinking pubs and bars, you do have to head into central Oxford or too one of the surrounding villages for a number of elegant yet fun venues to frequent. In oxford you will find many of the big chains, as well as lesser-known bars such as Raoul's and The Varsity Club with its rooftop bar.

Central Oxford is also home to many world-class restaurants, including Gee’s Restaurant, which serves Mediterranean food in a beautiful glass house, Pierre Victoire, an independent French restaurant, and Shangai 30’s.

How does Botley rate for sport and leisure facilities?

Brookes Sport is located in Botley and can be used by the community (for a membership fee). A £900,000 investment means that the centre provides top of the range facilities, including a heated pool, gym, physiotherapy clinic, sauna and steam room, sports hall, squash courts, golf course and more. As well as Rugby , tennis and archery in Hinksey which is considered part of the wider Botley area by many.

What can you do on a sunny day?

Surrounded by the Oxfordshire countryside, Botley is a great place to be if the sun decides to shine. Open spaces in neighbouring areas include Raleigh Park, Boars Hill, Bagley Wood and Farmoor Reservoir, which offers activities including countryside walks, birdwatching, sailing and wind surfing.

In Hinksey, there’s also the heated outdoor pool, golf club and Old Manor House Riding School. Find out more about walking, cycling and riding in the area from the Botley and North Hinksey Community site.

What can you do on a rainy day?

The Phoenix Picturehouse is just 2.2 miles from Botley and shows a number of Hollywood films, as well as live recorded theatre and documentaries. There’s also an Odeon cinema two miles away in central Oxford, but from the A34 access to the vew

If you head into the historic city centre, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to indoor attractions. Popular examples include The Ashmolean Museum, The Bodleian Library and The Pitt Rivers Museum.

For the kids, there’s the Oxford Ice Rink, Oxford Castle Unlocked and South Oxford Adventure Playground.

What's Botley like for food and retail shopping?

Botley has its own shopping centre, the Westway Shopping Centre, which is home to a range of retail stores. In Botley itself, you’ll find stores including Homebase, Oxford Interiors and Lloyds Pharmacy. There is also the proposed Botley District Centre regeneration, which would see some of the biggest names in leisure and retail come to the area.

Residents can of course head into central Oxford, where they’ll find all of the major high-street stores and numerous independent boutiques.

In terms of food shopping, Botley is well equipped with a Waitrose, Tesco Express, Co-operative Supermarket and Aldi.

What does Botley offer in terms of entertainment?

For world-class entertainment, residents can head into central Oxford, where there are venues including the New Theatre Oxford, which hosts big names like Dylan Moran and Katherine Jenkins, The Oxford Playhouse, The Sheldonian Theatre and the O2 Academy.

Are there decent local amenities such as libraries and health centres?

Botley is well served by local amenities, with the Botley Medical Centre taking care of local health concerns, dental practices such as Botley Dental Practice and Clinic 95. There is also the Botley Library, which provides computers and internet and host kids events such as Rhymetime and Storytime.

What's the local traffic and parking like?

There are three car parks around the Westway Shopping Centre on Church Way, Chapel Way and Elms Parade. The car parks offer free parking for up to three hours, whilst residents and businesses can apply for parking permits.

How well is the area served by primary and secondary schools?

Residents of Botley have access to a number of popular primary and secondary schools. Primary schools include Botley School, which is rated as ‘Good’ by OFSTED, West Oxford Community Primary School, also rated as ‘Good’ and North Hinksey Church of England Primary School, also rated as ‘Good’.

Secondary schools include Matthew Arnold School and slightly further afield but equally easy to access with Public transport is Larkmead School, John Mason School and Fitzharris in Abingdon as well as a number of Private schools in Oxfordshire as a whole. To find out more about buying or renting a property in Botley, call or visit the local Andrews branch.