Situated less than 40 miles from London, Wokingham is a historic market town, perfect for families.
With its newly renovated train station, excellent choice of schools and plenty of amenities on its doorstep, it should come as no surprise that Wokingham was voted as being one of the best places to live in the UK.
But that’s not all. The town offers a range of lovely areas in which to put down roots, including the picturesque village of Finchampstead in the borough of Wokingham, the idyllic area of Barkham, and Arborfield which is situated 4.5 miles south east of Reading and west of Wokingham. Wokingham’s tight knit community feel also adds to its desirable attributes.
If you’re looking to buy or rent in Wokingham, you’ve certainly landed in the right place. Here’s our guide to living in and moving to Wokingham – we hope you find it useful.
Average house prices in Wokingham
Editor note: House prices updated March 2024
In the last year (March 2023 to February 2024), properties in Wokingham sold for an average price of £540k. Detached properties unsurprisingly fetched a higher selling price of nearly £752k apiece, while semi-detached properties came in slightly under Wokingham’s overall property average, with a selling price of £507k. In these last 12 months, flats typically sold for around £286k.
These prices are generally in line with the previous 12 months (March 2022 to February 2023) and are around 10% higher than the peak of 2021’s average house price of £492k in Wokingham.
House rental prices in Wokingham
Editor note: House rental prices updated March 2024
As of March 2024, there were 46 properties for rent in Wokingham, with about two-thirds being houses, and one-third being flats; on average, houses cost £2,126 to rent per month while flats are £1,511. Most properties currently for rent are 2-bedroomed but there are also 3-, 4- and 1-bedroomed properties.
Areas nearby
Wokingham’s surrounding areas offer lots of fantastic places to visit, including Barkham, Winnersh, Finchampstead and Sindlesham.
With pretty meadows, lush forests, impressive architecture and fantastic business networks, Wokingham is perfectly located to offer the perfect balance between city and rural living.
Transport links in Wokingham
Wokingham offers a convenient mix of transport options, making it easy to explore the town itself and venture further afield.
Wokingham by car
Lying close to the M4 motorway, Wokingham is well-connected by road with a direct route to London and other major cities in the south-east. Also, the A321 and A322 offer easy access to Reading, Guildford and other surrounding towns.
Wokingham by bus
Wokingham boasts a diverse bus network provided mainly by Reading Buses and Thames Valley Buses, providing frequent connections within the town and to nearby towns like Bracknell, Reading, Henley-on-Thames and Fleet. Long-distance journeys are also catered for, with connections to destinations like Farnborough and Gatwick Airport.
Wokingham by train
Wokingham Railway Station offers a direct link to London Waterloo, making it a popular choice for commuters and day trippers with journey times typically under an hour. The station also provides regular services to Reading, which acts as a hub for connections to other major cities across the UK.
Additional ways to explore Wokingham
Explore Wokingham’s charming town centre, scenic walks and historical landmarks at your own pace on foot. Wander through the pedestrianised town centre, explore the picturesque Dinton Pastures Country Park or take a stroll along the scenic Wokingham Watercourse. Dedicated cycle paths like the Lower Earley Way and Nine Mile Ride offer safe and enjoyable routes for exploring Wokingham’s surroundings.
If you’re thinking of moving a little further out of Wokingham, a handy Park and Ride service operates from designated car parks on the outskirts of town, offering a stress-free commute with onward bus connections to the town centre.
Transport to London
Getting to London from Wokingham is mostly done by train, given how easy it is by rail and what a nightmare driving and parking in London can be like. As above, there is a direct train to London Waterloo from Wokingham that takes less than an hour.
If you are inclined to drive, it takes around an hour and a half to drive up the M4 into central London.
Transport to Airports
The closest airport is London Heathrow Airport, approximately 25 miles away, making it a car journey of around half an hour. Regular train services and coach connections operate from Wokingham, making it easy to reach the airport. If you’d prefer alternative airports, Southampton Airport and London Gatwick Airport are both around an hour’s car journey from Wokingham.
Schools in Wokingham
Wokingham is home to a vast catalogue of excellent schools, with many holding Ofsted’s “Outstanding” status. These include Emmbrook Infant School, St Paul’s CofE Junior School, The Holt School, Wescott Infant School, St Teresa’s Catholic Academy and Evendons Primary School.
Things to do in Wokingham
With its family orientated feel, there really is something for everyone in Wokingham, including plenty of shops, leisure facilities and parks.
Shopping in Wokingham is fantastic, with many shops dotted around the town centre, beautiful places to eat and refuel, and plenty of well-known high street shops. The town is also currently undergoing a huge regeneration project, meaning locals and visitors will be able to enjoy even more shopping and leisure facilities on their doorstep.
In terms of leisure facilities, Wokingham certainly doesn’t disappoint as there are a huge range of facilities that will keep big and little kids fit and active, including Carnival Pool, which also has state of the art gym facilities.
And, if you love nothing more than getting out and exploring the great outdoors, you won’t be disappointed as Wokingham is home to California Country Park – 100 acres of ancient bogland that provides the perfect setting for scenic walks, sports, picnics, wildlife watching and fishing.
After all of that exercise, make sure you also find the time to relax and unwind by visiting Nirvana Spa where you can enjoy a selection of luxurious treatments.
Shopping in Wokingham
Wokingham has a mix of shopping experiences, catering to both everyday needs and the thrill of finding unique treasures. Wokingham’s vibrant high street is lined with familiar brands, providing a convenient one-stop shop for everyday essentials like clothing, health & beauty products and homeware. Beyond the high street, Wokingham shines with its independent shops. Explore quirky boutiques that sell stylish clothing, bespoke hats or unique gifts, or find one of Wokingham’s specialist shops for quality fabrics or exquisite jewellery.
Major supermarkets are scattered throughout Wokingham so you’re never far from picking up your weekly food shop, and amidst them are independent grocers and butchers, offering specialities and fresh produce. Also, many neighbourhoods in Wokingham have small clusters of newsagents, convenience stores and pharmacies so you can pick up essentials without a trip into the town centre.
Markets are held in Wokingham every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday for a range of fresh food, flowers, clothes, homewares and gifts. And, on the second Sunday of every second month, the Wokingham Market Place transforms into a vibrant Vegan Market, where you’ll find a treasure trove of fresh vegan produce, delicious street food and live entertainment.
Just outside of Wokingham’s town centre lies Holme Grange Craft Village, a unique shopping experience. This charming complex houses independent craft workshops, studios and galleries. Here, you can meet talented artisans, witness traditional crafts being made and discover one-of-a-kind pieces of art, jewellery, clothing, and more.
Is Wokingham a nice place to live?
A Halifax Quality of Life Survey revealed that Wokingham is one of the best places to live in the UK and is perfect for family life. The town is also undergoing extensive renovation work to make the area even better.
If you’re moving to Wokingham to live, settle down and work, Titan Storage is here for you. We have a variety of flexible storage solutions that are helpful and convenient during a house move. Whether you want immediate short-term storage, or long-term storage for those items that don’t have a place in your home at the moment, get in touch to see how we can help!
What is the average age in Wokingham?
According to the 2021 census, the average age in Wokingham is 41, up from 40 ten years ago. This change brings Wokingham in line with the national average.
What is the population size of Wokingham?
Wokingham has 177,500 residents, according to the latest census. It has grown by 15%, or approximately 23k people in the ten years since the previous census.
