It’s most often noted for its proximity to larger towns and also being within commuting distance from London – but Wokingham itself has plenty to offer to visitors as well as even more important, for residents. That’s perhaps the reason why the population continues to rise over the last decade or so and goes a long way to explain the many recognitions and titles it’s been awarded in recent years.
It seems that happiness exists in abundance in Wokingham. The town has received plenty of recognition over the past few years and has been a frequent appearance on “best places to live” lists. The town was named the best place to live in 2012. came out as the top choice in the Family Friendly Hotspots Report, that highlights the top places to live in England and Wales to raise kids. This is not a huge surprise given the range of education options on offer.
It’s also been named”the healthiest area in the UK’ according to Public Health England, and one of the most favourable for general standard of living in a study conducted by Halifax. While it’s not on the top of these tables, it can typically be in or around within the top 5.
Let’s take a look, then, at exactly what makes Wokingham such a great place to live.
The perfect spot
Like we said Wokingham’s location at the center of England isn’t all which makes it the ideal location to live in and work, but it’s definitely a major draw for many home-buyers.
Just 40 miles away from the city of London and 10 miles from Reading It has become a refuge for commuters who want to stay away from the bustle of big cities and exorbitant cost of housing. The list doesn’t end at Reading and London too – residents also can find Basingstoke, Maidenhead, Farnborough and Guildford close by which makes the process of finding a suitable job a much simpler.
The advantages of Wokingham’s location aren’t only about practicality. Despite being so close to many affluent urban zones, the town is surrounded by nature. Not only are there spacious wooded areas and lush green fields, but residents also have natural reserves and golf courses to explore at their own leisure.
Transport
A beautiful setting is enough to attract anyone to a specific town or city, but the majority of things are not within easy walking distance. If this weren’t the case, Wokingham probably wouldn’t be the characterful and peaceful place it is. This is why the town’s transportation infrastructure is vital with a convenient bus system and convenient road and rail links that allow residents to travel around the town’s facilities with no hassle or hassle.
First, drivers can quickly gain access to the M4 motorway by taking a quick trip along the A329 which connects South Wales right through to London – taking in towns and cities like Cardiff, Swansea, Bristol, Swindon and Reading as it passes. The M3 can be easily accessed via the southbound direction on the same dual carriageway, and offers easy connections to Hampshire and, again, London.
Wokingham is also well-served with its own train station. From there, it’s feasible to reach all of the major cities and towns nearby in addition to some of the less well-known and smaller villages like Crowthorne. Furthermore, a consistent direct service ensures that residents who are on holiday can reach Gatwick Airport in little more than an hour.
It is possible to walk from one end of Wokingham to the other in just 45 minutes. Buses make the journey much easier. First network, for instance. First line, for instance, covers a number of stops in the area as well as taking passengers to other towns as well.
There’s no time to be bored
Being busy isn’t a problem in Wokingham and the town has plenty to offer in the way of recreational activities, particularly considering its tiny size.
For a start, there are a lot of parks within the vicinity, including Barkham Road Recreation Ground, Langborough Recreation Ground, Elms Field and Waverley Park. Add to this a number of sports fields and leisure centers, and it’s simple to see why sporting activities are so abundant. More than 20 different teams are based at Pinewood Leisure Centre alone, for instance. Similar to many cities and towns across the UK, football is particularly well-known, with Wokingham & Emmbrook F.C representing in the regional lower leagues.
There’s plenty of fun to have away from sports as well. In August, people gather from all over Berkshire and the country to attend an event called the Wokingham Music, Food & Drink Festival, for example where local musicians and food producers gather to exhibit their creations. The medium of film is also given its time to shine one week before it, as an outdoor cinema is constructed within the city.
The best part about Wokingham is the selection of vibrant villages that surround the town. They offer a slice of rural living while still being within the city’s affluence. Finchampstead is one of these villages located around three miles south of Wokingham, and has a great offering of pubs that are country in nature.
Wokingham Council runs some exceptional primary schools, as well as the amazing California Country Park – which includes nature walks, a paddling pool and a fun kids’ adventure playground – Finchampstead is a great place to families.
Moving forward
A lot of Wokingham has been transformed over the last few years, and Wokingham isn’t standing in a stalemate. Thanks to an investment of 100 million pounds in a regeneration plan arranged by Wokingham’s council (under the name Wokingham Enterprise Limited), the future appears bright too. It’s evident that as the population increases steadily, the local government continues to investigate ways to ensure that the standard of living for residents of Wokingham remains as good as it gets.
Projects to expand are, consequently in the process of being completed; residents can anticipate to see the great facilities and amenities around them get better over the next few years. As the development progresses the life of residents will not just improve but the attractiveness of homes in Wokingham will begin to rise and it’s an excellent short and long-term decision.
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