Living in Oxted

Oxted is known for its strong community spirit, with numerous local groups, societies, and regular events providing opportunities for residents to connect and get involved. The town’s Master Park acts as a central gathering point, hosting festivals, fairs, and community sports days throughout the year. The Oxted Pram Race and annual Christmas Fair are standout events that attract visitors from surrounding villages.

The area boasts a variety of outdoor activities, from guided walks in the North Downs to cycling via the surrounding countryside. Community centres and church halls provide venues for classes, fitness groups, and hobby clubs. Oxted’s thriving amateur dramatic scene and its popular local cinema contribute to an active cultural calendar. The presence of green spaces and nearby woodlands supports an outdoor, healthy lifestyle for all ages.

Oxted is generally regarded as one of the safer towns in Surrey, with lower crime rates compared to nearby urban centres. The majority of reported incidents in Oxted tend to involve antisocial behaviour or minor theft rather than serious crime. The presence of an active neighbourhood policing team and community support officers helps foster a visible sense of safety.

Local initiatives, such as Neighbourhood Watch and community safety forums, play a role in maintaining the low crime levels. Like many areas on the edge of London, Oxted does experience periodic increases in incidents, particularly near public transport hubs or during peak social times, but these are typically addressed swiftly by local authorities. Many residents describe a general feeling of safety, particularly in residential and village areas surrounding the town centre.

Parking in Oxted is relatively convenient, with several public car parks located close to the town centre, railway station, and leisure facilities. Most residential streets offer on-street parking, although some areas operate permit schemes for residents. Town centre parking is mostly time-limited, with longer-stay options in council and private car parks.

Peak demand can make parking slightly more challenging near the station or at school drop-off times, but congestion is generally manageable outside major commuter periods. Oxted is well served by major roads including the A25, with the M25 motorway less than 4 miles away, granting rapid car access to the Greater London orbital network.

Nearby towns and cities are easily reached by road:

• Caterham – approx. 10 minutes via A25 (5 miles)
• Redhill – approx. 19 minutes via A25 (10 miles)
• East Grinstead – approx. 23 minutes via A25/A22 (12 miles)
• Sevenoaks – approx. 21 minutes via M25 (13 miles)
• Guildford – approx. 40 minutes via M25 (27 miles)

The food, pubs, and nightlife scene in Oxted centres around traditional English pubs, independent restaurants, and local cafés. Popular venues include The Crown Inn and The Old Bell, both offering a classic pub experience with hearty menus and welcoming atmospheres. For those seeking a more contemporary dining experience, Oxted Bar and Kitchen serves modern British cuisine alongside a curated drinks menu.

Cafés such as Caffè Nero and Café Papillon provide relaxed spaces to meet friends or enjoy a quiet coffee. Along Station Road East and in the High Street, a range of takeaways, Italian and Indian restaurants, and bakeries cater to different tastes. While Oxted does not have a large nightlife scene, the Everyman Cinema offers evening entertainment with a stylish twist, and local wine bars and occasional live music events add to the area’s social appeal. The social scene here is more relaxed and community-focused than urban nightlife hotspots, making it well-suited for those seeking a calm and friendly environment.

School Quality – Oxted is well regarded for its choice of high-performing state and independent schools, giving families ample educational options from nursery through sixth form.

Parks and Green Space – Families enjoy access to plenty of green spaces such as Master Park, Hurst Green, and the North Downs, all ideal for play, picnics, and outdoor activities.

Childcare – A range of nurseries and preschool facilities operate in town, offering childcare solutions for working parents.

Safety – The area has a reputation for being safe, supported by active community engagement and vigilant local policing.

Family Activities – Oxted’s cinema, sports clubs, libraries, and annual family-oriented events make it easy to keep children entertained and active year-round.

Pet-friendly living is one of Oxted’s strong points, benefiting from direct access to countryside walks and open spaces. The North Downs Way, Master Park, and surrounding woodlands create perfect environments for dog walking and outdoor exploration with pets.

The town supports a number of veterinary clinics and pet supply shops, and several cafés and pubs are known to be dog-friendly. Local housing stock typically accommodates pets, and the surrounding area welcomes responsible pet ownership. The overall attitude in Oxted is accommodating, making it an attractive place to live for pet owners.

Transport in Oxted is a significant asset, especially for commuters and those requiring regular connections to London and the South East. The town benefits from two train stations: Oxted and Hurst Green. Oxted station is served by Southern and Thameslink services, providing regular direct trains to London Victoria and London Bridge, with journey times as short as 33 minutes. Hurst Green connects to East Grinstead and London as well.

Bus services connect Oxted to neighbouring towns such as Caterham, Redhill, and East Grinstead, supporting local and regional journeys. The town is conveniently situated close to the M25 motorway, offering easy road access to both Greater London and the wider motorway network.

Gatwick Airport is just over 15 miles away and accessible by direct train or via the M25 and M23, serving both domestic and international flights. For cyclists and walkers, Oxted's position on the North Downs Way provides excellent non-motorised routes through the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Example commute times by train:

• London Victoria – approx. 33–40 minutes from Oxted station
• London Bridge – approx. 35 minutes from Oxted station
• East Croydon – approx. 20 minutes from Oxted station
• Gatwick Airport – approx. 30 minutes (via Redhill with a change)

Oxted offers a range of highly-regarded educational institutions, making it a sought-after location for families considering schools in Oxted. The area features both state-funded and independent schools catering to children from primary through sixth form.

Primary Schools

Limpsfield CofE Infant School is a popular primary option, noted for its friendly atmosphere and emphasis on early years learning (Ofsted: Outstanding, October 2012). St Mary’s CofE Primary School offers a supportive environment and strong academic results (Ofsted: Good, November 2019). Downs Way School provides a broad curriculum and benefits from an active parent community (Ofsted: Good, September 2018).

Secondary Schools

Oxted School is one of Surrey’s largest coeducational schools, known for its diverse extracurricular activities, sixth form, and recent investments in facilities (Ofsted: Good, June 2022). Students from Oxted also attend nearby schools such as Warlingham School and Reigate School.

Independent Schools & Colleges

The area is near notable independent institutions, including Hazelwood School, a prep school located just south of Oxted, offering education from nursery to age 13. Nearby Caterham School and Woldingham School provide highly regarded independent secondary and sixth form options, with strong academic performance and an extensive range of extracurricular opportunities.

Universities

While there are no universities within Oxted itself, the town’s excellent rail connections place it within easy reach of the University of Surrey in Guildford, Royal Holloway, University of London in Egham, and several universities in Central London.