OX11
Didcot, Harwell, Blewbury, Chilton, Aston Tirrold, and Upton. The heart of Science Vale — home to Didcot Parkway (Oxford's fastest London rail link), Harwell Campus, and the UK's most significant R&D cluster outside London.
What OX11 covers
OX11 is the postcode district for Didcot town and the surrounding Science Vale villages — Harwell village, Blewbury, Chilton, Aston Tirrold, and Upton. It covers the eastern portion of the Vale of White Horse district and borders South Oxfordshire to the east.
The postcode is dominated by two distinct zones: Didcot town— a fast-growing Garden Town with significant new-build development — and the quieter Harwell / Chiltern fringe villages to the south and east, which give access to the Downs and the National Cycle Route 4.
Key areas within OX11
Didcot town
Garden Town with major GWR mainline station. Large new-build areas (Great Western Park, Nobel Park) plus established residential streets. Best value city-rail commuter town in Oxfordshire.
Harwell village
Historic village just north of Harwell Campus. Cotswold-stone character, small community, close proximity to the Science Vale R&D cluster.
Blewbury
Attractive downland village with a strong community. Popular with Harwell Campus staff who want village living. 5 min drive to Harwell Campus gate.
Chilton
Small village adjacent to Harwell Campus on the A34/A4185 junction. Very convenient for campus workers; quiet residential character.
Aston Tirrold / Upton
Quiet downland villages near the Berkshire/Oxfordshire border. Premium rural housing; popular with professional households commuting to Science Vale or Reading.
Property prices (Didcot / OX11)
| Property type | Avg price |
|---|---|
| Flat / apartment | £184,556 |
| Terraced | £296,884 |
| Semi-detached | £377,940 |
| Detached | £461,923 |
| Overall average | £349,927 |
Source: Enterprise Oxfordshire 2025. Harwell and downland villages typically price above Didcot town averages.
Rental prices
| Bedrooms | Avg rent PCM |
|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | £1,065 |
| 2 bedrooms | £1,232 |
| 3 bedrooms | £1,668 |
| 4 bedrooms | £2,150 |
Source: Enterprise Oxfordshire 2025.
Transport
Didcot Parkway is the standout transport asset — GWR's fastest Oxfordshire station to London Paddington (44 min). The station also serves Reading (12 min) and Oxford (25 min).
| Destination | Time | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| London Paddington | 44 min | GWR from Didcot Parkway |
| Reading | 12 min | GWR |
| Oxford | 25 min | GWR |
| Harwell Campus | 10 min | Car (A4130); Science Transit Shuttle |
| Milton Park | 15 min | Car (A4130) |
Employment — Science Vale anchor
OX11 sits at the centre of Science Vale UK, one of the country's most significant R&D economic zones. Key employers accessible from OX11:
- Harwell Campus — 7,500+ people, 250+ organisations; space, health, nuclear, and quantum clusters. Adjacent to OX11.
- Milton Park — 260+ companies, 9,000+ employees; biotech, life sciences, engineering. 15 min from Didcot.
- Culham Campus — UKAEA, fusion research, AI Growth Zone. 20 min by car.
- Didcot Science and Business Park — professional services, tech, and logistics within the town.
- BMW Mini Oxford — Cowley, 30 min by car or rail.
Who OX11 suits
London commuters
44 min to Paddington — the best value mainline commuter town in Oxfordshire.
Harwell / Science Vale workers
Directly adjacent to Harwell Campus; close to Milton Park and Culham.
First-time buyers
OX11 flats and terraces are among the most affordable in the Science Vale catchment.
New-build buyers
Great Western Park (3,300 homes) and Nobel Park offer the biggest new-build selection in south Oxfordshire.
Village seekers (Harwell / Blewbury / Chilton)
Downland villages with excellent R&D campus proximity — rare combination.