When people think of visiting the Cotswolds, they usually gravitate towards bustling spots like Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-Wold, or perhaps Jeremy Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm near Chipping Norton. Yet, tucked away just a few miles from these hotspots is Oddington, a tiny village that’s repeatedly named one of the UK’s poshest communities — despite having few amenities of its own.
Oddington sits three miles from Stow-on-the-Wold and six miles from Diddly Squat Farm and Hawkstone Brewery, both associated with Clarkson. Just a mile away lies the famed Daylesford Organic farm shop, a magnet for celebrities such as Eddie Redmayne, Ellie Goulding, and Princess Beatrice. The village itself comprises Upper Oddington and Lower Oddington, home to an estimated 378 residents in 2024 — down from 412 in 2021.
Surprisingly, Oddington doesn’t have a village shop. Aside from The Fox at Oddington pub, the quaint 12th-century Grade I-listed St Nicholas Church, and a village hall offering a post office service twice weekly for an hour each, it’s a quiet spot with just one street lined with stone houses.
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The Telegraph often dubs Oddington Gloucestershire’s poshest village, a reputation that puzzles some residents. While nearby Stow-on-the-Wold and Daylesford draw crowds, Oddington’s scarcity of amenities makes their “posh” status curious.
Longtime resident Carol Thin, 75, believes the village’s elite image stems mainly from proximity to Daylesford and The Fox pub. “It’s busy because of Daylesford, Soho Farmhouse, and Jeremy Clarkson, but Oddington itself isn’t a through route,” she says. Carol notes the mix of residents—“it isn’t full of vastly posh people”—and says the community is welcoming and happy.
Born in Oddington, 80-year-old Anne Every highlights how the village has changed over time. “When I was growing up, the middle of the road was empty. Now it feels like a racetrack sometimes.” She observes a surge in wealthy newcomers buying and renovating properties as weekend retreats, often attracting celebrities. Still, she loves the peaceful atmosphere and friendly neighbors.
Erika Cook, 30, relocated to Oddington a couple of years ago after living in Stow-on-the-Wold and London. She acknowledges the village’s posh reputation but insists residents are approachable and down-to-earth. “People come here expecting airs and graces, but the really posh blend in wearing Barbour jackets and wellies,” she explains. Erika wishes the “posh” tag would fade, as it drives up property prices—some ex-council houses sell for £600k to £700k.
Currently, properties on the market range from £450,000 for a two-bedroom house to over £2 million for a five-bedroom cottage. However, not all residents embrace the premium pricing or the village’s reputation.
Neil Orton, 60, a newcomer to Upper Oddington, admires the scenery but finds the lack of amenities frustrating. “There’s no shop, no takeaway, and deliveries take ages. The road doesn’t even have a name,” he says. Neil vents about parking issues in nearby towns and longs for more conveniences. Another local echoes his thoughts, pointing out that major shopping centers are at least 45 minutes away.
Yet, despite these drawbacks, many appreciate Oddington’s peacefulness, beauty, and community spirit. The village offers a rare balance of rural charm and connections to bigger towns and London, thanks to Kingham Station nearby.
For visitors passing through on the way to Daylesford, Oddington is worth a stop. Picture-perfect stone houses, the historic St Nicholas Church, and a pint at The Fox await. Oddington proves there’s more to the Cotswolds than the well-trodden tourist paths.