Didcot
Built-up area in South Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire, England
| Coordinates: | 51.611, -1.249 |
|---|---|
| OS grid ref: | SU 52 90 |
| Population: | 29,341 |
| Dialling code: | 01235 (Abingdon) |
Didcot is a former railway town in South Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire, England, sitting roughly between Oxford and Reading. It grew up in the 19th century around a key Great Western Railway junction and remains an important transport hub centred on Didcot Parkway, which helps make the town a popular commuter base for Oxford, Reading and London. The skyline was long marked by the nearby power station chimneys, now gone, and the town’s railway heritage is celebrated at the volunteer‑run Didcot Railway Centre.
Beyond transport, Didcot sits close to major science and energy sites such as Harwell and Culham, which influence the local economy and workforce. The town has seen steady housing and retail development in recent decades, and retains a lively community life with parks, local markets and cultural events that reflect its mix of commuters, long‑time residents and science-sector professionals.
Postcode districts covering Didcot
Most populated places nearby
- Reading 16.1 miles
- Swindon 23.3 miles
- Oxford 9.9 miles
- High Wycombe 21.5 miles
- Basingstoke 24.9 miles
- Aylesbury 23.6 miles
- Maidenhead 23.3 miles
- Wokingham 22.6 miles
- Abingdon-on-Thames 4.6 miles
- Bicester 20.5 miles
- Newbury 14.5 miles
- Witney 16.2 miles
Neighbouring places
- Didcot West Ward 0.4 miles
- Didcot South Ward 0.5 miles
- Didcot North East Ward 0.6 miles
- East Hagbourne Built-up area 1.3 miles
- Appleford-on-Thames Parish 1.6 miles
- West Hagbourne Built-up area 1.9 miles
- Harwell Built-up area 2 miles
- Sutton Courtenay Parish 2 miles
- Sutton Courtenay and Milton Built-up area 2 miles
- Blewbury & Harwell Ward 2.1 miles
- Upton Built-up area 2.3 miles
- Milton Parish 2.4 miles
Example postcodes in Didcot
OX11 9JU, OX11 6EL, OX11 8BH, OX11 7TE, OX11 6JJ, OX11 9GT, OX11 7JZ, OX11 7RF, OX11 6JW … See all
Transport links
- London Heathrow Airport 35.4 miles
- Luton Airport 41.9 miles
- Didcot Parkway Railway Station 0.3 miles
- Appleford Railway Station 2.1 miles
- Oxford Bus Station 9.9 miles
Hotels near Didcot Ad
- Plum Pudding 2.5 miles
- Ashbrook Lets 4 3 miles
- Courtyard by Marriott Oxford South 4 2.2 miles
- White Hart Hotel 3 4.3 miles
- Old Abbey House 4.3 miles
- Hilton Garden Inn Abingdon Oxford 4 4.6 miles
- Ferrymans Cottage 6.2 miles
- Voco Oxford Thames 4 7 miles
- White Hart Hotel 4.3 miles
- Milton Hill 4 2.7 miles
Schools in Didcot
- All Saints C of E Primary School Primary
- Aureus School Secondary
- Didcot Girls' School Secondary
- Didcot Primary Academy Primary
- Ladygrove Park Primary School Primary
- Northbourne C of E Primary School Primary
- St Birinus School Secondary
- Stephen Freeman Primary School Primary
- UTC Oxfordshire Secondary
- Willowcroft Community School Primary
Local points of interest
- Didcot Railway Centre Museum 0.3 miles
- Kassam Stadium Stadium 7.5 miles
- Christ Church College College 9.6 miles
- Oxford Botanical Garden Gardens 9.7 miles
- Magdalen College College 9.8 miles
- Bodleian Library, University of Oxford Library 9.9 miles
- Rewley Abbey Historic site 10 miles
- Ashmolean Museum Museum 10 miles
- Saint Bernard's College, Oxford Historic site 10.1 miles
- University of Oxford University 10.1 miles
- Pitt Rivers Museum Museum 10.2 miles
- Swyncombe House Estate 10.7 miles