Like many other Vale villages the 'ey' in the name 'Childrey' indicates a former island settlement in the marsh. Now Childrey is an attractive springline village nestling at the foot of the Berkshire Downs right on the edge of the Vale of White Horse. Approaching the village on a fine day from Wantage about three miles away east along the B4507, the setting appears perfect with the hills on one side and the Vale on the other. Wonderful!

When you get to the village it doesn't disappoint either. In the centre is an attractive duck pond, complete with ducks and geese, attractive cottages and the village shop and pub, The Hatchet. Near the pond is the former Working Mens Club and Reading Room, now used as a village hall.

The village churches are St. Mary's Church and the Childrey Methodist Church. St. Mary's features some fine memorial brasses to the Lords of Rampayne Manor, copies of which are available for rubbing. A plaque in the porch informs that the brasses were restored in 1987 with the help of the Council for the Care of Churches and the Pilgrim Trust.