Denchworth lies about 4 miles north of Wantage and can only be approached by country lanes. It lies below the Berkshire Downs. Like other nearby villages, Denchworth would have been in medieval times surrounded by marshland, especially during wet periods. The entry for Denchworth in the Doomsday Book confirms there has been a settlement here for a long time and it predates the Normans.

The original village church was probably a Saxon wooden structure, but its location is unknown. The oldest feature of the present church of St. James' is the C12 (Norman) south doorway, now inside the Victorian porch. There was major building work during the 13th and 15th centuries when the belfry was added and the chancel was rebuilt with new windows in the east and south walls. The belfry houses a peal of four bells but, they can no longer be swung because the structure is too weak.

Denchworth has a Village Hall and a small Village Green with a medieval 'Stone' of unknown origin. It also has a village pump, still in its original site.

The village pub is the Fox Inn.