Upton

Upton is one of the spring-line villages in the south of the county at the foot of the Berkshire Downs. It is situated on the A417 approximately half way between Goring-on-Thames and Wantage, but most of the village is away from the main road.

Upton is a small village of approximately 170 houses. A serious fire in 1933 destroyed a number of the historic houses and farms in the centre of Upton and consequently many of the existing houses were built in the 20th century.

The village once had its own railway station, opened in 1883 on the Didcot to Newbury line. The line was closed in 1964, and the remaining railway embankment now serves as a cycle track to Didcot.

The small parish church of St. Mary's dates from the eleventh or twelfth centuries, and though a major restoration took place in 1885, the church has not changed much in almost a millennium. There is also a Methodist chapel and a Pub, the George and Dragon.

Upton also has a village hall and children’s playground, both sited within a large recreation ground. On the small village green stands a memorial Chestnut tree.

On the edge of the village is an organic cider orchard where the Upton Cider Company grows, makes and sells its award-winning ciders.