According to property portal Rightmove, this is outpacing every other part of Britain with a 45 per cent year-on-year increase – well above the national trend, which is currently four per cent lower than the same period last year.

Brendan Kay, managing director of Parkers Properties, said: “The research backs up what we are seeing on the ground in places like Witney, Carterton, and Eynsham, where demand for two-bedroom properties is huge.”

A key driver of this demand is the growing belief that buying offers better value than renting.

Rightmove figures put the average asking price for a first-time buyer property – defined as homes with up to two bedrooms – at £283,172 in West Oxfordshire, compared with the national average of £228,048.

Mr Kay said the lettings market is also playing a significant role.

He said: “Another report by Rightmove last year looking at the lettings market highlighted that West Oxfordshire has some of the fastest growing rents in the country.”

Mr Kay believes supply issues are adding to the pressure.

He said: “One of the other big factors fuelling the increase in demand from first-time buyers is the lack of new-build homes coming to market.

“During 2025, only 79 new builds were completed in West Oxfordshire compared with more than 3,500 in the last five years and the pipeline going forward is equally worrying, with barely 300 new homes under construction.”

Parkers Properties has branches in Witney and Eynsham.

Carnilove, known for its premium pet food, is launching the ‘Pet Set Go’ agency.

This temporary service aims to assist pet owners in planning seamless summer trips with their pets.

The agency will operate from June 3 to June 4, between 10am and 4pm, at 21 West Street, Chipping Norton.

Visitors can expect expert consultations on navigating new EU pet travel regulations, understanding costs, and discovering pet-friendly accommodations.

The agency also offers destination matching services, identifying holiday spots that align with a pet’s unique personality and needs.

Cara Whitehouse, a pet travel expert, will be on hand to provide guidance.

In addition to travel advice, the agency will distribute free Carnilove pet treats and provide tips on pet nutrition and vitality.

These tips will focus on Carnilove’s meat-first, potato, and grain-free recipes, preparing pets for their holiday adventures.

The pop-up agency plans to offer holiday inspiration ranging from Anglesey’s sweeping dunes to the Cairngorms, catering to a variety of pet preferences.

‘Pet Set Go’ is a first of its kind in the UK and will be open to the public free of charge.

The initiative comes amidst a surge in demand for pet-friendly staycations.

The agency’s organisers encourage pet owners to visit the pop-up to start planning their next shared adventure.

The Lap the Lake open water event, held in Reading on Saturday, May 16, raised £4,368 for Sue Ryder’s palliative care services.

The funds will help support the Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice and the Sue Ryder Palliative Care Hub South Oxfordshire.

Ashni Parmar, regional fundraising team manager at Sue Ryder, said: “It was wonderful to see so many of our supporters at our second Lap the Lake event.

“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who took part and helped raise £4,368.

“This support means we can continue providing expert and compassionate care to people when they need it most.”

Held at the Hi5 Ski School and sponsored by HPS Reading, the event offered a variety of swim options, including 500m, 750m, and 1km distances, while more experienced swimmers took on the 2.5km challenge in Reading Lake.

Jo MacKenzie from Reading, who took part in the event, said: “Lap the Lake was such a great event.

“Everyone was so friendly, welcoming, and encouraging.

“The event itself was well organised and had great facilities.

“I’m part of a group called the Caversham Owls who all joined me today.

“We’ve attended Lap the Lake twice now and will definitely be returning next year.”