Downs Way Reading, West Berkshire
9 addresses across 2 postcodes (RG31), about 70 m long, classed as a local road. USRN 26900618.
6 recorded sales since 1995; in 2022 the median was £455,000 across 1 sale. 2 homes have an energy certificate (D: 1, E: 1). No address on its postcodes is in an area at high or medium risk of flooding from rivers, the sea or surface water. Most homes around it are in council tax band D; Band D in West Berkshire costs £2,505 a year in 2026-27. Gigabit broadband is available to 100% of premises. The nearest railway station is Tilehurst, about 1.4 km away in a straight line. The nearest park or garden, Arthur Newbery Park, is about 810 m away. Background air pollution in 2024 was 7.5 µg/m³ of nitrogen dioxide and 6.8 of PM2.5, within UK legal limits. Its addresses are 80 to 83 m above sea level. 1 of its 9 addresses is modelled at 55 dB or more from road traffic. The nearest GP surgery is Tilehurst Village Surgery, about 1.1 km away, with 2 practices within 1.6 km. About 300 people lived in the census areas around it in 2021; 91% of households owned their home and 24% of adults held a degree or other higher qualification. 19 crimes were recorded within 250 m between September 2025 and August 2026, most often anti-social behaviour.
Sales on this street
| Year | Sales | Median price | Lowest | Highest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | £455,000 | £455,000 | £455,000 |
| 2009 | 1 | £217,000 | £217,000 | £217,000 |
| 2007 | 1 | £249,950 | £249,950 | £249,950 |
| 2004 | 1 | £185,000 | £185,000 | £185,000 |
| 2000 | 1 | £128,500 | £128,500 | £128,500 |
| 1998 | 1 | £96,000 | £96,000 | £96,000 |
| Date | Address | Type | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 Aug 2022 | 4 RG31 6SL | Semi-detached | £455,000 | |
| 3 Sep 2009 | 4 RG31 6SL | Semi-detached | £217,000 | |
| 9 Mar 2007 | 4 RG31 6SL | Semi-detached | £249,950 | |
| 24 Dec 2004 | 5 RG31 6SL | Semi-detached | £185,000 | |
| 11 Feb 2000 | 4 RG31 6SL | Semi-detached | £128,500 | |
| 10 Aug 1998 | 4 RG31 6SL | Semi-detached | £96,000 |
Energy performance certificates
2 homes with a current certificate; median floor area 105 m². Most common: House, semi-detached (2). Built: 1950-1966 (1); 1967-1975 (1). Tenure at assessment: owner-occupied (2).
Council tax
What each band costs in West Berkshire in 2026-27: Band D £2,505 a year on average, including the police, fire and any county and parish charges.
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £1,670 | £1,949 | £2,227 | £2,505 | £3,062 | £3,619 | £4,176 | £5,011 |
Homes by band in the neighbourhood around this street: most are in band D (70% of about 640 homes).
Planning and heritage
- Conservation area: no postcode centre in this street's postcodes is in one.
- Listed buildings on or by this street: none.
- Article 4 direction (removing permitted development rights): none recorded, though not every council has published theirs.
- Tree preservation orders: none recorded, though not every council has published theirs.
- Green belt: no.
Roadworks
No street works under way, planned or finished in the last three months on this street, in permits up to 30 September 2026.
Flood risk
No address in this street's postcodes is in an area at high, medium or low risk of flooding from rivers, the sea or surface water. The rest are in areas at very low risk: less than a 0.1% (1 in 1,000) chance a year.
Rivers and the sea alone: no home is in an area at risk.
High: 3.3% (1 in 30) or more chance of flooding a year. Medium: 1% to 3.3%. Low: 0.1% to 1%. Very low: under 0.1%. The rivers and sea figures allow for flood defences. Counts cover whole postcodes, which can include other streets.
Flood zone for planning: no postcode centre on this street is in flood zone 2 or 3.
Height above sea level
The street's 9 addresses are between 80 m and 83 m above sea level (81 m on average).
Broadband
| Postcode | Superfast (30 Mbit/s+) | Ultrafast (300 Mbit/s+) | Gigabit | Below 10 Mbit/s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RG31 6SL | 100% | 100% | 100% | 0% |
| RG31 6SR | 100% | 100% | 100% | 0% |
Getting around
| Nearest | Distance | |
|---|---|---|
| Railway stations | Tilehurst 385,000 journeys in 2024–25 | 1.4 km |
| Pangbourne 374,000 journeys in 2024–25 | 3.4 km | |
| Reading West 482,000 journeys in 2024–25 | 4.4 km | |
| Bus stops | 7 stops within 400 m, 35 within 800 m; nearest Clanfield Crescent Purley on Thames | 160 m |
| Bus or coach station | Purley Social Club Purley on Thames | 1.3 km |
| Car parks | National Car Parks Limited | 1.3 km |
| EV charging points | 2 within 1.6 km; nearest ubitricity | 1.2 km |
| Airport with scheduled flights | London Heathrow Airport LHR | 40.9 km |
Local services
| Nearest | Distance | |
|---|---|---|
| GP surgeries | 2 practices within 1.6 km; nearest Tilehurst Village Surgery | 1.1 km |
| Pharmacies | 3 pharmacies within 1.6 km; nearest Overdown Pharmacy | 310 m |
| NHS dentists | 4 practices within 1.6 km; nearest Chapel Hill (Dental Surgery) | 1.3 km |
| Hospital | Prospect Park Hospital | 3.3 km |
| Police station | Thames Valley Police | 2.7 km |
| Cash machines | 2 machines within 800 m; nearest Midcounties Co-Op Reading, Tilehurst Cashzone | 310 m |
Parks and green space
| Nearest | Distance | |
|---|---|---|
| Park or garden | Arthur Newbery Park 10 ha | 810 m |
| Play area | 2 within 800 m; nearest Unnamed 470 m² | 180 m |
| Playing field | 1 within 800 m; nearest Cotswold Recreation Ground 3.8 ha | 30 m |
| Allotments | Oak Tree Road Allotments 2.2 ha | 860 m |
Air quality
| Pollutant | Here | UK limit | WHO guideline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) | 7.5 | 40 | 10 |
| Fine particles (PM2.5) | 6.8 | 20 | 5 |
| Particles (PM10) | 10.4 | 40 | 15 |
All three are within the UK legal limits; PM2.5 is above the WHO guideline, as in most towns and cities.
Road and rail noise
| Level | Road traffic | Railways |
|---|---|---|
| 55 to 59 | 1 | 0 |
| Under 55 | 8 | 9 |
1 of the street's 9 addresses is modelled at 55 dB or more from road traffic, above the WHO guidelines.
Nearest schools
| School | Phase | Ages | Distance | Inspection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Downsway Primary School | Primary | 4–11 | 210 m | No published inspection |
| Denefield School | Secondary | 11–18 | 520 m | Good (Nov 2023, overall grade under the previous framework) |
| Westwood Farm Junior School | Primary | 7–11 | 560 m | Report card (Jul 2026): Curriculum and teaching: Expected standard; Achievement: Expected standard; Attendance and behaviour: Expected standard; Personal development and wellbeing: Expected standard; Inclusion: Expected standard; Leadership and governance: Expected standard; Safeguarding standards: Met |
| Westwood Farm Infant School | Primary | 3–7 | 560 m | Good (Nov 2023, overall grade under the previous framework) |
| Long Lane Primary School | Primary | 4–11 | 930 m | No published inspection |
| Purley CofE Primary School Church of England | Primary | 3–11 | 1.4 km | Report card (Apr 2026): Curriculum and teaching: Expected standard; Achievement: Expected standard; Attendance and behaviour: Expected standard; Personal development and wellbeing: Strong standard; Inclusion: Expected standard; Leadership and governance: Expected standard; Early years: Expected standard; Safeguarding standards: Met |
| Birch Copse Primary School | Primary | 4–11 | 1.4 km | Outstanding (Jul 2024, overall grade under the previous framework) |
| Park Lane Primary School | Primary | 5–11 | 1.4 km | Good (Oct 2023, overall grade under the previous framework) |
| Blagrave Nursery School | Nursery | 2–4 | 1.5 km | Good (Nov 2023, overall grade under the previous framework) |
| Little Heath School | Secondary | 11–18 | 1.7 km | No published inspection |
| Norcot Early Years Centre | Nursery | 2–5 | 1.8 km | No published inspection |
| Meadow Park Academy | Primary | 4–11 | 1.8 km | Good (Nov 2023, overall grade under the previous framework) |
Food hygiene ratings nearby
| Business | Type | Distance | Rating | Rated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westwood Farm Pre-School RG31 6SL | Hospitals/Childcare/Caring Premises | 20 m | 5 Very good | 2 Dec 2024 |
| Dolce Ltd at Downsway Primary School RG31 6FE | School/college/university | 160 m | 5 Very good | 10 Jun 2026 |
| Mighty Allstars at Downsway Primary School RG31 6FE | Hospitals/Childcare/Caring Premises | 160 m | 5 Very good | 10 Mar 2026 |
| The Coop RG31 6PR | Retailers - supermarkets/hypermarkets | 310 m | 5 Very good | 11 Feb 2016 |
| Asian Spice RG31 6PR | Takeaway/sandwich shop | 320 m | 5 Very good | 14 May 2025 |
| High Rise Fish Bar RG31 6PR | Takeaway/sandwich shop | 320 m | 5 Very good | 30 Apr 2025 |
| Spoons Coffee Shop RG31 6PR | Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 330 m | 5 Very good | 28 Oct 2025 |
| Tesco RG31 6FA | Retailers - supermarkets/hypermarkets | 430 m | 5 Very good | 26 Feb 2013 |
| Harrison Catering Services Limited at Denefield School RG31 6XY | School/college/university | 440 m | 5 Very good | 18 Dec 2024 |
| Welly Boot Lodge Day Nursery Limited at Denefield School RG31 6XY | Hospitals/Childcare/Caring Premises | 440 m | 5 Very good | 10 Feb 2026 |
Crime within 250 m
| Category | Crimes |
|---|---|
| Anti-social behaviour | 6 |
| Violence and sexual offences | 6 |
| Other theft | 2 |
| Other crime | 2 |
| Vehicle crime | 2 |
| Public order | 1 |
Most of these are attached to: On or near Old Farm Crescent (4); On or near Sports/Recreation Area (4); On or near Bowfell Close (3); On or near Fairford Road (3); On or near Hawthornes (2).
People and work
Who lives here
| Around this street | England | |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46 | 40 |
| Children under 15 | 11% | 17% |
| Aged 65 and over | 21% | 18% |
Homes
| Around this street | England | |
|---|---|---|
| Owned (outright or with a mortgage) | 91% | 61% |
| Owned outright | 52% | 33% |
| Shared ownership | 0% | 1% |
| Social rented | 0% | 17% |
| Private rented | 9% | 21% |
Work and commuting
| Around this street | England | |
|---|---|---|
| Adults (16 and over) in work | 64% | 57% |
| Unemployment (of those working or looking for work) | 5% | 6% |
| Retired (of adults) | 24% | 22% |
| Long-term sick or disabled (of adults) | 2% | 4% |
| Work mainly from home (of those in work) | 36% | 32% |
| Travel to work by car or van | 49% | 48% |
| By train, Underground, metro or tram | 2% | 4% |
| By any public transport, including bus | 6% | 8% |
| On foot or by bicycle | 7% | 10% |
| Work within 10 km of home (of those who travel to work) | 74% | 65% |
| Work 30 km or more away | 6% | 8% |
Education and languages
| Around this street | England | |
|---|---|---|
| Degree or other higher qualification, Level 4+ (of adults) | 24% | 34% |
| No qualifications | 11% | 18% |
| Apprenticeship as highest qualification | 5% | 5% |
| Main language English (aged 3 and over) | 99% | 91% |
| Cannot speak English well or at all | under 1% | 2% |
Deprivation
The neighbourhood around this street is in decile 10 of 10 on the English Indices of Deprivation 2025, where 1 is the most deprived tenth of England's 33,755 neighbourhoods and 10 the least.
What has changed
Nothing new since the change feed started on 30 October 2026. New sales and energy certificates, and hygiene ratings, school inspections and flood figures nearby, will be listed here as the sources update.
Postcodes on this street
Nearby streets
Bowfell Close · Staddlestone Close · Clanfield Crescent · Fairford Road · Cotswold Way · Old Farm Crescent · Hawthornes · Laytom Rise · Lucey Close · Overdown Road · Wandhope Way · Kirkfell Close
All the streets in RG31 and across West Berkshire.
What this page cannot tell you
- Whether a particular house is at risk of flooding, subsiding or anything else: the flood map is a model of areas and there is no property-level data here.
- What a home is worth now: sales are historic prices for the homes that happened to sell.
- How safe the street is: crime points are moved to anonymised locations and many crimes are never reported.
- Whether you would get a place at a school: distances are straight lines, not catchments.
- Who lives on the street now: census figures describe the small areas around it in March 2021, during a lockdown.
- How long a journey takes or how often anything runs: transport distances are straight lines to the nearest stops.
- Whether a GP practice is taking new patients, or a dentist new NHS patients.
- How loud a home is inside, or noise from aircraft, industry or neighbours: noise figures are models of road and rail traffic outside, in England only.
How each figure on this page is matched to the street and worked out: methodology.