Play Hatch on the map

Location in OxfordshirePlay Hatch sits where the marker shows within the county.

40,810
Population
15,838
Households
9 / 10
Deprivation decile
Among least deprived
12
Schools nearby
£74,708
Avg. household income
1,610
Businesses
924
People per km²
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About Play Hatch

Play Hatch is a small village located in Oxfordshire, England, within the RG4 postcode area. It lies just a few miles from the town of Reading, making it easily accessible for those wishing to explore the surrounding countryside. The village features a mix of residential properties and local amenities, providing a quiet retreat from the busier urban areas nearby.

The River Thames runs close to Play Hatch, offering opportunities for riverside walks and outdoor activities. The village is surrounded by fields and woodlands, making it a pleasant area for nature enthusiasts. Local pubs and eateries cater to residents and visitors alike, adding to the community feel of the village. Play Hatch serves as a convenient base for exploring the wider Oxfordshire region, with its blend of rural charm and accessibility.

School Ratings in Play Hatch

Play Hatch is served by 141 schools. Caversham Nursery School and Caversham Preparatory School are each rated Outstanding by Ofsted. A further 9 schools hold a Good rating.

House Prices in Play Hatch

Property prices average £549K across the area, and detached homes are the most common property type, typically selling for £769K.

Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour in Play Hatch

Local crime rates sit higher than national averages. Anti-social behaviour accounts for the highest share in Play Hatch, with 60 incidents logged in April 2026.

Deprivation and Employment in Play Hatch

Play Hatch falls within the least deprived areas nationally, based on the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation. The area benefits from strong employment, with few residents involuntarily out of work. Income levels across the area tend to be higher than the national average.

Healthcare in Play Hatch

There are 29 GP surgeries within three miles of Play Hatch, the nearest being Emmer Green Surgery (1.9 miles away).

Local Data for Play Hatch

Dig deeper into the area around Play Hatch with our free postcode tools.

Food Hygiene Ratings Hygiene scores for cafes, takeaways and shops Nearest GP Surgery Find the GP surgeries closest to a postcode Compare Areas Put two areas head to head House Prices Recent sale prices and trends

Property Prices 5,156 sales

Average Price £549K
£2K , £39M
Detached £769K 1,631
Semi £522K 1,416
Terraced £391K 1,167
Flat £271K 775

Schools & Education 12 nearby View all schools

77 Primary
17 Secondary
47 Other
Outstanding 3
Good 9

Ofsted ratings for schools in the RG4 postcode area.

St Martin's Catholic Primary School Primary Good 0.9 miles Reading Blue Coat School Not applicable 0.9 miles Caversham Park Primary School Primary 1 miles Micklands Primary School Primary 1.1 miles Sonning Church of England Primary School Primary 1.3 miles The Hill Primary School Primary Good 1.5 miles Caversham Children's Centre 1.6 miles Caversham Nursery School Nursery Outstanding 1.6 miles Shiplake Church of England School Primary Good 1.6 miles New Bridge Nursery School Nursery 1.8 miles Emmer Green Primary School Primary 1.8 miles Caversham Preparatory School Not applicable Outstanding 1.8 miles

Household Income in Play Hatch ONS 2023

The average total household income in Play Hatch is approximately £74,708 a year before tax, 35% above the national average of £55,302. After tax and benefits, the average disposable (net) household income is around £52,825. These are modelled estimates from the Office for National Statistics for the financial year ending 2023.

Play Hatch £74,708
England & Wales avg. £55,302

Net (after tax) household income averages £52,825.

Businesses in Play Hatch ONS 2025

There are approximately 1,610 active businesses based in Play Hatch, around 39 for every 1,000 residents. The local economy is dominated by small firms: about 94% are micro-businesses employing fewer than 10 people, while 9 are larger employers with 50 or more staff. Figures are from the Office for National Statistics UK Business Counts.

1,610 Total businesses
39 Per 1,000 residents
Micro, 0-9 94%
Small, 10-49 6%
Medium, 50-249 1%
Large, 250+ 0%

Deprivation and Employment in Play Hatch IMD 2025

The 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation ranks Play Hatch among the least deprived parts of England. Residents generally enjoy good access to employment and higher than average household incomes. Education and health outcomes in the area also compare favourably with the rest of the country.

Overall Deprivation
9/10
Income
8/10
Employment
9/10
Education
8/10
Health
9/10
Housing
5/10
Living Environment
7/10
Children 0-15 20%
Working age 61%
Older 65+ 19%
8,111 Children (0-15) 20%
24,739 Working Age 61%
7,968 Older (65+) 20%
Above Average Child Poverty (IDACI) 15.3% of children in income-deprived families
Average Older Person Poverty (IDAOPI) 12.7% of over-60s in income-deprived households
Data from English Indices of Deprivation 2025 · Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0

Crime in Play Hatch 398 crimes · April 2026

High Crime Area

Reported crime in Play Hatch is above the national average when measured per capita. Violence & sexual offences dominates the figures, a trend mirrored in many urban centres. Local policing teams work actively in the area, and community initiatives continue to address key concerns.

Violence & Sexual Offences 140
Anti-Social Behaviour 60
Shoplifting 56
Other Theft 30
Public Order 30
Criminal Damage & Arson 17
Vehicle Crime 15
Drugs 13
Bicycle Theft 11
Burglary 8
Other Crime 7
Robbery 5
Weapons 4
Theft from Person 2
Local Policing
Thames Valley Henley Visit force website →
Data from data.police.uk · Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0
Crime figures depend on reporting by individual police forces and may not reflect the full picture in all areas.

Nearest Train Stations 6 stations

Wargrave Train Station 2.6 miles
Shiplake Train Station 2.8 miles
Twyford Train Station 2.9 miles
Earley Train Station 2.9 miles
Reading West Train Station 3.2 miles
Winnersh Triangle Train Station 3.5 miles

Location

Nearby Towns & Villages 12 found

Littlestead Green 0.6 miles Sonning Eye 0.6 miles Dunsden Green 0.9 miles Sonning 0.9 miles Emmer Green 1.2 miles Binfield Heath 1.2 miles Shiplake Row 1.4 miles Lower Caversham 1.8 miles New Cross 1.8 miles Shiplake 1.8 miles Charvil 1.9 miles Borough Marsh 2 miles

Local Government

District Reading
County Oxfordshire
Ward Caversham
Constituency Reading East
Parish Reading, unparished area
Region South East

Home Ownership in Play Hatch

Of the 16,386 households in and around Play Hatch, 76% are owned, 9% are socially rented and 16% are privately rented. Home ownership here is higher than the England and Wales average of 63%.

Owned 76% Social rented 9% Private rented 16%

Tenure from the 2021 Census (ONS), for the postcode districts covering Play Hatch.

Frequently Asked Questions about Play Hatch

What is the population of Play Hatch?
Play Hatch has a population of approximately 40,810 residents, based on the latest census figures for the surrounding postcode area.
What is the average house price in Play Hatch?
The average property in and around Play Hatch sold for about £549,118, based on HM Land Registry Price Paid records. That is around 57% above the England and Wales average of £349,091.
Is Play Hatch a deprived area?
Play Hatch sits among the least deprived areas in England, with an Index of Multiple Deprivation decile of 9 out of 10, where 1 is the most deprived and 10 the least deprived.
What postcodes cover Play Hatch?
Play Hatch is covered by the RG4 postcode district.
How many schools are there in Play Hatch?
There are 12 schools within easy reach of Play Hatch, spanning primary, secondary and other phases.
Where is the nearest train station to Play Hatch?
The nearest railway station to Play Hatch is Wargrave Train Station, about 2.6 miles away.

Streets in RG4 30 shown View all streets

A4074 2 A4155 1 Abbotsmead Place 2 Abbottsleigh Gardens 1 Aberaman 1 Abingdon Drive 4 Albany Gardens 1 Albert Road 5 Aldeburgh Close 1 Aldenham Close 1 Alder Road 1 All Hallows Road 1 Alston Walk 1 Amersham Road 3 Ammanford 1 Anglefield Road 1 Archway Road 2 Ashcroft Close 1 Ashford Avenue 1 Atterbury Gardens 1 Auburn Court 1 Autumn Close 1 Badgers Rise 1 Balliol Road 1 Balmore Drive 2 Balmore Park 4 Banbury Gardens 2 Barclose Avenue 1 Bardolph's Close 2 Barnard Close 1

Postcodes in RG4 50 shown View all postcodes

RG4 5AA RG4 5AB RG4 5AD RG4 5AE RG4 5AF RG4 5AH RG4 5AJ RG4 5AL RG4 5AN RG4 5AP RG4 5AR RG4 5AS RG4 5AT RG4 5AU RG4 5AW RG4 5AX RG4 5AY RG4 5AZ RG4 5BA RG4 5BB RG4 5BE RG4 5BF RG4 5BG RG4 5BH RG4 5BJ RG4 5BL RG4 5BN RG4 5BP RG4 5BQ RG4 5BS RG4 5BT RG4 5BU RG4 5BW RG4 5BX RG4 5BY RG4 5BZ RG4 5DA RG4 5DB RG4 5DD RG4 5DE RG4 5DG RG4 5DL RG4 5DN RG4 5DP RG4 5DQ RG4 5DR RG4 5DS RG4 5DT RG4 5DU RG4 5DZ