Located on the eastern bank of the River Thames, this unique Berkshire village sits about half way between Windsor and Staines-upon-Thames, 18 miles from central London. The neighbourhood’s former gravel pits have been transformed over the years into a rather picturesque landscape of lakes and greenery, which occupies the majority of the area. The residential parts of the neighbourhood sit predominantly in the southern Hythe End locality, with mainly affordable modern builds, many of which line the idyllic river bank, and further north there are a number of older Victorian and Edwardian houses. There are few local amenities, though residents and visitors do enjoy the area’s sailing and diving clubs, as well as the fishing spots and local favourite, The Perseverance pub. Wraysbury station runs semi-regular services into Waterloo, which has made the area popular with commuters and families who make the most of the large properties and clean, quiet rural atmosphere.

There is plenty of evidence that suggests Wraysbury has been populated since the Neolithic times, with hundreds of flint artefacts discovered by the local archaeological society over the years. However, Wraysbury is best known for being the site traditionally suggested for where King John sealed the Magna Carta in 1215, specifically what is now called Magna Carta Island, one of the water-meadows that once formed part of Runnymede. The island was later the meeting-place of Henry III and Louis VIII of France. The parish church of St Andrew is believed to date from the reign of King John, existing as an intermediate between Norman and Early English Gothic styles. Agricultural and mill work were the principal employers for the local villagers up until the introduction of the railway in 1848, which opened up employment opportunities and allowed for travel to and from the village. Since then the village has slowly grown into a popular, semi-rural retreat from the inner city.

Wraysbury is home to one of the 50 oldest trees in the United Kingdom, the Ankerwycke Yew, which supposedly dates from the Iron Age, more than 2000 years ago! Rumour has it that Anne Boleyn once sat underneath the tree while staying at the local estate. One of the area’s flooded quarries was also used as a filming location for the 1985 James Bond film, A View to a Kill.

Unfortunately, the area has a tendency to feel slightly isolated from the inner city, and those who commute find travel increasingly expensive. The area is also subject to frequent flooding, a consequence of its waterside location. The most notable recent floods were in January 2003, and January and February 2014.

The area’s historic importance and rural atmosphere means that it is rarely subject to any significant developments. The local council has, however, set about a neighbourhood plan to minimise flood risks, bring derelict buildings back into use, protect biodiversity and small businesses, as well as extending safe cycle routes. They hope to fulfil the plan by 2032. Very near to the area, Berkeley Group, a large and well-known property developer, is already developing a large residential complex, by the name of ‘Eden Grove’, overlooking the Staines Reservoirs. It is expected to be fully completed in 2026, though homes will be ready to move into in 2023. The development will deliver a stylish collection of 1, 2 & 3 bedroom apartments, which will all be serviced by a 24-hour concierge, a gym, a cinema room & a co-working space. Interest in the project, especially considering it’s low prices compared to more central parts of London, has proven to be quite high considering that half of the flats are already sold.

Thames Water has also been carrying out improvement and new infrastructure works for the Staines Reservoirs. In 2020, they carried out works on the dam and its associated infrastructure to extend its durability and longevity, claiming that these developments will extend the reservoirs usability well into the next century.