Providing HR Support to Didcot Businesses

For Didcot-based businesses, working with HR experts who truly understand the unique challenges and requirements of your business and industry is the key to success. From contracts and onboarding to tribunals and training, The HR Dept are pleased to offer comprehensive solutions, tailored to your business’ specific needs. 

To discover how The HR Dept can help your Didcot-based business, don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of our expert team.

A Bit About Didcot

Remains of human settlements around what is now Didcot date back thousands of years, with archaeological evidence of a Roman presence and even some Stone Age artefacts, but there is no explicit mention of Didcot in the Domesday Book. For most of its history, it was a rural village of little note. It is believed the name, first recorded in about 1200, came from a local Mercian subking called Dida. Then, the Industrial Revolution brought the railway to Didcot, and it became an important junction, a role that took on even more significance as military transportation passed through during the First and Second World Wars.

Didcot Power Station, which opened in 1970 and was finally demolished in 2020, caused comments and controversy with its distinctive appearance. By 2021, the town had a population of 31,000 and had become known for its science and technology centres, although much of the surrounding area is still based on agriculture. The band Radiohead, originally from nearby Abingdon, recorded many tracks in a shed on the outskirts of Didcot.

Location and Travel

Didcot is currently found in Oxfordshire, but before 1974, it was part of Berkshire. It is only about 15 miles south of Oxford, whilst also being 15 miles northeast of Reading. Much of the town’s history is linked to its railway, with Didcot Railway Station (now Didcot Parkway) opening in 1844. Trains run to Oxford, Reading, Swindon, Bristol, London Paddington, Cardiff and Birmingham New Street, among others. The station has a park and ride. Local buses run to Oxford, Wantage, Abingdon and Milton Park. Didcot is not too far from the A34.

Local Amenities

Reflecting its railway history, the Didcot Railway Centre is a museum and popular destination. A museum dedicated to Williams Grand Prix Engineering team moved from Didcot itself to Grove. Nearby Milton Park, Culham and Harwell all have large centres for science and technology. Whilst the town may not have the same military importance as it once did, it is still home to Vauxhall Barracks. A multi-purpose arts centre opened in 2008, and the town has its own choir and orchestra. A former newspaper printworks was converted into a studio for film and television. 

There are multiple leisure centres, parks, football pitches and other outdoor spaces for sports and community events, including cricket, cycling, running, table tennis and karate. In 2005, the Orchard Centre opened to offer a range of shops, cafés and restaurants, including some big high street names.