Many families, particularly those with young children, prefer to be in a more rural location but still within striking distance of the city.

Between £3,500 and £4,500 per month will secure a good-sized home in a picturesque but well-connected part of the county.

A typical example is a period house in the village of Bainton, near Bicester, available to rent, unfurnished, for £3,650 per month through agents John D Wood.

Set over three floors, Baytree House includes five bedrooms, three bathrooms, a dining room, sitting room and 25ft-long kitchen/breakfast room with limestone flooring.

Jacqueline Smith, of John D Wood, said: “The house is at the end of a lane and is surrounded by fields. The owners moved there from London two years ago and have been gradually updating it.

“There were stone stables next door to the house and they have linked them to the house and installed a seamless, state-of-the-art glass walkway which is extremely attractive. This new area of the house includes an unusually large kitchen, a playroom/study and a utility room.

“Bainton is a tiny hamlet but ten minutes from Bicester where it is possible to travel by rail to Marylebone in just 50 minutes. It is also well connected in that it is within easy reach of major roads such as the M40 and A34.

“The house is available to let because the owner, who is a doctor, is transferring to a hospital in New York.”

Another rural property that offers an alternative to urban living is Manor Barn, a six-bedroom house in Nether Westcote, near Burford, which has views across the Windrush Valley. Available furnished, or unfurnished, for £4,600 per month through letting agents Martin & Co, the sitting room has ceiling beams, an open fireplace and French doors leading to the garden. There is also a separate dining room with exposed beams and a kitchen with an oil-fired Aga range cooker and quarry-tiled floor.

Upstairs, all six bedrooms are doubles and there are three bathrooms, one of which is ensuite,¶ plus a separate wc.

Andrew Ramsay, from the Witney office of Martin & Co, said: “This is a lovely character property which has absolutely wonderful views over the Windrush Valley.”

For more information, or to arrange a viewing, contact John D Wood on 01865 311522 or visit johndwood.co.uk, or Martin & Co on 01993 708638 or visit martinco.com