On Oare Common are two curvilinear ditched enclosures which are probably of prehistoric date, although it has also been suggested that they may represent a motte and bailey castle.

It has a general store and post office, a church (Holy Trinity) and two public houses, The Fox and The White Horse of Hermitage, and a garden centre.

Holy Trinity church dates from 1839, and was funded by local donations, under the patronage of the Marquess of Downshire who had a residence at Easthampstead Park near Bracknell, 29 miles (47 km) from Hermitage.

The Dowager Queen Adelaide, widow of the late King William IV, gave the communion plate.

[4] Access to the M4, which links London to Bristol and South Wales, is within 5 miles (8 km) and it passes through the edge of the parish.