Woodbridge has spoilt me - need help with new location!

[ohgodmumyouresoembarrassing]

Horribly specific post - don't know if anyone can help. Spent most of my life living in and around Woodbridge. Love it - it's the perfect market town - built on a triangle, with a hill, a river, a great small cinema, rail station, sports centre, library, great shops and it's really pretty. Not too big, not too small. Arty, but down to earth. Lovely properties, not snobby and quite country...So, now I need to move within 40 minutes drive (give or take) of Bishop's Stortford. Does anyone know both areas well enough to tell me what's the closest feel of a small town to Woodbridge, but within that area? Big ask. Live in hope...

[Gravenwithdiamonds]

I know Woodbridge but not Bishop's Stortford. Is it near Stansted? In which case are Wivenhoe and/or Manningtree within 40 mins drive? They're both on rivers - Wivenhoe is a lot smaller than Woodbride but is very arty because of the university and it's pretty.

Manningtree is lovely - pretty estuary, high street, lots of it is listed and it has a library, leisure centre, high school, good pibs and restaurants.

Both are much smaller than Woodbridge though.

[Crikeyblimey]

Oooh I have nothing useful to add except...

My sil and bil and dns live in Woodbridge.

[ohgodmumyouresoembarrassing]

Thanks for suggestions. I've always love Manningtree, sadly too far - about an hour and a quarter from BS. Need to lose half an hour for daily commute - petrol costs are horrendous - no train connection!

[guineapiglet]

Hi - places I know reasonably near BS are Saffron Walden ( lovely) and Ware - they are probably worth a look round, but obviously may not be as pretty or near the sea as Woodbridge. Colchester is a lovely city as well. It is probably worth a drive up to Royston ( Excellent train links to London) or check out places along the line you want to commute on. Most of that area in Essex/Herts is very pretty, but busy. Ashwell is a beautiful village - there are lots of compromises to be made if you want to be near the sea as well!

[ohgodmumyouresoembarrassing]

Thank you so much guineapiglet - I know the suffolk side of things well, but don't know places like Ware at all. Guess I need to drive round a lot more...there really are no shortcuts for figuring out where you want to live I guess! The sea is definitely not an option at the moment sadly...but a good river would do! I'll look at Ashwell - not heard of that one before. All suggestions very welcomed...