Moving west of London

[beeg79]

Hello everyone,

I'd be really grateful for some advice. We are interested in moving West of London with our two LOs who are 2 and 4. Somewhere within a 2-hour drive of London - so probably between roughly Maidenhead and Marlborough.

I know that's a massive approximate search area, and I'd love some help narrowing it down. My husband and I are very happy in south London but are desperate for more space and a rural life for the children. Because we are happy where we are for now, we are being very romantic and desperately looking for the 'perfect' village.

We'd like:

• A village west of London
  
• Within 2 hour drive of London
  
• Train station not essential
  
• Lovely village - I always think of a Miss Marple type place - quintessentially pretty and English
  
• Preschool/nursery
  
• Primary school
  
• Shop
  
• Pub
  

Does this exist?? We have found a village of our dreams (Stoke Gabriel in Devon), but are just wondering if that is simply too far and we need to stay a bit closer to London.

Any help very gratefully received.

Bee

[HamAndPlaques]

I can think of a couple in Bucks which might fit the bill - but what's your budget?

[staverton]

I would go to Oxfordshire.

[beeg79]

We'd be renting to start with, so probably about £1500 per month and we'd want at least 2 bedrooms and a garden. I was wondering about Great Missenden etc?

Anywhere specific in Oxfordshire that you'd recommend staverton?

Bee

[HamAndPlaques]

You wouldn't get very much for your money in parts of bucks as you pay a premium for the commuter services from Amersham and High Wycombe. That said, Great Missenden is worth a look, as is Little Missenden, and Great and Little Kingshill. Penn Street is a ludicrously beautiful village with a cricket green and a wood but I don't know about the nursery/pre school provision (it has a primary). Holmer Green and Hazlemere are less pretty, much bigger villages but you would get a bit more for your money as there's more variety of housing stock.

Do check the HS2 route, however!

[staverton]

Somewhere near a train line to London eg charlbury Morton in marsh or near Banbury line
Or just north of oxford as soon there will be a station near water eaton and there are some lovely villages near there and it's still close to town
Or around hungerford goring

[Applefallingfromthetree2]

Kintbury in Berkshire is very popular, you often see it mentioned in the property press. Direct line to London, good facilities.

As someone who has lived in Devon I would imagine it is a lot like Stoke Gabriel.

Could try googling it

[preggersbycheggers]

Goring on Thames or around streatley might work for you.

[littlesupersparks]

There are some lovely villages near to Bath and also in Wiltshire.

I'm thinking of some over near Lavington - lovely area.

[MothershipG]

Don't do it!

We live in West London, currently in

[MothershipG]

Sorry on my phone...

Currently in Suffolk on our hols. Great for a holiday and I used to think it would be lovely to live here but DC are 12 & 14 and I'm realising how hard it would be, very little public transport and some of the prettiest villages don't even have pavements.

Mind you I was greatly amused by just how nervous of cows my city kids are I know cows aren't to be messed with but DS especially seemed to think they were attack cows!

[beeg79]

Thanks everyone for your really helpful replies. And Mothership - I know what you mean! Part of me is so happy where I am that I wonder if I'm mad to move, but I can't help thinking a more rural life would benefit all of us.

Will look into all your suggestions.

Bee