Advice re. Chalford

[CatDunkley]

Hi there, my husband works in swindon, we have a 3 year old who is due to start school this year and we are currently renting in Bath. We are trying to buy a house before dd starts school and we are thinking of moving to Chalford but don't know the area very well. We love Bath as there is loads going on for toddlers/pre-schoolers and easy access to London but hubby has to travel to Birmingham once a week for work and this combined with swindon commute from bath is why we are considering Gloucester. We have seen some lovely houses in chalford but I am worried by other comments that the valley can get dark and depressing in winter? I don't want o feel completely isolated...Are there good local activities for toddlers? Any advice appreciated. Thanks :-)

[knightlydia]

Hiya, im moving to chalford too in a few weeks time - I have a 2 year old and a 6 month old. I know there is a playgroup and the local nursery have said there is an 'active toddler and mum' scene but i can let you know more when i get there! Hopefully there are things are going on, we are leaving behind a pretty active scene in north london, we are looking for quiet but hopefully there are some interesting things going on too

[Barbeasty]

There's lots of stuff going on in Chalford/ Chalford Hill, the surrounding villages (Bussage, Eastcombe), and places like Minchinhampton, Nailsworth and Stroud.

I wouldn't say it's depressing in winter but depending how far up the hill you live, you might end up being snowed in.

Commute to Swindon by train is fine (and well used) even if it only runs once an hour (look carefully and the time he'll come home).