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Knowle....OK place to live?

42 replies

M1nstrel · 09/05/2017 13:12

We're moving from London to Bristol and have been looking South, e.g. Totterdown, Southville but see that we can get more for our money in Knowle. We've found a house we like but have heard mixed things about the area. It's near The Knowle pub. What's it really like there? We have a two year old son so thinking about primary school, nurseries, making friends (we know no one!), etc. Thanks.

OP posts:

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jennymac31 · 09/05/2017 13:43

I live in Knowle (not far from the pub) and we really like it here as it is a nice friendly area with redcatch Park close by as well as the local library (Knowle library) and local swimming pool (jubilee pool).

There are a number of nurseries in the area and there are primary schools close by (hillcrest primary and Knowle Park School) but the catchment areas are shrinking so it is getting more difficult to get into these schools. There is a good prep school close by as well (Cleve House).

Hope this helps but am happy to answer any other questions you may have.

Have you viewed the house your interested in?

cabotstalkonlytogod · 09/05/2017 15:08

Am wrong end of Bristol, but I thought there were very nice bits and, well, less nice bits of Knowle.

M1nstrel · 09/05/2017 15:19

Thanks both. Yes we've viewed and think we're going to make an offer. The primary school situation is the same where we are now. Bit worrying, I may have to investigate further. But it does seem like a nice friendly neighborhood!

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M1nstrel · 09/05/2017 15:19

Thanks both. Yes we've viewed and think we're going to make an offer. The primary school situation is the same where we are now. Bit worrying, I may have to investigate further. But it does seem like a nice friendly neighborhood!

OP posts:

elisa2502 · 09/05/2017 15:22

Nooooooo avoid its horrid

M1nstrel · 09/05/2017 15:22

Why horrid?

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jennymac31 · 09/05/2017 15:30

OP - it might be worth looking into schools a bit more as schools in south Bristol (well Bristol in general) are over-subscribed. Although your child is 2 years old, you may want to consider the area in respect of secondary schools and look into the options available unless you're not planning or intending to stay in the area for longer than 5 years.

M1nstrel · 09/05/2017 15:41

Thanks Jenny. It looks like only the academy school (west town) covers the area in question. Looks OK, has a good Ofsted report. I don't have to worry too much about secondary schools as we may well be abroad by then. Is it Knowle West that gives the whole area such a bad rep?

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M1nstrel · 09/05/2017 15:41

Thanks Jenny. It looks like only the academy school (west town) covers the area in question. Looks OK, has a good Ofsted report. I don't have to worry too much about secondary schools as we may well be abroad by then. Is it Knowle West that gives the whole area such a bad rep?

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jennymac31 · 09/05/2017 16:05

OP - yes I would say that it's Knowle West and neighbouring parts that give the rest of the area a bad name.

I know a number of people who have sent their kids to West town lane academy and they are happy with the school. The academy is also opening up a nursery in September but cannot remember if they take kids on from age 2 or age 3.

PurpleBlossomTree · 09/05/2017 16:17

I was going to come on and say no personally I wouldn't move there. But I google mapped it and the area your looking at to me appears more Brislington than knowle. I assumed the cut off point was broadwalk shops.

It's really quite a nice area round there op. My friend lives by there and her DD goes to school in Holymead school in Brislington as it's really not that far. Also on the same road as Holymead there is St Anne's primary school with nursery attached.

Just wanted to put those schools out there for you as a couple more options.

M1nstrel · 09/05/2017 16:27

Thanks PBT. On the school catchment site we wouldn't be in the catchment for either of those schools. The house is in a school free area! Is west town academy considered a nice/good school? I'm assuming we'd never get a look in at others if not in the catchment area?

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jennymac31 · 09/05/2017 16:32

OP - if the house your interested in is close to the Knowle pub then it's likely to be in Upper Knowle, which is very close to Brislington. I used to live in Brislington and it is a nice area but would still keep in mind the issue regarding catchment areas for primary schools.

PurpleBlossomTree · 09/05/2017 16:39

Hmm that's strange. My friends child did move mid school year so may got in just due to a place becoming available.

I go past WTL school practically every day. I don't know the school but it looks like a nice little school. I think they have done some work on the playground recently and it looks nice. Very nice posh housing estate just behind the school aswell.

I moved my DD mid school and didn't get as far as considering WTL as a place became available at our chosen school. In BANES, Not she could of moved there as I spoke to admissions at Bristol and the only place they had available at that time was in the school she was leaving.

From a outsiders point of view it looks like a nice school yes. There is one further up that road into stockwood tho that I was told to avoid at all costs and that's Burnbush (now renamed to something else)

M1nstrel · 09/05/2017 16:49

Thanks, all really useful. Let me know if you hear any more on WTL school!

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jennymac31 · 09/05/2017 16:59

Good luck Op.

PurpleBlossomTree · 09/05/2017 17:54

Il ask about OP as we are really not far from that school.

I was just thinking its a nice area aswell even if you don't drive with broadwalk on your doorstep. Close to Avonmeads and by Arnos Vale park and they always run kids activities up there and by the cemetery part.

And the best thing you will have a cracking view over the city for the balloon fiesta

M1nstrel · 10/05/2017 06:37

Thanks PBT, that would be much appreciated!

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crazymum53 · 10/05/2017 13:52

Upper Knowle is a good family friendly area OP.
WTL expanded from a 2 form entry to 3 form entry a few years ago to create more school places in the area so should still be OK. The main advantage is have over other local schools e.g. Hillcrest is that it has its own playing field on the same site and it's good to have a bit of green space. You would be a bit too far away for Hillcrest but in some years Holymead or Knowle park would be possible. My dd went to the latter.
What type of nursery do you mean? If you mean daycare nursery there is the Court House, Busy Bees and Mama Bears on the Wells road. The first 2 are in Knowle and the other is in Totterdown.
If you mean nursery school then the closest state one is St Phillips Marsh. Cleve House has a kindergarten attached to it. There are also pre-schools and you will be very close to Sunshines which is round the corner from the Knowle pub in the church hall on Buller road. For all of these you apply directly to the nursery or preschool.
The Knowle pub has been taken over recently and is now more family friendly. Jubilee is under threat of closure due to council cuts and there is a campaign to save it.

Rudi44 · 10/05/2017 19:05

Knowle is lovely (and not in the least horrid as someone further up who clear has never been there) stated. Knowle West is a council estate a couple of miles away and I would avoid.
Check school catchment by knowle pub as you won't get into Hillcrest (great school) and I am not sure about Knowle Park catchment but you might struggle there. Knowle pub is fantastic and serves amazing food. I prefer the Knowle a little further down the hill towards Totterdown as there is a bit more going on, plus close to Arnos cemetery which is absolutely beautiful.
Re secondary schools, a bit of a nightmare. Oasis Brislington, said to be improving but I wouldn't consider it. Ashton, too far away and out of catchment.

EarlyDino · 13/05/2017 19:40

Upper Knowle yes, but Knowle West no.

2014newme · 15/05/2017 12:51

Hillcrest has improved since its poor ofsted previously and is now regarded as good. However there are no secondary schools that are any good in the area. Things may change, buy given there has never been a decent secondary there it seems unlikely.

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bumtibum · 24/05/2017 21:04

Hi Minstrel, I've lived in Knowle for seven years. It's a fab place to live but you do have to make an effort if you're not 'from around here' as it can be full of Bristolians who are born and bred here. I found when I moved here from London that it was hard to make friends because all the mums seemed to know each other from way back and didn't like my posh RP accent, but things have changed for the better. You have to be prepared to be make the effort, invite people around and keep being friendly. The Knowle pub is INCREDIBLE, you are v.lucky to have it on your doorstep, and the Jubilee Pool close by is a lovely, friendly swimming pool. Redcatch Park is sweet and there are plans to build a community café and garden in there as we speak. Knowle is a bit grubby but its a diamond in the rough and has a lot going for it. You get from it what you put in but be prepared to explore and you'll be surprised by all its little gems....

M1nstrel · 24/05/2017 22:19

We are now looking more in Brislington, so not too far away but yes I am getting the fear about moving and having no friends! Are other parts of Bristol easier if you're from out of town?

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jennymac31 · 25/05/2017 23:39

Hey OP

Whereabouts in Brislington are you now considering? Just that I had previously lived in Brislington before moving to upper Knowle.

Regarding making friends, I personally don't think there are other parts of Bristol are easier if you're from out of town. I'm originally from London (but studied in Bristol and subsequently moved back after moving away after graduation) but never experienced issues with getting to know the locals or having to make an effort as such but it might just be me.

Good luck with the search.

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