Market Harborough

[DreamingofthePeaks]

I was wondering whether anyone can tell me what it is like to live there please? We are considering a move up there from the South. We moved from north west Leicestershire a few years ago so I know that side but nothing at all about MH.

DH would be commuting to London most days during the week. We have 2 dc age 6 and 9 so secondary school is also a consideration now. I would like to move somewhere with lots of nice places to take dc to during weekends and school holidays. Where we live now is dire in that regard so this is quite important. Not so much into 'playbarns' so much but nice safe countryside, biking routes, walking etc Would like access to good supermarket and decent shopping (which I know MH provides in the form of Leicester so that's fine.) Like National Trust type places with lots of space for dc to explore and let off steam. Good swimming pool would be great too.

Have £600k to spend on 4/5 bedroom house but that's assuming it's a 'move in' house and not a project. Also hoping for friendly locals. Don't want to live in a dump but don't want to live in a 'snooty' area either iyswim. Where we live now is very pretty but other mums are very cliquey.

I'd really appreciate feedback - positive and negative welcome. Thank you!

[smellyboot]

MH is lovely - we have family there. Nice area, lots of outdoorstuff, decent leisure centre, good schools. Great shops, tons of supermarkets. No idea if schools are over subscribed but a friend moved back there recently with no problems re schools.

[BantyCustards]

Yep, I live up near Melton but MH is nice. I wouldn't be upset living there and being in the Midlands it's got great links to just about everywhere.

[JT05]

A great family place, we live in a village just outside Harbs! Lots of shopping variety, supermarkets Waitrose, Sainsbugs, Lidl and Aldi. Joules, East, Fatface etc.independent shops and lots of lovely places to eat.
There is a leisure centre and the pool is currently being refurbished. Load of country walks, kids sports etc. The schools have good reputations , but you'd have to check that out. Welland Park is rated outstanding.
There is a wide variety of housing and your budget would certainly get you what you want.
Good luck with the move.

[JaniceBattersby]

I live v near MH.

It's a lovely townmbut I do find it can be a bit Boden / Joules. There is a bit of snobbery but it's big enough for there to be loads of normos around too. Shopping is good for a market town, great eating and drinking out and schools are all fine. Lots of supermarket choice.

Houses are are pretty and there are also lots of modern housing estates. 600k will get you a really nice place.

The commute to London is ok but I personally wouldn't want to do it every single day because you don't always get a seat.

It does have leisure facilities but IMO this whole area (MH / SE Leics / Rutland) is a bit short on things for families to do. Not many museums, really decent play areas, or country parks etc. I think it's because people here are pretty affluent so have cash to pay to go skiing, centerparcs or on regular weekends away etc rather than spending weekends at the playground with the kids.

There is loads of open countryside but mostly privately owned although obviously there are footpaths and bridelways across it. I guess your children would be well capable of making use of it whereas mine are much too young for bracing country walk! We struggle a bit to get out into the countryside as my yougnest is only one but there is Rutland Water, Pitsford Reservoir and Foxton Locks not too far away.

And if you're desperate there's always Mini Mischiefs!

[DreamingofthePeaks]

Thank you very much for your replies. All in all it sounds positive and we will definitely be going to have an explore soon. My only reservation is that there doesn't seem to be a much for families to do.

Could anyone give my some examples of where you might go during the weekends/summer holidays please? I'd like to go to look at some of these places when we visit as this is high priority for me.

Where we lived before, we had Calke Park, Staunton Harold, Melbourne, Staunton Resevoir, bike riding etc - they are they type of things I'm looking for.

Thank you!

[JT05]

There is a lovely canal basin, Foxton locks, with a museum, cafe, pub and walks along the canal. 13 miles away ( straight road A6) is Leicester with Museums, for wet days!
Along the same road is Brocks Hill in Oadby, a wildlife nature reserve with a great activities centre, running thing in the school holidays. Loads of walks, a couple of good Farm shops and Open Farms. Kelmarsh Hall and Lamport Hall often have events.
My DGC are never at a loss for something to do, once you are in the school system things will pop up!

[JT05]

I forgot, Wickstead park with rides etc is only about 20 mins away in Kettering. If you like that sort of thing!

[JT05]

Just to add! As you go into MH from Leicester on the A6 there is a mini canal basin, lovely restaurant/ cafe it is the start of a great canal walk, with branches off through fields etc.
I'll stop now

[DreamingofthePeaks]

Thanks so much - that's really helpful!It sounds as though there are things around. I'll put some of those things on our list to look at.

[redfairy]

Welland Park is great for children. Fab play equipment and loads of sand.
Nearby Rothwell village is very pretty and has a mop fair and great pubs. Rockingham village has a beautiful castle and holds lots of events throughout the year.

[user1471549018]

We live in north Northants and there is loads to do for families, but the schools are better in MH so a bit of an ongoing saga for me! Just thought I'd add a few places near us that are 30-40 minutes from MH and worth checking out for your age DC- Stanwick lakes, Pitsford reservoir, Irchester country park, Salcey forest, wicksteed park, west lodge farm, old bramptons railway. Great for bikes (and a bit of bmx type muddy hills biking at irchester), sailing, wind surfing, walking, old trains, adventure play areas, play beach, theme park rides, tree top walks, zip wires etc etc. It will be so difficult for us to ever move the DC won't let us!

[user1471549018]

Also the hub (best soft play suitable for babies to teens) and boost trampoline park at riverside when it's too cold or raining

[DreamingofthePeaks]

Thanks so much for all those suggestions! That's quite a list! Must look at those and add some to list to look at.

As a point of interest, we moved away from a place that had lots of things to do with dc but the schools were just sort of average. Where we are now, there is hardly anything to do with dc, particularly of the 'rummaging' and letting off steam in countryside variety. We just don't spend the time as a family that we did because it's all such a hassle to get to. I now feel the ability to get out and do those things easily is more important than having 'outstanding' schools. I am not saying this is necessarily right but our lives feel so empty compared to how they used to and it's made me realise how important it is to build a bank of happy memories to fall back on when times are a bit fraught.

Anyway... went off on a bit of a tangent there! Really appreciate all the information. Thank you!

[user1471549018]

Thanks for that- yes it's also how I feel, and luckily we fond a good primary school. But I'm just not so sure when it comes to secondary schools. Great to hear others perspectives on it too

[smellyboot]

We visit often and have done tons of different outdoor stuff. As the town is small, we also end up walking every where which I love. No need to take the car out at all. We have done maize mazes, cycle rides, farm visits, long walks, canal walks near Foxton etc KIds LOVE Welland Park

[DreamingofthePeaks]

That's good to hear Smellyboot. I feel I've got a lot of lost times to make up for so having lots to do with dc is so important. Getting out for country walks easily is high up on list - the countryside around Foxton Locks certainly looks pretty (and not too flat?!)

Another thing I was wondering about was dance lessons for dc (ballet, tap, modern) and Beavers/Cubs? Really looking to be able to do these locally without long journeys.

And other question is - is the supermarket good? Moved from place with big Tesco Extra to somewhere with an old little one that is poorly stocked and not 24hr. Just a little thing but I'm trying to move somewhere where life is more simple again and all these things help.

Thank you!

[smellyboot]

there is a decent sainsburys and waitrose? I assume loads of kids stuff within a short walk as its so family orientated

[DreamingofthePeaks]

Thanks Smellyboot And thanks for all other replies. Feels a bit surreal even thinking about moving as we've only been here less than three years but I just know it isn't right, however much I want it to be. Looking forward to a weekend of exploring soon!

[Leatherboundanddown]

MH is lovely. I am in Leicester but three friends of mine live in MH and I like to visit. Check out Gallones ice cream parlour when you go.

Visiting wise, The Manor at Tur Langton (indie shops and studios + cafe) is worth a potter and Wistow is good for walking (garden centre, indie shops, tearooms, huge maze)

I am sure you will find a few Brownies/Beavers/Cubs etc round there too. I know there is at least one in Kibworth.

If I had more money I would definitely move to MH.

[DreamingofthePeaks]

Thanks Leather. That is exactly the sort of place I'm looking for to go out to with dc. Somewhere for a potter/country walk/cake. That looks really nice actually. Are there any other places like this? Not looking for places where I have to pay £12 to just get in! We are National Trust members but can't see much close to MH. I'm glad you have good things to say about MH as it's the only place I've seen that seems to have that feel about it. And no one has said anything damning yet! Thanks for the reply.

[Leatherboundanddown]

Hmmm I am not totally clued up on the walking places round there as I don't have a car so more of a city girl. I will ask my friends for you.

[Leatherboundanddown]

I forgot to say aswell that you are not very far away from Oadby really (South Leicester) and they have a big Waitrose and ASDA. Then in Wigston there is Aldi and a huge Tesco Extra. So you would be ok supermarket wise. MH has a fresh food market in the centre too.

[DreamingofthePeaks]

Oh thank you - that would be great! Thanks for supermarket info too. I'll check that out.

[JT05]

Just to add some more, again!
In the summer the area around MH really embraces the open garden scheme. A lot of the villages have week ends when the gardens are open and several of the country mansions open their gardens and grounds.

[DreamingofthePeaks]

That sounds nice JT05. Thanks!