Wiltshire?

[Gigglr]

We moved from London to Oxfordshire a year ago and have explored a bit of Wiltshire. It seems a lot cheaper in terms of house prices. Friends of ours have said it's very conservative. Any opinions?

[bluejelly]

I'd agree it is pretty Conservative. How important is that to you?

[Ginfordinner]

Politically or in outlook?

[Gigglr]

I think it is fairly important to us. Any more liberal pockets of Wiltshire to be found?

[fussychica]

Frome, just over the border in Somerset, always comes out well in Best Places to live awards. It has a bit of an arty vibe and has a farmer's market etc.
I think you'll find most of the South West, apart from the cities, far less diverse than many other areas and politically it's generally quite Conservative. Bath is Lib Dem but isn't Wiltshire though it's our nearest city.
I live in West Wilts and can confirm property is very well priced here. 4 bed detached in a good area for around £325 - 400k. HTH.

[SueGeneris]

Interesting. I live in Wiltshire, in a Conservative seat, but am not Conservative myself and nor are my friends, so far as I glean from conversation anyway! Ditto my street, on the whole, I would say. I know a diverse range of people here, different nationalities and occupations from medical, education, tech, and the arts.
I am not able to compare bigger cities though - have lived here a good 10 years. I am not sure how being a Conservative seat affects us more widely day to day, other than being unable to swing it away from that direction at the ballot box.
I think probably you will find liberal minded friends wherever you choose to live.
It is a pretty area with lovely light and the north part links well to London etc. I can walk from my house and catch a train to London/Bath/Bristol in 10 mins, am 5 mins drive from the M4 motorway.
I’m in a small town rather than village though - I don’t know if villages are more Conservative.
Look at Marlborough, Devizes, Box, Corsham.

[Porridgeoat]

Look on the Stroud valleys

[Porridgeoat]

Glos

[Gigglr]

Good independent schools will be at the top of the list. A garden of at least .5acre hopefully more. The edge of a town where we could walk to a few shops would fabulous but I reckon I'm asking for the moon on a stick.

[sbplanet]

There's plenty of Liberal/liberal views in Wiltshire, just not in big enough quantities in one area - see no ghettos! ;) As for independent schools there's a good one in Marlborough :D and one I sometimes drive past near Market Lavington.
Whatever your political leanings as an ex-Northerner I've found Wiltshire folk to be mostly friendly, but then I live in a little village not say Chippenham or Trowbridge. :)

[ewallington]

State secondary schools in the South West?
We are emigrating from South Africa to the UK in August and have rented a house in Lacock in West Wiltshire. We have been offered a place at Oldfield School in Bath for both girls who are going into year 7 and year 8. We were offered this when we had no address in the Uk. Now we have an address in the Uk I can apply again and I’m wondering if Oldfield is the right school. Should I be trying to get into a school in Wiltshire that is closer right even another school in Bath. I don’t mind travelling to get to the school, I just want to make sure they go to the very best. I was possibly thinking St. John’s Marlborough or maybe Ralph Allen, St Laurence or Hardenhuish. Please can anyone help?

[SueGeneris]

Hardenhuish is very good - have a year 8 there and one starting in Sept. there is a bus from Lacock but it’s a straightforward drive too. I’d recommend it and it is favourably rated among parents. They were absolutely excellent through lockdown.

[SueGeneris]

There will be other children from Lacock travelling into Hardenhuish and easy for your children to meet friends they make in the local area. It’s about 15 mins drive.
This area is more multicultural than you might think too, if that’s relevant, there will be other children who have lived overseas and/or are non British.
I think the other schools you listed are good too, just thinking from your children’s perspective. Feel free to pm me for any more info.

[ewallington]

Thanks Sue, that’s great info. I’m going to apply for the yea r 7 and year 8 this week and hope we can get in. We are in the catchment so maybe we will be lucky. I’ll PM you if I need anything else and I’ll let you know if we get in as our kids will be in the same year.

[SueGeneris]

Fingers crossed - keep me posted! Lacock is lovely. There are some good videos on the year 6-7 transition section of the Hardenhuish website aimed at the kids introducing different subject areas.