Shropshire /Herefordshire

[MrsG2017]

Hi All

I was hoping for some recommendations if anyone had a spare moment?

We are looking to return to the UK and are considering Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire region and I would loves some mum opinions of nice market towns that are rural enough for peace but a close drive away from a town for a spot of shopping of a coffee.

I have a two year old so will need to factor in a nice area for schools etc in the future.

Where do you all live and why do you love it?

Thank you everyone it's all a bit scary coming back blind and with no family in the areas.

Thank you

[Greyhound22]

Bridgnorth? I live a short drive away. It really is lovely.

[keiratwiceknightly]

Bewdley is delightful.

[MrsG2017]

Thank you all so much that's really helpful.

[MrsG2017]

Hi ladies

Sorry me again, does anyone know what mitcheldean lydbrook drybrook ruadean are like?

I drove through once and didn't get the best impression but it was a dreary day.

Thanks

[Blinkingblimey]

You get more for your money in those areas you’ve mentioned for a reason I suppose is the most tactful response OP🤣. The Forest of Dean is beautiful and the facilities for cycling etc are brill but the local villages tend (I know it’s a generalisation) to be very(!) local...if you get my drift. Ledbury, Ross (senior school not quite so good), Weobley, Pershore, Ludlow, Tenbury, Malvern are all worth considering...where would you need to be for work etc?

[macshoto]

While the villages can be 'quite local', in my experience there is more of a sense of community than I think I have experienced anywhere else.

We live in a very rural part of this region in a village of only about 200 people - yet everything the village does is well supported, there is a good mix of locals and incomers, and while we don't necessarily have a lot in common with the farming families, we've been impressed with the number of artists, musicians, writers and other creative people who have chosen to make their home in the Marches.

It can however be very rural - and knowing where you can find work is going to be a key determinant of where to live.

[momoftwo76]

Have you looked at Newport in Shropshire, fantastic Schools

[edesposti]

I grew up in Church Stretton, which is a lovely market town in Shropshire with schools, shops, and a train station, and is smack bang in the middle of the beautiful Shropshire Hills - our house was on national trust land and when we went back for Christmas this year there were wild horses on the hills (yes, really!)

As a kid, I absolutely loved it - if you're outdoorsy, there are no end of things to do, and both Shrewsbury and Ludlow are bigger market towns with good amenities within 20-30mins drive (Shrewsbury also has a number of good independent schools, including Shrewsbury school, which is one of the original public schools and now takes girls in all years). The schools in Church Stretton are ok, not amazing, but I went there and then on to sixth form in Shrewsbury and then onto Oxford (I'm now an academic in Cambridge), so they can't be too bad!

As a teenager, however, I would say that there's not a huge amount to do unless you're really into horse riding or other outdoor activities, and there are some drug issues (mostly weed, in my experience, nothing too hardcore).

Overall, it was an amazing place to grown up, albeit a bit of a bubble (it's a very "white" area, so being half-Italian we were considered the "exotic" family). However, it's only just over an hour to Birmingham, so if you wanted more diversity etc you're not that far (we used to go our for evenings at the theatre etc). I still go back all the time and it's a very special place.

I suggest renting an Airbnb for a weekend/week in the areas you like and exploring to get a feel for them - everyone has different taste and it's really such a personal decision, so I would say go with your gut!

[labazsisgoingmad]

i used to live in ledbury born and bred there is a nice town with lots of shops good schools etc i now live in tenbury wells moved to be with my partner who couldnt move due to running a business anyway i love tenbury its a great place shops are a bit meeh but you have leominster ludlow etc close by