Travelling to Tormead school

[palacemumsims]

We are moving from south London to the Guildford area or surrounding village's around Guildford as my daughter will be going to Tormead school next September. Needing advise on the best routs to travel to the school so her journey is not too ridiculously long.
finding it hard to pin point were to start looking!
Is it best to base myself in Guildford (although finding it pretty expensive) ?

[JasonRules]

Looking to buy or looking to rent? A personal question I know, however buying in Guildford itself is expensive and not always the best solution. Guildford is surrounded by villages, most are beautiful surrey villages, with smaller communities and older houses, but with close city links to Guildford and beyond. I wouldn't live in Guildford, not with all of Surrey right on your doorstep. You'll find that girls come from all over. However if you are thinking village you need to check for bus/train of you want DD you travel in alone, when the time comes. Most villages near Guildford have either train/bus or both, so it's pretty easy. We live in Normandy, so not as "surrey hills' as we would like, but the train is easy and DD gets into Guildford easily, with mates on time.

[palacemumsims]

Thanks,
We are looking to buy, Iv been looking at trains and school bus but most areas only go into Guildford main station and then I presume children have to catch a bus or train up to London road st.
I do want a village feel or at least a few shops on my doorstep.
Wondering about; any decent areas around Woking as its a bit cheaper
Knaphill. Horsell, ash, send, wondering if there nice areas?
Or if Farnham is just too far?

[Fifthtimelucky]

There are always masses of girls at Tormead and GHS who change at Guildford for London Road.

One of my daughters had 3 friends who came in from Farnham.

[palacemumsims]

Oh that’s good news, I’m feeling a little more comfortable with the train idea.
Went to look at a house in cobham which again has both school bus and train.
I

[Bin85]

Godalming would work .

I don't recommend Ash.

[palacemumsims]

I had a little drive around today, And yes, Ash is not quite right for me, I need to be near shops or at least pub and somewhere to get basics without getting in the car.
Liked godalming as a town and has both train and school bus, also shalford seamed sweet and not far from Guildford.
Had a look at a house in cobham and liked that area to.
Any one know about the areas just north of Guildford like send?

[MandalaYogaTapestry]

I live in Guildford and have a daughter in Tormead. Send is nice, so are Horsley and Clandon. I wouldn't recommend Godalming, you will struggle reaching Tormead via the very busy town centre. I would stick to north of A3.

[Fifthtimelucky]

If your daughter will be travelling by train, Godalming would be absolutely fine. Lots of girls travel to Guildford on the line up from Portsmouth.

[Talipesmum]

Horsell is lovely. Very much a village feel with great local shops and small businesses. It is very close to Woking, so really handy for the train and commuters, but because it’s separated from Woking by the canal and a main road, it feels entirely separate. Probably it would be easier to get to Guildford and back by train, so Horsell would likely be much better for you than eg knaphill.

[palacemumsims]

Thank you all good ideas and suggestions. I’m wondering as parents from Tormead if the children who live local ( Guildford) who make there own way on a public bus or walk miss out on the fun of a school bus journey from outside Guildford I never had a school bus so can’t imagine if it’s lots of fun type thing or just a pain to get up earlier and make sure you don’t miss it type of problem?

[palacemumsims]

Oh and remember the travelling by train, I’m really hoping not to be driving my daughter to school every day so there must be public transport or school bus options.

[NotDonna]

The train from Cobham direction into London Road is full of school kids from RGS, GHS & Tormead. They seem to have fun.
I don’t think the Tormead school buses run later though. So you’d have to drive in to pick her up from after school clubs. This is where a train option may be better for you, depending if she’s friends to walk to the station with on darker evenings. There’s a fair few after school clubs especially for the sporty.

[Broccoliflorets]

Send is nice but it's 2 miles from Woking train station which it think is the nearest.

I live in West Byfleet and commute to Guildford by train. There's a few girls on my train in the morning who attend Tormead. I assume they change at Guildford and catch then catch the train to London Road as that would be quicker than the bus.

[starlilly88]

East of Guildford would be best probably as straight into London Road and there is also a school bus covering Horsley areas, not sure about traffic though. West Byfleet or Pyrford also good as there is a school bus and the train station. Horsell also nice and a short walk to Woking station. You're spoilt for choice really!

[BigWoollyJumpers]

As pp's have said, lots of GHS/Tormead/RGS come in from all areas, Godalming, Farnham, Haslemere, Woking, Worplesdon, Clandons, Horsleys. As well as a good smattering of local walkers.

If you are thinking of buying with coaches, trains in mind, also think about how close the house is to the coach stops and train stations. I know it seems obvious, but if you are travelling as far to the nearest stop, as it would take you to Guildford, then the benefit is lost! Much better, easier to be within walkable distance of those choices.

[Tselliotsunderpants]

Lots travel in on the train line so look at Claygate, Cobham, Effingham, Horsley, Clandon....you get more for your money in places like Effingham, Clandon and Horsley. Cobham is very expensive - much more expensive than Guildford. Or you could look the other side of the train line and change at Guildford for London road.

[suitcaseofdreams]

Clandon station would be better than Woking if you live in Send as trains from Clandon stop at London Rd but you’d have to drive her to Clandon as too far to walk from Send and buses are not frequent. Lots of girls from Clandon take the train to Tormead. Clandon has 2 pubs but nothing else though so no shops on your doorstep....

[palacemumsims]

I’m finding this a totally mind boggling task. I think I’m going to have to draw on a map we’re the school bus goes and picks up points. Train times and drive times. ( all I want is to live near a few nice shops, cafe and a pub!) this school run malarkey is getting in my way 😄

[Broccoliflorets]

Just to make things even more annoying for you, the current train times for South western trains aren't the same as they were pre-covid. A temporary time table was in place, I'm not sure if it Is still temporary but I use to be able to catch a direct train from West byfleet to Guildford, now I have to change at Woking.

[palacemumsims]

Hi everyone, I’m hoping to bother you again if anyone is still on this thread.
After two months of house searching we are still no further a head. Apart from ruling out a few areas and preferring the east train line route into London road st. We haven’t found a house yet.
However, at first choice I ruled out bookham as there was no school bus and the train isn’t so frequent. Any thoughts on bookham area for getting to school?

Can any one help with what time the girls need to actually be at school so I can work out the train times and if they work from Bookham.
Iv contacted the school directly on a few occasions about other questions and there not great at getting back so didn’t want to bother them with this.

[Bin85]

Godalming?

[palacemumsims]

Godalming is a little far south for my husband I’m afraid. Iv had a few viewings for houses in bookham that’s why I was wondering about how difficult or not on the bus or train it actually really is.

[redpandaalert]

Train times keep changing so just look at journey times and usually the trains are at least every 30mins. Very long walk from Guildford station girls will probably change trains to get off at London road instead of walking from Guildford station.

Start times at all the schools messed up at the moment due to Covid, not clear if they will go back to normal 8.20/8.25

Bookham would be fine travel wise but probably not that many girls coming from there as there is a good state school.