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Original poster

Cheshire but down south?

115 replies

Cheshirequestions · 10/02/2026 12:36

Hi all, posted here for traffic.

We (couple in our 30s plus DCs under 5), currently live in Cheshire and absolutely love it here. We’re close to Alderley Edge high street and I love that we live somewhere that feels fairly rural whilst also having so much within walking distance. We have a lovely mixture of chain and independent restaurants/cafes, and have a local train station. Plus we’re only 20 minutes away from Manchester.

I know it’s not to everybody’s taste, but we love the vibe here and are really sad to be leaving.

We need to be somewhere in this circle ideally. We are completely newbies when it comes to this area - are there any places here that are like Cheshire?!

Cheshire but down south?
OP posts:
Hiptothisjive · 10/02/2026 13:53

Needtorunawayfromitall · 10/02/2026 13:51

It’s close

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It doesn't border? Well it kinda does it you don't count the M40.....

NamingNoNames · 10/02/2026 13:52

Needtorunawayfromitall · 10/02/2026 13:49

Yes, it’s pretty close 👍
I spent most weekends in Alderley edge as a late teen

Show quote history

I know the area but they're a few miles apart.

About the same as Marlow and High Wycombe or Gerrards X and Slough.

Hiptothisjive · 10/02/2026 13:51

As others have said - Beaconsfield, Marlow, Henley, Berkhamsted, St Albans, Wokingham, Chalfonts....

I don't know Cheshire so it depends on your budget (these areas are very expensive), schools (local, private, grammar), business (some of these towns are way too busy for me) and what you are looking for in terms of a town and culture.

Needtorunawayfromitall · 10/02/2026 13:51

NamingNoNames · 10/02/2026 13:47

Bramhall is not that close, to Alderley Edge but it's not far.

Marlow does not border High Wycombe. @PropertyD . The nicer part is the other end though.

It’s close

Cheshire but down south?
fashionqueen0123 · 10/02/2026 13:50

As you have kids, Wokingham. Some of the best state schools you will find. Or Twyford- a bit more rural. Henley is also nice but pricey.

NamingNoNames · 10/02/2026 13:49

Chesham isn't all that great. It's ok.
The Chalfonts are nice but no station.

Needtorunawayfromitall · 10/02/2026 13:49

NamingNoNames · 10/02/2026 13:47

Bramhall is not that close, to Alderley Edge but it's not far.

Marlow does not border High Wycombe. @PropertyD . The nicer part is the other end though.

Yes, it’s pretty close 👍
I spent most weekends in Alderley edge as a late teen

NamingNoNames · 10/02/2026 13:47

Bramhall is not that close, to Alderley Edge but it's not far.

Marlow does not border High Wycombe. @PropertyD . The nicer part is the other end though.

Ophy83 · 10/02/2026 13:43

Woodstock, just outside Oxford (home of Blenheim Palace). Other cotswold villages also good options. You probably need to do a few weekends exploring.

Needtorunawayfromitall · 10/02/2026 13:41

My childhood home is Bramhall, v close to Alderley Edge, beautiful place, miss it so much!

CambridgeCats · 10/02/2026 13:40

I don’t know Alderly Edge but based on your wish list…

West of London: Henley-on-Thames, Marlow, or perhaps smaller try Goring & Streatly?

Alternatively Amersham can be reached and the very end of the met line (zone 9) and I gather footballers and bankers live there. It’s lovely and has beautiful countryside despite being on the tube.

PropertyD · 10/02/2026 13:40

Yes - budget! Friend has just brought last month outskirts of Gerrards Cross a 3 bed for £740k. Street parking only

letshavetea · 10/02/2026 13:39

it depends where you need to go for work? That’s a very large search area. I’d agree with others that Leamington Spa and Market Harborough both meet your brief.

PropertyD · 10/02/2026 13:38

Summertown outskirts of Oxford? Know Marlow which is lovely but watch you aren’t too near High Wycombe.

theresnolimits · 10/02/2026 13:36

What’s your budget? Some of the places suggested have some of the highest house prices in the south east.

Plus some of these areas (Bucks) have grammar schools. Is that an issue?

EpsilonMaltravers · 10/02/2026 13:36

Leamington Spa is great, or for a more traditional rural market town then Market Harborough takes some beating.

ChefsKisser · 10/02/2026 13:36

Leamington is lovely- more going on than Alderley Edge more like Wilmslow size but much prettier. I don't know Bedfordshire well but Hampshire is lovely lots of nice small towns (and as pp says generally a nicer area rather than AE which is lovely but not as many other nice places around!)

NamingNoNames · 10/02/2026 13:35

@shimasu , I don't think OP would spend minutes looking at properties in Luton never mind hours.

TheFormidableMrsC · 10/02/2026 13:34

InveterateWineDrinker · 10/02/2026 12:56

Luton is exactly like Alderley Edge, maybe a little more cosmopolitan, and the houses are cheaper too. Good access to highly rated international airport, just like you're used to. You'll love it there!

Edited

I hope this is a joke 😆.

Nannydoodles · 10/02/2026 13:32

St Albans on your outer ring? Easy access to London, Watford, airports, good schools.
Where exactly do you need to get to so we can advise on transport etc.

fluffiphlox · 10/02/2026 13:26

Beaconsfield. Berkhamsted. Tring. Thame. Henley. Marlow.

FcukBreastCancer · 10/02/2026 13:25

Well I thought Luton was funny 😁

Wherestheteenguide · 10/02/2026 13:25

I like Kenilworth. Not a massive high street but plenty going on and you've got Stratford upon Avon, Warwick and Leamington spa for bigger places. Or Birmingham not that far either for city.

Second on my list would be Thame as well other Oxfordshire towns.

Closer to London, I like the area around bushey. Not rural but nice green spaces and obvs London close by.
Happy house hunting!

FcukBreastCancer · 10/02/2026 13:25

I think you are best looking in the south and south west of your circle. Assuming you have the cash...

NeverSeenThatColourBlue · 10/02/2026 13:24

Chesham and Amersham are nice. Near to the areas of outstanding natural beauty in the Chiltern Hills but still quite lively, good links to London and large towns. Good schools.