Does anyone know both these areas in Wiltshire- Malmesbury and Bradford on Avon?

[Otterspotter]

Not sure if this is the best place to post but giving it a go for traffic.

I am getting divorced and selling my family home in North London with a view to moving closer to my Mum in Wiltshire.

I have two young children who are 3 and nearly 7 and am quite apprehensive about my new life as a single mum. I really want to get this move right for them (also me of course).

I have focussed in on these two areas as they both seem really lovely, nice places to raise children, and they have great schools. The transport links and proximity to Bath makes Bradford-on-Avon stronger in that respect, but (probably because of this) you certainly seem to get that bit more for your money in terms of housing in Malmesbury (I am looking at modest 3 bed terraced houses).

I would appreciate any input at all...for example about schools, social stuff going on, a general comparison of the two, anything really.

TIA

Alternatively can anyone recommend a better place to post this?!

I don't know them hugely well but am replying from Bath right now (live around that area). BoA is lovely and closer. Colleagues live there and one has a small child and is very happy. I really like it and it has a nice feel. I can't comment re schools etc though. Ironically another colleague lives in Malmesbury and has fmaily there with small DC (seem to be happy with the school). I would say both are quietish. If you think you will head to Bath a lot I would opt for BoA I think as easier. Traffic is mad. It's a lovely part of the world in which to live otter.

And I would repost in the local Bath one. Might help too.

I live close to both of them - they are both lovely towns. I don't know much about the schools in BoA but both primary and secondary are excellent in Malmesbury, particularly the secondary. It's close to the M4 and close to Chippenham, which is on the Paddington to Bristol train line.

I live in West Wilts so know BonA better than Malmesbury. It's very nice but gets extremely busy traffic wise, especially in the summer. It's a pain to drive through so we take a circuitous route to avoid it. Great walking along the canal to Bath though. Agree with previous posters, if Bath is your hub BonA would be best but if you need to use the M4 regularly Malmesbury would be better. I have no idea about schools in either, sorry.

All useful thank you

Does anyone have any recent comments about Christ church, Bradford-on-Avon?

Just bumping my old thread as still trying to decide!!

I know Malmesbury. It is a lovely town, we’ll connected but also has plenty of local facilities, good high street etc.

Parts flood so check any history carefully.

Also while the schools are very good they don’t have capacity for all the new houses built / being built and the local school decided not to expand - so children are having to be bussed out to neighbouring villages.

That sounds really negative but I do think it’s a lovely place and would happily live there with my dc.

*well

Yes, I have discovered that Malmesbury schools are very full. Luckily we might be able to get into St Joseph’s, which I visited and thought was lovely