Gloucester / Cheltenham area advice please

[Polcol]

Hi, my husband has potentially got a new job coming up in Gloucester which would mean us moving that way next year. I want to start to get a feel for various areas. We currently live in a big (ish) village in north somerset with 2 kids in primary school and one baby and I would be keen to find somewhere with a similar village feel but with close access to a town (Cheltenham or Gloucester) for leisure centre/sports clubs etc. Also with good primary and secondary schools. I don’t know the area at all well so would appreciate any advice? Thanks 🥰

Thanks again everyone. great advice on the secondary sChools. I hadn’t appreciated how many of the schools all had entrance exams around and about. Here’s hoping our kids can manage with that! 🤞 lots of good looking schools around Stroud. I hadn’t really considered that area before. What are the surrounding areas like to live in? Xx

Stroud and the surrounding areas are fab. Everyone loves Nailsworth but it's too sleepy for me. Stroud High and Marling are outstanding grammars. The comps are average. Stroud is down to earth, quiet, arty, and surrounded by green hills.

Stroud is green and has a hippyish/arty reputation. As soon as you go up the Cotswold ridge, there is more influence from London and property prices go up. If you like villages you may well prefer it to suburban Gloucester!

Pretty much all the villages in the 5 valleys around Stroud are lovely but many lack shops/pubs etc. Nailsworth and Minchinhampton are both nice and have some amenities but you may be pushing your half hour commute. Tetbury is a lovely market town but again rather further from Glos hospital. Stroud would be do-able but probably the outer edge of your circle.

In fact it may be worth you drawing that circle and asking about the various potential locations.

DM me if you want anything more specific - my kids have done playgroup, preschool, primary and secondary . Also probably most of the activities available too