Where would suit us - Glos/Worcs?

[ifonly4]

We're thinking about moving in a year or so, around the Gloucestershire/Worcestershire area.

Ideally we'd be looking for somewhere with a few shops, nice pub and access onto public footpaths within 15 mins walk with a bus service. If not, a nice town or market town where we could possibly live close to centre. Hard to put into words, but somewhere with a bit of soul close by./community feel. We won't need to think about schools or work (I can transfer within 15 miles of anywhere and DH can work primarily from home).

If you know these areas, but nowhere that fits our criteria, we'd still be interested to hear of places that you think are good to live. We'll be taking a few trips to the areas, so we can get a feel before me move.

Just bumping this back up, in case someone has any suggestions.

Ross on Wye and SE of it, down to Mitcheldean across to Lydbrook and Symonds Yat

I would have a look around the Stratford upon Avon/ Warwick/ Leamington Spa down into the cotswolds.... Broadway, Chipping Campden etc. It's beautiful, with the countryside on your doorstep, lovely towns and villages.
I moved from the south to this area and would never go back. It's got everything you've mentioned OP, also Birmingham is about an hour away, so I can still access cultural/city stuff, also great motorway links for the rest of the country.
House Prices can be steep but where aren't they!
I can't recommend it enough.

Nailsworth or Stroud?

What's your budget?

Lechlade is lovely, as is Bourton (but you have to love tourists). Winchcombe is smaller, more village than town. Up in Worcs - Pershore is a nice little market town and fits your criteria. Malvern is good if you like walking and have strong calf muscles for the hills

Thanks for your replies everyone. I'll have a good look at the options suggested over the next day or so. A quick look tells me we'd get a bit more for our money around Ross. We can certainly manage the hills around Malvern (camped in the Malverns a few years ago). We have friends deep in the Warwickshire countryside, so will pick their brains.

Our budget is £350,000, which probably won't get us what we'd ideally like so there'll have to be a compromise. DH wants detached, I want this to be our last move so a bungalow - we're capable of walking miles but both are getting knee problems so stairs aren't ideal! I'd consider a two bed and think it'd be a good idea to have 2/3 locations we'd like.

We've go a week off in May so will do a bit of sightseeing and investigate what some of the areas have to offer.

I have a few suggestions, for different reasons.

We have an elderly relative who lives in Berkeley. Not hilly, but local people are very friendly, supportive. You'll find shops, pubs, cafes on your doorstep and things happening at the village hall. Not hilly, but canal walks nearby.

As mentioned above Malvern, Pershore, Ross, Stroud, are nice towns, Nailsworth is a large village/smaller town. Pershore, Ross and Stroud used to have market days, Stroud being particularly good for food.

The area of Woodmancote/Bishops Cleeve north of Cheltenham has a local street fair/May Day event if you want to get involved in that sort of thing. Both have a old character pub which are popular, a good bus service. Bishops Cleeve has a good choice of shops, a couple of supermarkets, whilst retaining some character. Also, Tithe Barn which has exercise and dance classes, as well as other options. They're at the bottom of Cleeve Hill so great for walks.

Moreton in marsh, it's a pretty flat market town in the cotswolds with a direct train to London and bus services

Have a look at Pershore - it really is a lovely size with a heart, v friendly and more facilities than you'd expect from a town of its size. Bus to Worcester/Evesham, rail to London or to Birmingham with a change, good motorway link. No residential flooding either

A big thank you to everyone that's replied to my post. The replies have given us lots to look into.