Moving to Malvern/Cheltenham area?

[spinningbirds]

Looking to move our family away from the busy and expensive south east, to a more rural area, but somewhere that's culturally rich (we're into art, books, etc) and with some lovely cafes, restaurants within a few miles.

Malvern/Cheltenham area seems to fit the bill, can anyone recommend nice villages, ideally pretty, with a pub, possibly a shop & school? At least 2 miles away from a motorway as we are looking for rural quiet asa a priority :)

Also, does anyone commute occasionally to london from this area? Is that mad to consider?! I need to pop to london 2-3 times a month for work, so can't really move as far as Herefordshire/welsh borders, even though it looks so pretty up there!

Any general advice would be gratefully received :)

Gloucester as a city is run down and not most people's first choice. It certainly doesn't fit OP's brief.

It's nice by the river in Evesham, but the shopping centre isn't overly attractive. If you move near Evesham or Pershore, do you're research as certain areas are more prone to flooding due to the river. Same goes for Tuesday.

One benefit of being more Malvern or Cheltenham way, is that you have immediate access to the hills and countryside for local walks. There are lots of pretty Cotswold villages nearby that have cafes, shops etc, but something to note is that the pretty ones attract tourists.

We live near the Cheltenham area and we're very happy here by the way!

Oh, I've just read some other replies, yes, totally avoid Gloucester. They are investing is regeneration, but it does feel like a rough area and also noticably more drunks and drug takers than other places I've been to. Feels safer in Cheltenham/Malvern than Gloucester.

Also, please are talking about schools. Unless you're DC are within a couple of years of starting secondary/grammer, try not to worry too much about them. Cleeve was one of the best schools around when DD went there, but it's supposedly gone downhill. Could totally turn around in a couple of years. We've been here for years and generally I don't think Pittville or All Saints have been highly thought of at any time.

Personally, I don't think Charlton Kings has any character. Leckhampton at least has a good main road for shopping and is an easy journey to town. Prestbury and Bishops Cleeve has elements of character, but the latter has expanded over the years - it's great for families, couples, elderly people as there's so much to offer every generation though.

Well, Cheltenham and Malvern aren't villages either.

But it's good to know from the various replies that Gloucester is best avoided.

We moved to Malvern a year ago and we are so happy we did, we feel so lucky to live here. It’s not gloomy or oppressive in my opinion. We looked at a similar sort of area to what you are considering and in the end chose living in Malvern rather than a village as we really valued being able to walk to things rather than always having to drive, especially with kids. We live on the north west side of the hill and get plenty of light, gorgeous views, can walk to town including some lovely coffee shops in 15-20 mins, train station in 12 mins, and have endless walks either up the hills or across stunning orchards, woodland and farmland in the other direction.

Also you’re very close to Worcester for more choice on things to do, Birmingham for lots of great arts and culture and food, Cheltenham is 45 mins away and all the wonderful Herefordshire & Worcestershire countryside surrounding you.

we also looked at properties in Pershore, and some smaller villages around that Evesham area and also down further into the Cotswolds also considered Stratford upon Avon and Warwickshire way.

Good luck with choosing your next home x

That's interesting!

Thank you for this. My in-laws love Malvern so it’s always been on the list, but it’s lovely to hear how you’re finding it with young kids

Do they go to local state or private, can I ask? We might be able to afford private (co-ed only though) but if the state schools are good that would be preferable

We just kept coming back to Malvern as it seemed to give us the best of both worlds - countryside and a lovely town. And there are some absolutely beautiful victorian houses.

Our daughter will be going to a state primary we have two in walking distance and both have great reputations. But if you can afford private then you have plenty of choice The Downs and The Elms and then Malvern College, I'm not really from that world so can't say how good they are 😆.

On the flipside I could say EXACTLY the same thing about Cheltenham 😂 (we actually drove to Malvern to walk up the hill the other day)
The nice thing being that as the DC have got older they can make their own way into town and there's a range of stuff for them to do.

So, I guess it sounds like you're winning with either option @spinningbirds 🙂