Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Forces sweethearts

If you have a family member in the Royal Navy, RAF or army, find support from other Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

anyone been to abbeywood?

16 replies

MuchLessTiredNow · 11/01/2009 18:09

dh might be going htere this summer - what are the primary schools like, and is it true that there are no nursery places for love nor money?

OP posts:
Scootergrrrl · 11/01/2009 19:01

Evening! Bristol way isn't it? A few people worked there but lived in Warminster when we were there which was ok.

MotherOfGirls · 13/01/2009 17:26

We were in quarters in Hilperton, near Trowbridge, a couple of years ago and some people commuted to Abbey Wood from there. We had a fantastic primary school withing walking distance, although it was difficult to get a place. It was called The Mead, if you want to check it out. I wasn't aware of anyone having difficulties getting nursery places.

The quarters were new and shiny, with en suite power showers but tiny gardens. Only Majs and Lt Cols or equivelant. In fact there are some identical quarters at Abbey Wood which, I think, are in cycling distance of the 'office'.

Ripeberry · 13/01/2009 17:31

I used to catch the train from Abbeywood station to get to Cardiff. There is a bit shopping prescinct just next to it, with Next, Matalan, JB sports, Brantano shoes but the Woolworths has now of course closed down.
Not sure about the childcare/school situation but it is a NIGHTMARE around that area come 4.30pm as most nights the roundabout comes to a complete standstill there are so many people coming out of Abbeywood.
But it's great for cycling

Original poster
MuchLessTiredNow · 13/01/2009 20:26

hadn't though of warminster as a satellite patch.... was it a daily commute? I know some people at emmerson green, but as MOG says, diddy gardens, and I seem to remember you being all on top of each other

can you tell I don't want to go?

OP posts:
Scootergrrrl · 14/01/2009 09:19

It's only about an hour, I think. I'll check with DH when he gets home. I made us a thread in FS but I look like a saddo cos someone's had to bump it for me. Come over!

verytallbird · 27/02/2009 14:08

Am a bit late replying to this but DH was at abbeywood until last summer and we lived in Emersons Green.... ok, in a new house estate kind of way! Let me know if you want anymore information as we ended up being there for 3 years.

Drusilla · 27/02/2009 22:33

They also use Colerne and Chepstow as satellite patches

arcticwind · 27/02/2009 23:01

My dh (civilian Naval architect) is there. A lot of the forces people live in Nailsea which has good schools and a direct train service.

We lived in Bradley Stoke but the schools are varied - need to get into the right one, altho the journey in is fine.

Alomndsbury / Thornbury areas have good schools but no trains, and traffic busy from 8am

There are lots of commutable areas - we caught the train from Trowbridge originally and of course Bath is possible, or SOuth like RAdstock, Midsomer Norton, Paulton etc if you have a car. Traffic is not good but you can pick your times from what dh has said.

We are now near Westbury on Trym which I love and the primary schools are excellent - but the journey is erratic I think.

It is not really that bad a place to be ...

Have fun if you do end up here

MotherOfGirls · 28/02/2009 17:28

Is Emerson's Green within walking / cycling distance of Abbey Wood? Are any of the patches?

MotherOfGirls · 28/02/2009 17:30

Actually, has anyone got a postcode for Abbey Wood, please? I can then check out the distances myself. (We may be off there in the summer.)

willowthewispa · 28/02/2009 17:33

I've worked at the Abbey Wood nursery. Postcode is BS34 I think.

arcticwind · 28/02/2009 21:33

BS34 8JH

WetAugust · 28/02/2009 22:34

I work there. The postcode is BS34 8JH. I was talking to someone last week who is trying to get there baby into the nursery but the waiting list is ridiculous and it could take over a year.

The big problem with the place is the traffic at each end of the working day. It can take 30 mins to get out of the place on a really bad night, so timewise it can be a long journey even if you live close.

Also got to be very careful about schools. Avoid living in the area served by Bristol Council ( on of the worst education authorities in the country) and stick to South Glos or Bath and NE Somerset (BANES) or even Wiltshire.

Bath is do-abable as is Chippenham along the M4. Also SE Bristol is good and only 7 miles to Bath from there. But you need to be careful about the schools in that area as there are some get high ratings but are real hell-holes (from experience).

A good option is Keynsham (BANES) as the Bath side of the town is in the Wellsway school catchment area - probably the best in that area.

willowthewispa · 28/02/2009 22:39

Tbh, I wouldn't recommend the nursery there (Woodpeckers), especially for babies. The baby room is too big, there's poor management and a quick turnover of leadership.

MotherOfGirls · 01/03/2009 12:20

Thanks for the postcode - off to recce the area tomorrow!

arcticwind · 01/03/2009 21:15

I agree about the on site nursery - only any good for 3+ year olds.

The best nursery (starts at age 2) in Bristol is The Red House nursery in Westbury Park, and there are also some excellent primary schools there too.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page