Tell me about Southborough

[rainydaysarerubbish]

We are seriously thinking of relocating to T Wells this year (currently in London) We have one DD 10 months and will be commuting to London. I just wanted to get an idea of the different areas of Tunbridge Wells. In and ideal world we would like to be in the centre but have seen a gorgeous house in Southborough and looks like you get more for your money there.

How does it feel living there does it have its own community? Do you still feel part of Tunbridge Wells? Is it good for schools?

Any info on the areas of T Wells would be greatly received

TIA

Southborough is on the periphery of TW and is cheaper for a reason as it's less sought after. The common is lovely but it's really a ribbon development between TW and Tonbridge. That said, the school is rated outstanding by Ofsted. Tesco have applied for pp to build a very large store backing onto the playing fields in Southborough which will remove some of the green land and will create even MORE traffic on the A26 through S'boro, and may mean that more of the independent shops close. Apart from a very good butcher, I personally don't spend any time walking around in S'boro - just spend hours sitting in traffic going through it on the A26!

It depends what you want really - if you want to be in the thick of it, then I'd be looking closer in to the town itself - where you can walk to the amenities. But, given the age of your daughter, and if you want to go down the state school route, you need to be VERY careful where you live as catchments are shrinking and there is a huge problem with a lack of primary school places.....

The 'Village' and the area around The Grove and the MLS are probably the most sought after but are really like a little London - most people are London 'expats'. So if you are looking for something a bit different, then that maybe not what you want. St James and St John's are more mixed, Culverden gets you bigger houses with gardens, but you need to be aware that there is a huge lack of primary places and you have to live close to BD school to have a chance of getting in. Areas to avoid are Sherwood, Broadwater, High Brooms.

HTH a bit.

My understanding is that you need to live v close to S'borough School if you want to stand a chance of getting in....so check catchments with the school.

Good park though in S'borough....

Hope this helps a teeny bit!

Southborough has one advantage over central TW, which is that you can drive to Tonbridge and catch the train from there. Tonbridge has two lines running through it up to London, the Hastings and Ramsgate lines. So if you're on the north side of Southborough it'll be easier to get to Tonbridge station than TW.

Rusbridge bakery in Southborough (just near the common) is excellent.

Southborough is a good place to live, we moved here mostly for the schools and our children were able to get places in great schools in both Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge. There are some good food shops, one of the best restaurants in No. 26, a good pub, parks and walks. It's better than TW for commuters as it's a few mins from Tonbridge station and a 30 minute early morning drive to Canary Wharf. And we've found a good community spirit, more friendly than when living in TW! I'd definitely recommend it!