Considering a move to Hook Heath

[Seahorse15]

Hi there, was hoping someone can help me with the following queries I have on Hook Heath. I have a 3 yr old and am expecting in 2 weeks :)

• I live in Mortlake now and the sense of community is great, what's it like in Hook Heath? Am concerned that I'll feel isolated
• any thoughts on Barnsbury primary school as this would be our nearest school (if we get this house!). I heard it now has the goldsworth primary school head which is a good sign?

What do mums in Hook Heath do? Travel to Mayford/ Horsell for baby activities? Any other information you can share on woking/hook heath would be great as have read a lot of negative comments re: woking but not sure how recent this feedback is. Really, really appreciate any assistance. For those of you who've been through the move out of London dilemma you'll know it's completely overwhelming!! Thanks again!!

Good luck with everything, we've posted your thread on our FB page to see if someone can help.

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Local Editor

I live in Hook Heath. I have a 4 year old and a 2 year old. I would say the area itself is lovely and there are plenty of activities to do with kids a little further affield. I think the church in St Johns has toddler mornings, baby dance classes and the like although we haven't done any. My girls attend school and nursery in Guildford so can't really comment on local schools, although I know children from DD1's nursery are at Barnsbury and seem happy enough. I would recommend the area if you have a car so can easily get to playgrounds and the leisure centre (which has a good soft play and a fabulous pool which we use all the time). The closest playground is in St Johns and it's a bit rubbish. We used to live in West Hampstead so I know the move out can be daunting but it's worth it!

I lived on the edge of Hook Heath (the Woking side rather than further away) when ds1 was a baby and it was ok, but not exactly humming with activity. We had family in the area and I went back to work anyway so I wasn't around much in the day. Depending on where exactly you live the houses can be quite separated and you may find it isolating after London. There is nothing to do IN Hook Heath itself (unless your three year old plays tennis or croquet!) but there are probably still all the usual groups and activities in the local area. It's really on the edge of walkability to either Woking or St John's (again depending on which bit you live in) so you really need access to a car if you are not to spend hours each day just walking to get a pint of milk or a newspaper. Did you have other options of areas in mind or are you particularly set on Hook Heath?

Thanks so much for your replies. We weren't set on hook heath but have seen a lovely house which is much bigger than what we could get in Esher/Claygate (where we had been looking!) and to be honest am being a bit blinkered by this lovely house rather than the area. Think we really need to figure out our priorities and what we can compromise on and then resume looking when the baby is born! Thanks again for your responses - v helpful. I've heard good things about Horsell, but not sure what the state school primary option is after the village school as the junior school doesn't fare v well with ofsted (although I know not only consideration).

Hi there, I don't live in Hook Heath but have lived in Woking (Horsell) for 7 years after living in Maida Vale. I was dubious about Woking too but have actually found it a lovely place to live. There are loads of mums with young children and lots of classes, friendly people and loads of opportunities to meet other mums. I have a 3 year old who is due to start school next September and I am considering Barnsbury also. I believe kids from Barnsbury either go to Winston Churchill or Woking High School in Horsell. I currently live in Horsell but will be out of the catchment area for Horsell Cof E by 0.2 of a mile! (Horsell and Goldsworth Primary have a lot of competition and are very popular, you pretty much have to live on the doorstep to get in!)
Good luck with your decision, Hook Heath is a lovely area but like other people have said you would definitely need a car to get around.

If you want any more info feel free to PM me.