Coming to check out B Stortford this sat- what to do?

[TeelaBrown]

We are thinking of moving to herts and going to be checking out potential towns pver the next few weekends starting with Stortford. Do you have any recommendations for things we should do or places to visit to get a feel of the town? We're coming by train and bringing a 1-year old...

DH asked a colleague who lives in BS and he seemed to think we wouldn't be able to get anywhere without a car and said that there aren't any parks etc in BS. Is that true?!

Also, it's likely that we'd be looking at houses within walking distance station so just looking around there rather than the housing estates further out.

Sorry I've just seen this post, how did your search go?

I have just moved to BS and so far I'm finding it's really geared up for families. Lots of parks, lots of playgroups etc. We've settled in really well and my one year old has lots of friends already.

I would say having a car is exceptionally useful here as many people you meet live a bit further out in the country and so getting to 'play dates' I use my car all the time but day to day the town centre is nice and compact.

The park in the centre has a great play ground and a outdoor paddling pool.

Hi Ems, great to hear you are enjoying living there. Our DDs are a similar age. We had a good look, DD enjoyed the park in town. The neighbourhoods and houses all seemed nice, it looked like a really peaceful place to live. I liked the town centre but think it could do with a few more independent shops and cafes. We also looked at Hitchin and I think I preferred their town centre but prefer the houses in BS.

We really liked the library and saw load of info on playgroups etc which looked promising! Have you found it easy to meet people and make friends? I'm quite into gardening and environmental causes so was hoping to meet people through those kind of activities as well as childrens' ones.

You said loads of parks in BS - we didn't really find any other than the big one in town - where did we miss? I would really miss all the great parks and gardens where I live now I think. I felt I could get everywhere within Stortford by foot or bike if I wanted, but I suppose that you often need to access other towns for shopping and meet ups etc. I'm aiming to pass my driving test by Christmas!

hi Teela!

there are a few parks round here - the main one, i think, is the thorley wedge running through to the southern country park, which is a large stretch of park land which goes from thorley hill right the way to the bypass. also the park in town which you've mentioned. there are wee playgrounds everywhere too, I think most roads have a local one within easy reach!

we coped without a car initially, but it is certainly easier with one. It all depends on what you want to see/do, though - it is perfectly easy to live without one. I only use ours once or twice a week now, although used to commute to cambridge and needed it daily!