Trying to decide where to move - Malmesbury or Chippenham

[beelam123]

Hubbie and I are relocating down to Wiltshire and am trying to decide where to settle - either Malmesbury or Chippenham as they both seem to have good schools (DS 9yrs and DD 7 yrs) so need to look at both primary and secondary. Anyone have first hand views of the secondaries in Chippenham or Malmesbury please? Also am trying to think about clubs - am struggling to find any in Malmesbury - would be interested in rugby, hockey, swimming, trampolining, dance and drama. Again does anyone know if these exist close to Malmesbury or Chippenham. Advice greatly welcome as need to move within 5 weeks!!

Hello, I live just outside Malmesbury so I will try to give you some info to help. I don't any longer have school age children so I can't comment first hand on schools but they do have good OFSTED reports. The primary school is full to bursting so you may find yourself having to arrange village school places for your son and daughter. Some of the village schools are very good and provide smaller classes and more individual attention. Regarding clubs I know there is swimming, trampolining and dance classes in Malmesbury because some of my Brownies attend them. Have you looked at the Wiltshire council website under family information? It lists lots and lots of clubs and sports groups. or you could contact the Activity Zone Malmesbury direct because by no means all the classes going on there are on the website. Malmesbury is considerably smaller than Chippenham but that makes it a friendly place to live. There is a standing joke that the reason the High Street is one way is to prevent drivers winding down their windows to chat and grid-locking the town centre. What ever you decide I wish you a smooth move and hope you and the family settle in well

Thank you SomerfordBrownieOwl - I'll definitely take a look at the council website and its good to know that there are clubs in the town - I was just bothered about having to be in the car every day traipsing back and forth across Wiltshire to various activities! I see what you mean about the schools - spent most of the day calling the various schools to be told they had no spaces !!! Yikes!!

Just thought of this. If you have moved down by half term don't miss the chance to skate-board in a 12th century Abbey. Google Malmesbury Abbey skate to see what we get up to once a year in Malmesbury Abbey. It really is a fantastic few days

beelam I expect you have moved already but if not I can vouch for Chippenham as we moved here last year. I am not familiar with Malmesbury so can't compare the two. but they are not that far apart and some nice areas inbetween.

For us it is great how we can be on the M4 within minutes, the railway line is also great. 12 Mins to Bath, just over an hour to Paddington as DH goes to Heathrow and lot this is a definite plus.

We did not get any school places either so enrolled ours at an independent Prep in Corsham (Heywood) and are very happy there. Hardenhuish and Sheldon both well thought of high schools which we will look at when the time comes.

Lots of clubs in the surrounding areas, mine do a few in addition to the after school clubs which are also great.

hope this helps or if you have moved already hope you are settling in

I'd go for Malmesbury every time. I can't think of any reason to recommend Chippenham.

Royal Wootton Bassett is also v nice. Excellent primary and Academy schools, loads of clubs and stuff. Definitely rugby, drama, trampolining, dance, hockey