HINCHLEY WOOD, ESHER, SURREY - possibly moving here - any advice?

[indigofox1]

Hello, Just looking at possibly moving to Hinchley wood (just off the kingston bypass nr the HW station). We really don't know the area - however I was just looking for a bit of advice.

What's the area like? We have a 4 year old and a 20 month old so really looking to see what is on offer for this age group.

Also we'll be needing to apply for schools (late! eek) as moving from different boroughs so would like to know a bit more about them.

And lastly we will need to look into nurseries - which are ones to look for and ones to avoid???

I'd really appreciate your help given it's a while since this thread was originally started.

We currently reside in Southfields in Wandsworth and in a very nappy valley type area which is a lovely comfort blanket however we have been renting and would like put down roots! Unfortunately Southfields doesn't offer us as much space as we'd like, the opportunity of schools long term and we have now been priced out.

Any help would be useful as we have to make a decision pretty rapidly.

THanks

smile

There seem to be lots of people in the Thames Ditton/Hinchley Wood/Esher/Claygate area that have moved from SW London. We moved to the area before children and I was nervous about moving - but I think it's a lovely area, with plenty of baby/children's activities.

I believe demand for Hinchley Wood primary school is very high - so don't assume you will easily get a place. Check out the info on Surrey County Council's website about primary school admissions - not sure how it works for late applications. Believe there's a document on the website which tells you the furthest distance from the school that someone got in so you can work out what your chances of getting in are.

Our DD went to the nursery at Colets in Thames Ditton and was very happy there. I've heard that Busy Bees in Thames Ditton has recently been downgraded from Outstanding to Needs Improvement, but they've been assessed again recently so they might be upgraded again.

Good luck with your house search.