Advice on moving to Teddington, Hampton, Twickenham, Strawberry Hill

[KateDela1973]

Hello We're planning a move back to London after 10 years abroad and are thinking of the Richmond Borough. Looking for villagy feel but still with good schools, shops, restaurants, social life etc. Our 12 yr old boy has a place at Hampton School and the 6 year old at Newland House. Can you let me know your thoughts on these schools and whether there are others we should be looking at. Also another worry is flight path noise. Out of these areas which one suffers least/most from this issue? Finally general views on best place to live out of the four above or other suggestions nearby? We used to live in Balham so not so familiar with this area. Oh one more question! What's the commute like from these areas? Not sure where we'll be working yet but good to get an idea how painful it is! Thanks a lot, Kate

Out of those 4 if budget not an issue, I'd choose Teddington.

Aircraft noise worst in Hampton. Can be bad when planes are on "easterlies" 30% of the time approx in the other 3.

Trains best from Twickenham (22 mins to Waterloo)
Then Teddington, Strawberry Hill
Hampton nowhere near as frequent train service as Teddington/S'Hill.
Strawberry Hill has the benefit of a local station but also walking distance to Twickenham for the fast train, Teddington for the nice high street and Newland House is actually in Strawberry Hill. However no direct bus to Hampton school from Strawberry Hill (short walk to Teddington for the 285).

Am i helping? not really

If you think your son will be a rower, the Hampton boathouse is in Sunbury which is a pig to get to by local transport. So in that instance, Hampton would be your best bet!

yes and both schools fab choices.

From Strawberry Hill (Twickenham Green side) the R70 stops right outside Hampton.

Would you look at Richmond?

Hampton School has an extensive school bus service so you're not limited there.
Newland House is on the R68 or 33 bus routes (v frequent) from Richmond, or few stops on the train.

Lots of trains to Waterloo, plus end of the District Line Tube.

Thanks so much for all your advice! I think it looks like Teddington or Strawberry Hill the best options. No idea where we'll be commuting to as we have to both find jobs when we return. There may be a chance of keeping my current job in which case the commute would be to Victoria which will be just about bearable. I'm spoilt as my current commute is 15 minutes drive but I do work in a dusty desert in Dubai with a view of cranes and warehouses so Victoria would be a step up! Coming back in a couple of weeks so will wander round Teddington/Strawberry Hill to see what it's like. I am worried about the aircraft noise though as have friends in Mortlake and Kew and the planes fly past their windows every minute day and night it's horrendous. Not sure I could get used to it but you never know! My husband's commute when we lived in Balham was torture, 3-4 hours a day so we need to take time finding jobs in west London or companies with flexible working policies. Overall I think Richmond borough is lovely, so many beautiful parks, river etc so I think we'll be happy there. Thanks again for your advice!

Plane noise in Kew is horrific, constant. It's nowhere near as bad as that out in Teddington.

my dh commutes to victoria. Train to Clapham Junction then change to Victoria - Clapham to Victoria trains come every minute or so. Surprisingly it is quicker than going directly into Waterloo.

Victoria is not a bad commute from Tedd/SH at all - I agree with NoCampingHere.

Great schools. Move to Teddington as will have 5-7 years able to walk/cycle to Newland house (where parking is getting more limited) while eldest can catch r68 bus to Hampton School then short walk. Teddington to Waterloo train takes 37 minutes and you'll get a seat. Planes generally ok if have double-glazing, as they are not constant ( but there is a campaign group on latest runway plans you should look up ) and randomly there is a helicopter flight path too. St Mary's uni is planning a big expansion which may impact Strawberry Hill more. Good luck with the house hunting

Strawberry Hill doesn't get affected by Twickenham Rugby traffic / volume of people as the rugby stadium is at the Whitton end of Twickenham which is about a couple of miles from Strawberry Hill which is the Teddington end of Twickenham