Lansdown, Batheaston, Bathampton and Bathwick

[Umbrellasandladders]

We are moving to Bath early next year and we have a 6 and a 4 year old. We have 'shortlisted' Lansdown, Batheaston, Bathampton and Bathwick as areas based on our need to have access to the M4 and easy access into town. I have heard comments about the lack of a community feel in Lansdown would this be accurate? I would really appreciate views on these areas. It's so difficult to relocate a family!

I didn't know that! It's so interesting how attitudes change isnt it? I love looking at property and the changing ways people have lived. We live in a 60s house which is about as uninteresting as you can get but it's ridiculously practical. I can never make my mind up about making it more open plan though. Is it just a phase? New builds are smaller than most older properties so I can see open plan is helpful there but will we come to regret having fewer discrete spaces in our homes? I guess it all comes in cycles!

Sorry, cross post with MrsB. Also ridiculously off topic. Apologies. Just love a good property thread and get carried away.

Misstomrs a huge number of Georgian townhouses in Bath have had kitchen / dining rooms knocked through to big open plan spaces, vaults tanked and lined (damp proofing) etc in the last 20+ years but they're clamping down massively now. I tend to think big open areas lovely for entertaining but more separate spaces good for family life e.g. dcs piano, homework etc in adjacent room rather than in one large space. It's a point to watch out for buying in Bath Umbrellas - if you see separate and kitchen and dining room in a listed house (inc Grade II) don't necessarily assume you'll be able to get permission to knock through and open up the space.

this is lovely if you could stretch to a bit more. Otherwise this is also very nice, and under budget leaving room for alterations. (Both Landsdown).

Lansdown ^^

We bought a top floor flat from the elderly resident of the bottom two floors of the Georgian terrace that had once been her family home. She had some interesting stories to tell about living there in the fifties and sixties. You do find some houses that haven’t really been touched since then (our current house was one), but it’s a lot of work which OP has the budget to avoid!

TatianaLiana those are both great! I LOVE Springfield Place as lovely houses, gorgeous gardens, views, buses and that one is done beautifully AND has parking. Do it Umbrellas!!

We live in Batheaston, it's usually 10-20 minutes to the M4 so would be easy to access. Bathampton is also quick access across the Toll Bridge as long as it's before 8am. There can be long queues at rush hour and it can take 10 minutes to get across it- but still a lot faster than moving across central Bath.

I have kids at Bathampton, have friends with kids at Bathford and Batheaston. We are all happy with the schools. Bathampton's head has just announced his retirement next summer.

Both Batheaston and Bathampton do have communities, both have scout and cub groups, GPs and dentists, small general stores and Post Offices. The local pubs are OK but I wouldn't rave about them.

There is a real variety of homes lovely period homes come up in Bathampton and also St Catherine but you'd need to keep an eye out for catchment with St Catherine.

Thanks again All,

MillyMollyMardy it's good to have a Batheaston resident on the thread too. Is it OK if I PM you at some point about some Batheaston specifics?

I do like to sound of some of the roads mentioned, I am in Bath again on Friday so I will make sure I do a drive round. It's the lack of housing stock coming on the market that's really frustrating. Can't see us moving any time soon.

If any of you know Stoke Bishop in Bristol? I love that area and want to find the closest thing in Bath. We can't move to Stoke Bishop because of the problem of getting to the Mway from there.Anyone have any views about which area of Bath is the closest thing to Stoke Bishop?

Of course Umbrellas.

I don't know that anywhere compares, Bristol is just so very much bigger, I imagine plenty of people in Stoke Bishop rarely venture into Bristol centre. But in Bath, although areas have their own high streets, nowhere is far from the town centre, so Bath is more of a whole, whereas Bristol is much more made up of different parts iyswim.

I Actually think there are areas south of the river you would like, but you're best off sticking north to get to the M4.

I think you should drive past and around the following houses:

Lansdown :
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-49713423.html

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-59728840.html#_map-view

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-48677355.html

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-68619740.html

Hi. Not to butt in, but just a thought on school applications. We were trying to move into the region with a Reception age dc. We missed the deadline but were able to apply from our current borough to schools in the area. We were bottom of the heap, but did get our 2nd choice in the end. So, I suppose what I’m saying is it’s not the end of the world if you don’t move in time. Good luck with everything!

100% yes to what Joinourclub said. All those houses are in good locations too and accessible enough as bus up and down to town goes up Lansdown Hill (or walk down, bus back), easy to M4 etc

I was in Bath again today looking at a school and having a drive around (yet another!). I got the park and ride down into town just to grab a couple of things. It reaffirmed why I want to return to Bath. I love just strolling around, so many lovely little cafes and the library is great and just a lovely vibe.

We are keeping an open mind and going with the house really. I do like Lansdown but it is so expensive but understand why. Thanks joinourclub for sending the links. We've considered all of those but not 100% convinced so just going to hang on for a while. The motorway access is limiting choice somewhat. I definitely felt that a bit today. I visited Weston Park area and quite liked that as well. So would consider something in that area.

Once houses are coming up we are evaluating the 'community feel' factor. Just need to wait.

Great advice about school Accio I need to work out what to do in January depending on our situation. Highly likely we still won't be BANES residents at this rate.

I did look st a house in widcombe a couple of weeks ago but traffic dire getting down there. So don't think that area is a goer really.

I agree with the comments about Bristol, totally different place and impossible to compare. I'm not going to get sidetracked as Bath is definirely where we need to be. Was just feeling slightly desperate.

TBH wherever you start from in Bath, the A46 to the M4 is ghastly from around 7.30am. There is a 'shortcut' from Lansdown past the racecourse but the queue to get out on to the A46 north of the A420 roundabout is just as bad. So if your DH is going to avoid that by going earlier then it doesn't matter if you're somewhere like Widcombe as at that time in the morning it won't add much time anyway (disclaimer: I live in Widcombe/Lyncombe Vale). The traffic at rush hour and school run times can be bad, but outside those times it's fine. Good schools here too I believe although mine are 18 and 21 now so I no longer care! We can walk into town, and Widcombe is just great. And it's 10 mins walk to station in case your DH decides the train is better....