Areas around Brum with good schools and horse riding countryside?

[Fabronthemagician]

Hi,
Looks like we will be relocating for work in Birmingham and want to have good train links in, decent schools for 4 and 7 year old and access to countryside. Horse riding is part of our life so really keen to have access to good riding countryside. We have been thinking Lichfield but not sure what is around in terms of accessible countryside?? Any other suggestions would be welcome as also thinking about the routes in from stratford/warwick area??

Leamington Spa might be worth a look? You have Newbold Comyn near it (it has a horse riding route within it and fields, is a big country park), and several primary schools. Its around a 40 min train journey into birmingham

South Warwickshire is very horsey! Lots of riding round Stratford or on the Warwick/Leamington lines into Brum

Thanks for the replies, are there any particular villages in those areas? What are peoples thoughts on the cannock chase area? Looks great horseriding but unsure of commute into Birmingham and schools? TIA

Not sure about Cannock but there are parts of Stourbridge that are nice and a very easy commute into Birmingham. Hagley, Belbroughton, Chaddesley Corbett, Clent are all nice villages nearby, rural but close enough to good shopping and leisure facilities. Kinver is a lovely village but a little further away from the train line.
Or there’s the towns of Bromsgrove and Redditch, and surrounding villages which are also a quick commute into Birmingham.
You might even want to look at Worcester or Malvern but although there are good train services into Birmingham it’s a longer journey, maybe an hour.
All of these areas have good state and independent schools. Just be aware some areas of Worcestershire I think retain a three tier system of first, middle and secondary school, while others are the more usual two tier - primary and secondary.

All of the above might not have riding schools, stables and hacking centres on the doorstep but certainly within a short drive.

Alvechurch area? On train line into bham and horsey. Nice community feel, apparently

I would echo what Papergirl said and maybe include Droitwich in those near Belbroughton, Clement, Chaddesley Corbett.

Clent not clement!

Thanks @papergirl68. That is great to hear. Not so much worried about livery, stables etc.. as hopefully looking for something with its own paddock or might just rent a field but just want to be sure there is good riding country/bridleways (teamed up with decent schools!!)

Hi @sleepwhenidie how accessible is countryside from Droitwich. Looks good for hubs in terms of train into brum but would like to able hack out from close to where we might end up...thanks

Worcester and surrounding area is very much horse country. Access to good rail services into Brum or straight onto M5 and M42 approx 40mins into Brum centre. Several excellent private schools Bromsgrove, RGS and Kings in Worcester and Malvern College. Lots of lovely villages in beautiful countryside with village schools and well performing state secondary schools such as The Chantry in Martley.

Are you talking commute by car or train? Train links are better from Lichfield

Cannock Chase trekking centre is amazing

If you have you own horses there are lots of places to ride on Cannock Chase and easy access to stations for commute

There are lots of beautiful villages very close to Lichfield train station that would be perfect for what you’re looking for.

Hi, thanks all for your help. Our preference would be to get the train in to the city centre. Must admit we had looked at Lichfield/Shenstone area but having not lived there wasnt sure of the school situation coupled with option to get out into countryside with horses.
@bastedyoungturkey...any tips for villages with good schools. Looking for nice village with a bit of bustle about it..I.e.e has abit for the children to get involved in...thanks again!

Armitage, Alrewas, Yoxall, Longdon, Whittington, Fradley, Barton-under-Needwood, Shenstone, Stonnall, Hopwas.

Plenty to go on there! They’re lovely villages in nice surroundings, all have decent primaries and access to good secondaries and within a short driv of the station at Lichfield. PM me if you want to know anything more specific.

I would recommend the Malvern area (Colwall or Malvern) and the Worcester independent schools when you get to secondary.