Places to live in Cotwolds nr to M40?

[MissChief]

..our relocation saga continutes! As well as still looking within the home counties, we're also seriously considering moving further west with dh commuting in (to Staines, Surrey) and we're now looking at the following spec.:

1. small quiet Cotswold stone market town
2. nr to Oxford-side of A40/M40
3. good state schools
4. 3 -4 bed period property for max £550k
5. good facilities - parks/culture/nice shops/cafes/nice town to walk around/sports
6. ideally good train links to London

I'm looking into Witney & Burford and they seem to fit the spec. Anyone know these or have any other recs? TIA!

we get fog here too but don't notice it what with all the pollution

bump in case any evening people are feeling inspired?

Not the Cotswolds, but have you considered Marlow? It is very pretty, on the Thames and very close to the M40.

The little High Street has a Waitrose, M&S Food, loads of restaurants, a Space NK, Monsoon, lots of little "boutique" style shops and a Boots plus WH Smiths.

Good schools in the area, grammar system still in operation.

hi - yes, love Marlow too, quite nr where we are now so would fit for nice & convenient option..But our dream now is the Cotswolds - in fact dh won't let me consider anything else now (tho' secretly I am )

Btw - big hello again to FN! I just don't know what you mean - you knew that this must be my thread? What are you implying?!

If you are looking at good state schools in the area, I would consider looking at Cirencester. Its not close to M40, but it is Cotswolds.

Woodstock North of Oxford would be closer to where you are looking for (Catchment area includes Bladon and that gorgeous house someone posted earlier!) Or the secondary school in Eynsham (Bartholomew's). Witney schools are okay too.

I would consider Newbury - Has some excellent state schools, but is along the M4 (According to AA - 57 mins commute to staines, 1 min more than from Oxford, and has much better state schools!)

Personally, a good option might well be a village inbetween Didcot and Newbury. You then have the choice of Didcot Girls' or the Downs. Easy access to Oxford, and some of the villages there are gorgeous!

Villages near Banbury (But would not recommend Banbury state schools) and the schools at Didcot (but don't even think of living there!)

Other places you've mentioned:

Faringdon - school is on the up, did have not such a good reputation for a long time, but it is improving. For 'A' levels though, consider the College at Swindon. People who I know that live there, would not necessarily recommend it, there are real areas of social depreivation there, but hidden because it is quite rural.

Chippy - Knew some teachers who taught there - they said it had a depressing atmosphere about it!

Wallingford school is not the best. Many of the students commute across to Didcot.

Avoid school catchments for Bicester and Carterton like the plague.

Hope this helps. I've taught in and around Oxford all of my teaching career, so have got a feel for the reputations of the different schools, and have met many a teacher from them on different Insets etc! I hope this helps you!

thanks so much, rarrie! That's such a help!
I'll check out Newbury further but wd prefer cotswold stone type place. How much more do you know about Chippy then (btw, that is Chipping Norton, isn't it? can tell I'm not in the know ..) Also, do you know anything about Burford sec.? I thought it had a good rep but its results don't seem to be great (though are improving). I guess you live in the area yourself then?

Hi

Did you manage to move? I have been trying to move for months from Croydon , got stuck there after a massive stroke . Now more able to move . I really would like to move to Oxford , Kingston upon Thames as i need the buses . Looked online at Poole and Bournemouth but it is a nightmare trying to buy .