Market Town suggestions - schools not a consideration

[LilOnline]

I know market towns aren't rural, but wasn't sure what category to put this in. I will be in a position to move out of the South East / London area in the next few years and am looking for my next move and was hoping that I could get suggestions. I hope to visit and stay in Air Bnb's in various towns for a week here and there (I work remotely).

Considerations are:

1. Has at least one decent size supermarket, a few shops in a high street and is walkable. I can't drive (I hope to eventually learn but I don't want to depend on a car). So not rural or a small village.
2. I am moving away from London to get away from the busyness, crowds, pollution, anti-social behaviour / drugs, litter. Being near nature/parks/outdoor living would be great as well.
3. Quiet way of life. I am hoping that not having requirements for nightlife or schools would open up towns that are not expensive. I will be living alone so a few amenities and a nice sense of community is welcome.
4. Well connected, preferably with a train station.
5. Diverse or welcoming of diversity. I am not English or white (but I'm fluent in English).
6. I have family in the Malmesbury/Chippenham area and would like to remain within 1.5 hours drive so they can come visit me, preferably with a town that isn't overpriced and touristy.

I did some research and I think I will like towns like Frome, Stroud and Shrewsbury and I will be visiting them (for the first time) over the next 2-3 months. Shrewsbury may be a bit further north than I would like to go but worth a look. I was hoping I could get other ideas or suitable areas that aren't as well known (and are better value). Thanks in advance

Have you looked at Ledbury in Herefordshire?

I thought 'Ledbury' too, looking at that list, I really like Ledbury to browse around in (I was there last weekend, live not far from there) but in the name of being honest!:

WRT the well-connected bit: quite a few of the trains that are meant to go there and then on to Hereford get terminated at Malvern or Worcester, which is a pain, as they are infrequent enough as it is. However, that alone wouldn't put me off! As Ledbury has much to recommend it.

It's well supplied for independent shops, as well as Coop etc and a big Tesco, and there's Waitrose at both Malvern and Hereford. But the independent shops are amazing, and have everything you could need. The main street is really long, also lots of nice cafes (haven't been to the pubs there though). The big park that you'll see if you look on maps is private, but there is lovely countryside all around.

In terms of diversity, it isn't, nor are any of the southern parts of Worcs and all of Herefordshire, but my perception is that I would say 'welcoming of' (I'm white, so I can't speak from any kind of experience). Strong community feel, the Poetry Festival has a great reputation, lots of stuff going on. As it's between Stroud and Shrewsbury, if you are heading vaguely this way, it's worth a look.

Lots of people love it, but I couldn't warm to Stroud, and when I first left London a decade ago, that was where I intended to live. It is much busier that I thought it would be - the traffic through it really surprised me (at non rush-hour time of day). I think the villagey bits on the fringes are lovely, but the very central parts, the 'town' bit, I just didn't feel it was what I was looking for. The alternative, green, artsy side is very appealing, but I don't get that "yes, this is for me" feeling there. There are loads of threads on Stroud on Mumsnet, so if you do a search there's plenty of info.

If you are considering Frome, have you also thought about Bruton? It's become very posh, but it used to be on my list of 'that would be a nice place to live' ideas.

Sorry for the mini essay...

Eh...your a ledburyrite ain't ya shag 😂 @ChevreChase

Why not the place your family are?