Relocating to the Cotswolds

[marriedyounglawyermum]

Hi Mumsnet - really hoping for some guidance and tips on relocating to the Cotswolds (or nearby...) from London.

Me (29 f) and my husband (32 m) are looking to move with our toddler (currently 18mo) from London to the Cotswolds to be closer to family. We are really struggling to narrow it down and identify a place that would suit us.

My in laws live in a village between Stroud and Cheltenham so we would ideally like to be 30-45 mins away from them (up to an hour for the right place).

We are both lawyers and need access to London still - at the moment we have mostly remote roles which will allow us to commute just one day a week but we don't want to cut ourselves off from needing to commute more frequently down the line if necessary.

We would love to move somewhere with a real sense of community - lots of families, amenities, coffee shops, mum/baby groups etc within walking distance, so ideally a small market town.

Schools are very important (primary and secondary) - no preference of grammar vs state but would be nice to have options.

We have a budget of c. £750k for a property.

We have so far dismissed Cheltenham (too cut off from London / too big / not able to get much for your money) and Cirencester (doesn't seem to have the same pull for families and not a fan of all the housing stock being on estates on the outskirts of the town) - although if our impressions here are wrong please correct me!

So far we have visited Fairford and really like the vibe, sense of community, good schools, but I worry it is a little bit small for us (also worry that your main "big" town is Swindon and we don't really want that to be somewhere we end up spending a lot of time...). So perhaps somewhere more Oxford or Bath way would be better? (Appreciate Bath isn't the Cotswolds but if the location fits our brief we are fine with that).

Any and all suggestions and insight very welcome!

Thank you so much in advance.

There's yoga, walking groups, film club, theatre group, a library, Nailsworth in Bloom volunteering, running groups, aerial classes, guitar making, a knife making workshop, tennis, bowls, craft groups, a silver band. So many things that hopefully there's something for everyone!

Not sure what “cultural” things you want but Nailsworth has a very active community if you want to get involved. There is a small farmers market, Nailsworth in Bloom do a fantastic job keeping the town looking lovely. There are groups that do theatre trips, there is the three storeys space that regularly hosts art galleries. There is an amateur dramatics group. There is the annual Nailsworth festival and Christmas festival.

This is exactly what I was going to say. DH comes from the area, went to the Cotswold School. He has friends who have raised families in the area. There seems to be plenty going on. Stowe on the Wold seems popular, with trains from Moreton.

That's encouraging because I am considering moving there.

Have you visited Tetbury?

I live in that part of the world, and I’d suggest having a good look at Stroud itself.

Its got a really nice community feel, amazing farmers market, lots of cultural stuff going on, loads of your families and a slightly hippie vibe which is a nice contrast to London commercialism. Great walks and parks. Brilliant place for kids to grow up.

The town itself has got enough stuff to make it your main town - theatre, cinema, restaurants etc - but Bristol, Bath and Cheltenham are all close too. Trains direct to London.

Thank you - we visited Malmesbury over the weekend and whilst parts of the town were very pleasant we didn't quite get the vibe, and also didn't like the housing which all seemed a little run down, so I think we've ruled it out now.

We do like Bath! Have always enjoyed visiting it but wouldn't know where to start to live... can you recommend any particular areas?

Thank you - I've heard Charlbury is lovely and I do love the Oxfordshire cotswolds so I think it's worth us exploring, it's just whether it is worth the compromise on being slightly further from family. I have also heard that property in Charlbury is like hens teeth so worry we wouldn't be able to move there even if we wanted to (particularly not within our budget) but definitely one to consider.

Thanks, Stroud is such a good option on paper but sadly it just doesn't feel right for us. I think it's a little bit artsy/alternative whereas we are a bit more "basic/boujee"......

I think we've been put off this line a little because it is more known for tourism but maybe we should explore it still....

Cheltenham and Cirencester are in contention still but do each have their downsides (the former being that bit further from London and the latter not being quite so affluent). The search continues but it is a tricky one! We wouldn't rule out a village near e.g. Cirencester for now and then a move closer to the town as our children grow up but we want to be in the same general area throughout

Yes sadly it's a bit far for us - I grew up in Herefordshire and found it quite isolating from the rest of the country (particularly the South East) so we've ruled out anywhere north of Cheltenham really!

We haven't yet - we will add it to our list, thank you

Sorry if this has been mentioned already but my friends live in Bourton-on-the - Water and love it!

I would look at the North Cotswolds - if you are in catchment for The Cotswold School or Chipping Campden School. They are both excellent comprehensives, so you avoid the 11+ stress.

As a suggestion, look at Moreton. It might not be the prettiest of Cotswold towns, but it has a station, lots going on, and you should definitely find something in budget. You'd also have the choice of Cotswold or Campden for secondary school.

Another vote for Moreton or Chipping Camden.

Name changed for this one as it's a bit outing! Don't move within 20 miles of Swindon. It's an absolute dump. I've lived just outside of it for years and can't wait to move. I never actually go into Swindon if I can help it, but I am so bored of having to go to Bath/Bristol/Oxford to do anything fun (decent theatre, music etc). Fairford is too close IMO, although it's nice. Ditto Cricklade. Malmesbury might be OK and I like Cirencester and Stroud and villages around.

Cirencester is much more than the central area. There are many parks, gyms, and local villages. Since moving here, it seems there's some sort of fête at one village or another each week. Areas like South Cerney come under the definition of Cirencester and have their own village halls, shops, cafés and parks plus lots of nature. You may find something within your budget, but the local holiday parks (on an industrial estate, not in the village) always come up when looking online, so find options through a local Estate Agent instead of Rightmove. Smaller local villages have less amenities. Cirencester itself has plenty of shops so, as others have said, you really don't need to go to Swindon, ever. That said, other recommendations made are equally worthwhile.

Technically Oxfordshire, not the Cotswolds - just on the border but Charlbury! It has a train station straight into London, real sense of community, beaut houses and outstanding secondary - chipping Norton!

Small market town, easy access to London - as others have said, Moreton-in-Marsh must be worth a look.

I live in the Cotswolds (always have, I love it) and up till two years ago was travelling regularly to London, driving to Moreton and taking the (very regular almost hourly) Paddington train.

I don't know about the community 'vibe' (though most places have some of that once you get into it) but it's an attractive little place. It has a nice little library, and a very useful, usually quiet! hospital/minor injuries unit just outside on the road to Stow.

Another vote here for Chippenham. There are some lovely villages around the town, the town itself has everything you need and trains straight into Paddington in just over an hour. Bath and Bristol very easy to get to also. Can’t help with baby groups but there are some great sports clubs that my older kids attend. We are a stones throw from the Cotswolds so loads of great places to visit very close by.

Charlbury is nice, well I think so. Good train links to Paddington.

Cheltenham is an amazing town to live with a young family. It’s a big festival town - science/food/jazz/racing/literature. Always loads going on. The schools are great - lots of choice regardless of where you reside re comps/private and grammar and as someone else said, little kids don’t stay little for long - lots more for them to do in Cheltenham but it isn’t ’too Big’ you’d worry about them.

Being honest though, the train commute does my head in as I’m one of the London commuters. Trains run at a decent time, direct is 2hrs but stops at all the places on the way which feels tedious. If you don’t get the direct back, trains are often delayed and I’ve honestly got a side hustle on ‘delay repay’ due to the amount of hours I’ve spent not getting home on time.

Having said all this….the train debacle is something I can put up with for the upsides for my family.

£750k will get you more for your money in Charlton Kings which is a big family area (excellent schools). It’s a little more ‘cut off’ from the centre so has a smaller community feel. Cheltenham folk won’t go there unless for a specific reason so it’s pretty independent. Personally would avoid Bishops Cleeve.

If you want more of a community feel, you’ve also got Prestbury Village - but I don’t think your budget would get you much there.

Cheltenham is sadly Stupid money. How people can say it’s because of good commuter links though clearly aren’t commuters!

I also think if you’re coming from London, unless you’ve grown up in a market town before going there, without wishing to sound patronising, it’s a huge gear shift in pace of life and convenience which many struggle to adapt too.

Good Luck!!