Windsor, Marlow or Henley

[nebzil]

Hello,

I am moving to the Maidenhead area in early January as my husband's job is now in Maidenhead. We are leaving behind our much loved home in Bristol....We have two boys aged 18 months and 3 in January.
We have no connections or knowledge of the area (apart from one short weekend trip) I expect we will end up renting somewhere initally. After a year of my husband commuting 4 hours a day on the train it must be in striking distance of Maidenhead.
I currently have my eye on Marlow, Henley or Windsor. Does anyone have knowledge of these places? Ideally we would like somewhere with good primary schools but would consider another move for secondary. We don't have the money for private schools and I believe the house prices will be more expensive than in Bristol.
So far our concerns are that we will end up in a village somewhere... we are spoilt in Bristol as we can walk to just about everywhere we want and the thought of having to get in the car to get a pint of milk is not a happy one.
If anyone has any advice I would be super grateful. Thanks.

Have a look at Cookham too. Easy commute to M'head and has shops you can walk to if you are in the village. Good primary schools and in catchment for out of county grammars. Generally cheaper than Marlow.

I grew up in Marlow and went to a grammar school as did my siblings. I don't live that far away now and have friends who still live there with kids. If you can live near the town centre you can walk to most places and there are some really nice streets to live in and plenty of young families there so once you get into the local community you will undoubtedly make plenty of friends. You are bang in the middle of the grammar catchment for Marlow and High Wycombe being in Bucks. There is a lovely park and it is easily commutable to lots of places.

Henley is equally as nice but as you might know it is one of the most expensive places in the country to live and you don't have the benefit of the great grammar schooling post primary. I'm not sure of the primary schools as I think a lot of people err to the privat system (although if you move to Sonning Common/Caversham area you have a fabulous selection of primary schools but that may not be so great for commuting to Maidenhead). My own view ( I know Henley very well) is that Marlow is probably slightly better for young families than Henley......

I don't know much about Windsor sorry !

From a schooling and nice town point of view if I was choosing I'd go for Marlow but I'm biased !! ....I often thought I'd like to go back there but I am where I am now and quite happy with it too !

Thank you so much for your replies. It is great to hear from people who know these places well (hoorah for the internet!) We had a look in Maidenhead, but discounted it as the high street was full of banks/pound shops and charity shops (probably being a bit harsh and spoilt for choice from being in Bristol - I am sure it is not that bad) I heard the schools are meant to be ok there too.
I still fancy one of the 'prettier' places - and maybe you are right, Marlow would be good for both Primary and Secondary schools. It is strange having to consider where to move based on schools having never had that as a consideration before. How assured are you of a place at the Grammar schools when you live in Marlow? Do people have to move nearer or is it quite easy to get in once you pass the exam?
Would love to hear from anyone who knows about Windsor.
Will do some research on Cookham. I think we drove through it but didn't stop. Could be an option - just so scared of being totally reliant on a car to get about.

Also, forgot to mention Reading. Being a large city I expect it would have more facilities. What are the schools like? Where are the good places to live. Would anyone recommend it over Marlow or any of the other 'pretty' places?

My children were brought up in Marlow and attended Marlow CofE first school, and then moved on up to Holy Trinity Middle school - both lovely schools.
There is only one grammar in Marlow and that is Sir William Borlase.
On passing the 11+ many children attend the grammar schools in \High Wycombe. My boys attended The Royal Grammar and two of my granddaughters attend Wycombe High School.

They are all quite different, but all good choices! Windsor is a much bigger town than Henley or Marlow, so of course you get more traffic, less garden for you money and all those things, but you would have access to department store, lots of high end childrens shops and so on. There is loads for children to do through walking and short drive. However the train-link is a bit slow (probably better catching train to Slough and fast train to London). Lots of good state and private schools, but also some less good ones. Windsor Boys (senior) and also the girls schools are very good.

Marlow is a much smaller town, but very nice. Again lots of good schools (and some less great ones, so watch catchment areas) and lots to do (although slightly less than Windsor) within walking distance. I would say it has more community feel than Windsor. It is very popular with families.

Henley I don't know as well, but I would say it is more expensive than Marlow. probably comparable in terms of stuff to do and shops. Probably slightly longer commute to London.

Reading is defintely more large town. I don't know any one that lives there, but I think Caversham is quite nice and easily accessible to town centre. I personally don't think it has the 'character' and community feel of the other places.

I agree with you on Maidenhead.

Happy to answer any specific questions you may have!

Just to throw Wokingham into the mix. we live there and my husband commutes around 20-30 mins to Maidenhead centre each way (must be said traffic has got worse over the last few years).
Its not a Windsor or Henley, but Wokingham is good value and a fantastic community, and the facilities are good. Only 10 mins on the train to Reading or a short drive. I survive without a car here - as the mother of a toddler I can say the toddler group/activities scene is very good!

I'd pick Marlow as my first choice but by gum they're all expensive places and really hard to get a house with elbow room - not that there aren't lovely houses there but EVERYONE wants them! Don't move to somewhere small there thinking you will easily be able to move somewhere bigger in a couple of years.

Windsor personally i would be less keen on because of the flight path, though maybe it's just as much of a prob in Marlow and I haven't noticed?

IMO buy bikes if you go anywhere like this because the traffic is so awful.

Well I grew up in Windsor. What can I tell you?

It's expensive, but I guess you know that.

As far as schools go, then be aware it runs the Primary, Middle and Upper School System (or it did til a couple of years ago). So no 11+ and you tend to get into schools primarily by catchment so bear that in mind when you rent.

Most not all of the schools are good. Only upper schools (13-18) are single sex.

I am from Windsor too, went through school there as did my siblings (2 brothers and a sister).

I love windsor (am now in Midlands due to husbands job) but would love to move back there one day.
Any thing you want to know ask away and wb they are still doing the 3 school system.

Nothing constructive to add but had to just say, I saw the thread title in active convos and thought this was going to be a baby name thread

I second the Wokingham suggestion, which has some great state primary and secondary schools.

I grew up in the Reading/Wokingham area and have never felt any inclination to leave.

Aah my old haunts!! I grew up about ten minutes from Windsor and spent many a happy teenage moment there. I recently lived in Marlow before moving to the US.
I agree with all of what has been said above about Windsor. Windsor is quite busy especially around the holidays. Marlow is just gorgeous and perfect for young families. We spent last Christmas day in the snow in the park by the river. It has the swimming pool and you are a short drive from Odds Farm park. I also agree about the schools around Marlow/Wycombe, if you are interested in the grammar system you are in the perfect spot.
Cookham is also very nice but it doesn't have the 'centre' that the other three places you mentioned do. I have friends there with a young family who are very happy. Bourne End is another nice village on the river just along from Marlow. Might also be worth a look. Good luck!

This is the most complicated of areas for schooling!

In Windsor, you have the three stage system (first, middle and senior, with senior being single sex). In other parts of Windsor and Maidenhead, it is traditional primary/secondary. Across in Slough, you have grammar and 'comps', as you do in Bucks, with them being honest about non-grammars being upper schools.

There are also many families in the Windsor area who use independent schools. One of the independent girls' schools in the areas is reputed to be turning into one of Gove's free schools, so non-feepaying but otherwise all the trappings of independent.

If you are moving to the area, you need to take a long-term view. Do you have boys or girls? Are they grammar potential? What are your views on single sex? Is independent an option?

Cookham has two centres - one with mainly restaurants and the other with a range of shops. It doesn't have the commercial shops that Marlow has but it also doesn't have the traffic that Marlow has.

Maidenhead has a mix of primary and infant/juniors which can be confusing especially if you send your dcs to infants thinking they will go to the associated juniors and find you actually have to reapply.

So did I, PandaSam ! (It would have been Marlow, obv)

You are all lovely and thank you so much for your comments. I haven't checked for a good few days as life has been hectic.... we missed out on 3 rented properties in Marlow this week and have now basically given up trying to rent anywhere there. Seems there is huge demand for not much supply. I am going to see a house in Windsor tomo so am hopeful about that.

Interesting to hear that the schools in Windsor changing into single sex as they get older. As the mother of 2 boys I expect that is probably a good thing! We haven't looked at Wokingham yet, but that sounds like an option too. I don't think we can afford private school ever so will be starting on the quite depressing path of 'fighting' for school places. Not something I relish at all. It is very hard moving house anyway, without having to worry about where to live for schooling. I am sure I am not the only one who thinks that.

Skinandblister - do you think the 3 school system is better than the 2 school system? What do you think are the advantages/disadvantages? What happens if you start off in Windsor and then decide to apply for Grammar school in Wycombe (can you even do this without living in the area?) Would be very grateful to hear your thoughts.

Thank you all. Will report back tomorrow!

As you have two boys maybe Widsor would be a good call. Windsor Boys School is excellent.

If you go for Windsor your DC's would go to your local first school then transfer to your local middle school at the end of Y4. they will then have the opportunity to apply for grammar schools in Y6 if you are in a relevant catchment. TBH though, for boys, WBS is just as good- more of an issue for girls.

It's the Brigidine which might become a Free school and likely to remain all girls.

I love Windsor but I'm from Oxford so I'm habituated to tourists. If you can't handle tourists but are in with the Boden set Marlow is your place. If you can't handle the Boden set you will learn to love Maidenhead- it has it's own individual charms. Henley is for old people and Cookham I have yet to work out.

Have you looked at Bourne End?? Cheaper houses, decent schools (Claytons is great). Not so 'pretty' but a stones throw from pretty when you want it!

I live in Cookham and absolutely love it. We used to live in Maidenhead but moved here a couple of years ago after looking at Marlow and the surrounding area. Main reason for the catchment area of the grammar schools (a wise move as my son has just passed the 11+). We actually preferred Cookham over Marlow which is quite built up in places. Depends what you want. We quite like the semi rural location of Cookham combined with easy access to the bigger towns.

I agree with your comments about the town centre in Maidenhead, but the river area is lovely (I was brought up in Maidenhead). Cook ham is great though - nice shops, lovely restaurants and pubs and a good community. We love it. The train station runs trains to Marlow and London too (both my husband and I use the London service). We are a short walk from Cookham Dean which is a beautiful village (Cookham Dean featured in The Witches). Lots of famous residents in Cookham, too

Windsor boys is good. The equivalent girls school is dire. The good parts of Windsor are expensive. Maidenhead is definitely cheaper but ssecondary schools not so good. If you live north of the A4 in Maidenhead or in Cookham you are in catchment for Sir William Borlase grammar in Marlow.

Bourne End gives you SWB and John Hampden, Wooburn is in catchment for Royal Grammar.

You would only get into a grammar from Windsor if it is undersubscribed. Some years not everyone who passes the 11+ gets into grammar.

Interesting! Am just going to make my husband sit down and read all the information from everyone. Thank you. We actually put a deposit on a house in Windsor this morning having given up on Marlow (nothing available and too much gazumping!) So Windsor it is - short or long term we will decide later. Hoorah for no more 4 hours of commuting a day. Thank you all.
x

Congratulations! If you want to move into grammar school catchment at some point Bucks CC have a catchment area postcode checker

hope you are faring better than we did in Windsor. We rented a lovely house only to find that we just couldnt bear the flight situation. Planes landing at 4.30am to midnight when the wind was in the wrong direction sounded like they were landing on my back garden and every minute. We had a lovely garden and never ever sat in it. Apparently some get used to it--we never did and we were bang on the flightpath. Moved back to Twickenham within 7 months

we are hoping to move to a town called twyford. dont know it very well but schools seem to be very good and good trainline with easy access to reading henley and maidenhead. any thoughts from anyone who knows area better than me?

Windsor is a good choice OP although there is no grammar school system if that is an issue. I find Marlow slightly snooty but that it just my experience.
Maidenhead town centre really is as bad as that which is slightly incongruous with the town itself as there are some really lovely areas and good schools. You would need a car to get to Winsdor or High Wycombe for shopping.