marlow area - where to move to?

[flossygirl]

needing to move from wales to marlow area this year. Its a new area to us and so need help to choose specific town/village. I am basing this decision on schools, countryside, house size, local facilities etc. Which town/village has best primary schools: Marlow, Bourne End, Lane End, Frieth, Cookham? Any suggestions on area to make choice easier welcome!

Hi flossygirl,

We're moving your thread to Primary Schools because we think you'll get a better response there.

Bourne End is lovely, as is Marlow, and Flackwell Heath. I don't know a lot about Cookham, although it is a 'nice' area, and know nothing about Frieth. Lane End is not like the other areas you have mentioned tbh.
Schooling is very good, especially in BE and FH. Schools are oversubscribed here though so that may be an issue if you are looking at in year admissions in KS1. If your children are of pre-school age I would suggest trying to buy as close as possible to whichever school you prefer. With regards to secondary we have the 11+ here which opens up a whole other debate, but generally the Upper Schools are very good.
Housing is a bit pricey though - 3 bed semis generally start from 300k, and to be honest there are not many at that price.
Marlow has a fab high street with lots of shops, restaurants, cafes. BE and FH have a good selection of shops and a nice village feel to both. Marlow and BE have the river running alongside which allows for nice walks :-)
Marlow and Bourne End have train stations although I think you have to change at Maidenhead if you want to go to London. Road networks are good though, we have the M40 a couple of miles up the road and the M4 about 8 miles the other way.
Oh, and about 20-25 mins from Legoland :-)

thanks wizbit93, thats lots of lovely info to look at. It really helps to have local knowledge as would hate to move to "wrong" area. Legoland a plus too!

Marlow is lovely. Schools in Marlow are v popular but Foxes Piece, which many people have avoided for years, is really improving. The CofE schools are good, as is St Peters, and people race about Spinfield but I'm not a fan. Danesfield is a popular choice too if you live out to the west.

I prefer Marlow to any of the other places because you get a good mix of people and things to do, whereas the others are all a bit samey.

Do think ahead to secondary level too as Bucks has a grammar system so you want to be within easy reach of whichever grammar you would prefer (single sex or mixed).

Cookham is on the river too and has direct train services to London plus lots of shops, restaurants, three state primary schools, one prep school, one state nursery and a number of private nurseries. Smaller than Marlow and has a real village feel. Cookham is in catchment for a couple of Bucks grammar schools and on the bus route for some private secondaries. Berks has comprehensive schools so no 11+ but the primaries act as exam centres for the Bucks 11+.

Late, but just in case anyone is in a similar position and clicks on this thread, just wanted to give my tuppence worth!
I have two children at Foxes Piece school and three at Great Marlow School. I cannot fault either of these schools!
Foxes Piece is a nurturing school which really comes through in the children. The recent Ofsted was good and my children are working above national expectations. They are really happy here.
Great Marlow is great (excuse the unintentional pun) at 'streaming' pupils correctly and my eldest has just achieved fantastic GCSE results. My partner and I both attended highly esteemed Grammars, I am not a fan but he is. I would advise anyone moving to the area to go round as many schools as you can then make a decision. I believe I couldn't have made a better choice.
One of my older children 'passed' the 11+ but did not wish to attend a Grammar school. After consideration we agreed for them to attend GMS and they are thriving.
Marlow, Bourne End and Cookham are lovely, Marlow is the most diverse and vibrant. Lane End is a bit hit or miss in my opinion and Frieth is picturesque but just a little too off the beaten track. Having said that I live in Marlow and have lived in Lane End but only spent time in the others! Hope this helps?

Holy Trinity is an excellent school as is Marlow C of E infants. I have heard also that Foxes Piece school is improving a lot.
St Peters has gone down hill a lot, I know that many children have left. Burford in Marlow Bottom I have heard good things about.

miconachdi: what do you think of Lane End? It's only a short drive from diverse High Wycombe, yet I found it to be one of the most narrow-minded and unwelcoming places that I have ever been to. Was I wrong?