Places to live outside London

[LesleyA]

Hi please can I have some suggestions as to the best places to live outside of London for families. Ideally somewhere scenic however not too rural that one feels isolated. So a lovely villagey feel but still stimulating for the kids. I've been told Godalming is nice? Somewhere with great state schools for kids too. Really appreciate some input. Tx

Sorry I should have put this as a different topic.Still learning

I don't know about state schools there but Sevenoaks is lovely with a village feel. There are excellent grammar schools in tonbridge/Tunbridge Wells but both are towns.

Have you looked at Hertfordshire? Hitchin for instance.

I know people who have moved to Harpenden and St Albans for the state schools and the short commute. Harpenden in particular is thought to have a village-y feel. The downside is that both are expensive.

I know quite a few people who live in Harpenden. It’s lovely but seems to have quite a bad shortage of school places (from what I’m told).

Berkhamsted, Herts. 90% of all house purchases are apparently people moving out of London. Lots of restaurants, pubs, sports facilities, all primary schools are rated good or outstanding, the senior school is rated good and I would imagine will be outstanding at the next inspection (it suffered from being in a three tier system for many year with a massive lack of funding, now an 11+ school, lots of investment and a new head. More kids to Oxbridge than the terribly expensive independent school in the town).

Whilst outside of catchment, many children go to the Bucks grammars from the town - Chesham High, Aylesbury High and Aylesbury Grammar, although of course there's no guarantee of that in future years.

30 minutes on the train into Euston. Has a great vibe for people with kids of all ages. Small market town with Ashridge Estate (National Trust parkland) right on your doorstep. Definitely worth a look.

We live in East Herts, the commute is good on the Stansted Express. Choice of a town location like Bishops Stortford (loads of activities and amenities) or village locations in surrounding locations with access to stations at Harlow Town, Sawbridgeworth (about half an hour to Liverpool St) or further out to more rural villages and stops.

Great local schools, loads to do at weekends and cheaper than South of London

Winchester/Alresford

Hitchin is lovely, and I'm selling my house if you're after a 3 bed