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Somerset/Devon/Dorset

23 replies

Rollmops · 15/09/2010 22:01

Wide pickin's I know, but what are nice areas/villages in those parts? Need to find something lovely in about 20 mile radius from Wellington, wondering if any here could offer suggestions? Also, what are the no-no's.
Thanks in advance!

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CupcakesHay · 16/09/2010 15:38

Rubbish on radius... so this might be too far for you - but my parents live in Kingsbridge in Devon and it's lovely - fab schools and not too far from coast, countryside, farms and big shops are 30mins drive away.

dreamingofsun · 16/09/2010 16:37

i heard that somerset was cheaper than dorset

Rollmops · 17/09/2010 11:07

Thanks for the replies; Kingsbridge seems absolutely lovely, but too far.
Hoping for SW locals to pop in with pointers.
So far I've heard that Yeovil and Bridgewater are no-go areas.Shock
Looking for a village or rural location, not towns anyway...

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dreamingofsun · 17/09/2010 11:34

we've been to the area north of honiton a few times on holiday and thats very nice - pretty and lots of villages - though we obviously gauge on holiday criteria not living there permanantly

redshoes · 18/09/2010 10:23

Bumping this as also thinking of that area. We had a long weekend in churchstanton a couple of months ago and it was idyllic...

horsefly · 18/09/2010 20:35

I remember South Petherton being a nice village, and there's Crewkerne and Ilminster.

nevergoogle · 18/09/2010 20:41

i started a thread like this recently. people said good things about taunton and bath.

bloomen · 20/09/2010 08:28

I know that part of the world inside out.

If you're going to Wellington regularly then it would be better look on the south side of the M5.

On the north side traffic problems can get dire with the A30 and A303 plus the area is largely a soulless wasteland compared to the bits closer to Devon.

Taunton's a bit of a non-entity of a place, but fundamentally fine. It's alot bigger and busier than first impressions might suggest and the traffic's appalling.

Bridgwater is unquestionably a dump as is Yeovil and they're both a long way from Wellington (an hour in Yeovil's case)

Tiverton's a solid town but somewhat bland and down at heal. It is one of the cheapest spots to live in and is close to many nice areas.

Bampton is about 10 miles from Wellington. It has some beautiful Georgian houses but is completely and utterly lifeless and slightly sinister with it.

Milverton is about 4 miles from Wellington and has some beautiful houses too, but it's also dead and filled with some strange characters.

Williton and Watchet are both within the distance for Wellington. Watchet's cheap and on the up but it does have a rough mini Bridgwater edge to it. Williton's pretty much a junction on the way to Taunton and not much else.

Cotford St Luke is a 'new village' between Wiveliscombe and Taunton. It's been built with some very nice houses but I'm not sure if there's much of a community, maybe not even a shop.

Bishop's Lydeard is a more vibrant place just beyond Cotford St Luke. It backs up onto the Quantock hills which are stunning in places.

Wiveliscombe has a nice feel with plenty of interesting shops and it's only 6 or so miles from Wellington.

My vote would be Dulverton. It's beautiful, a real community with plenty of shops and some brilliant eateries but only about 2000 people. It's on the edge of Exmoor with masses of lovely spots nearby. It's about 16 miles from Wellington. The coast is 20 miles away to the north and it's 25 miles from Taunton, Exeter and Barnstaple.

Goldberry · 20/09/2010 08:31

Watching with interest, as I'm also interested in moving to that area.

bloomen · 20/09/2010 09:15

Whoops, that should've read North of the M5. The Taunton part around J25 is the problem for traffic. If you're sneaking over through J26 or J27 then life would be easier.

dejavuaswell · 20/09/2010 11:20

You will to beware of traffic noise from the motorway and some places will be badly impacted by the new nuclear reactors due to build along the coast from Bridgewater.

PanicMode · 20/09/2010 19:33

Yeovil isn't called Yeo-vile for nothing!

My parents are very close to South Petherton which is a great village - thriving community and lots of 'incomers' so not completely geriatric Wink. East Coker is very sought after - but it is close to Yeovil and I'm not sure how close to Wellington it is.

Crewekerne is ok - now has a Waitrose (woo hoo) and of course there is the station to London (Waterloo)....avoid Chard.

Villages near the Quantocks are lovely - Dunster is a great place, but I haven't got the map in front of me so can't visualise how far the radius from Wellington is.

Dorset is gorgeous but expensive.....

Rollmops · 20/09/2010 21:20

Thank you everyone and bloomen, thank you for taking the time for such fab post!
Keep them coming, please, all advice is gratefully received!

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katy1katy · 22/09/2010 12:16

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MrsMagnolia · 23/09/2010 14:38

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Rollmops · 27/09/2010 09:38

Thank you, really appreciate your advice!
Our main requirements are a laaarge established garden and/or large orchard, house with min 4 beds or potential to extend.
Ideal location would be on the edge of a village that has some amenities and not too far from Wellington.
Would also consider a farm or smallholding in rural area, or a georgian house with large garden in a nice town.
Tres flexible and won't exclude anything as so often you must just go and see the property instead of sticking a rigid set of expectations. Many gems out there.
What are the schools in the area like, private and state as well?
As always, all replies are greatly appreciated.

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PanicMode · 27/09/2010 12:54

do you need prep or secondary age school info rollmops? I don't know about state, but have a bit more knowledge of the indys. (sorry for poor typing - doing it one handed as baby asleep in other arm!)

Rollmops · 27/09/2010 13:26

Our boys are starting school 2012 Smile, so wee things, still; however, would be good to know which ones have a good rep from preschool to sixth form.
Any info on indies in the area is most appreciated.

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DELHI · 28/09/2010 13:47

I live near Ilminster, which is a lovely little town, nice independent shops and very friendly people. Primary schools are average, my DCs now go to Holyrood comp, sorry academy, in Chard which is ofsted 'outstanding' and is great. We have found good mix of incomers and born 'n' breds. I like it here. Taunton is a bit dull for shopping, but Bristol and Exeter are quite good, we are an hour from either. Yeovil is dire, Chard's a bit rough but having lived a Big City, they are tame by comparison.Lovely walking on Exmoor, easy to get to the coast at Lyme and Jurrassic coast.

katy1katy · 29/09/2010 13:52

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PanicMode · 29/09/2010 19:36

Yup, Wellington is excellent (my grandfather went there!), my brother went to Hazlegrove house, but that was so long ago that it's now co-ed - and it's probably going to be too far from you anyway as it's in Sparkford. Kings Bruton never had a very good rep - that may have changed now.....

Edgarley Hall, Millfield prep is obviously very good, as is Wells Cathedral School, and there are several around Taunton, but I don't know about their repuations....

I'm sure that people actually in the system can give you better current information, but apart from one around Yeovil - can't remember its name off the top of my head, most of the private schools are good around there...

Best of luck - am green, I'd love to be able to move back to the West Country.

Rollmops · 30/09/2010 21:03

Thank you so much! Have heard only good things about Wellington School as well and it is on top of the list. Would it be difficult to get a place i.e. is it over subscribed by any chance?

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PanicMode · 30/09/2010 21:06

No idea - best thing to do is phone the admissions secretary and find out!

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