Burghfield Common-Reading

[Broph]

Hey all.
We are thinking of moving to Burghfield Common in Reading, need bigger house now little un is trying to crawl all over the place. Does any one live/ know this area at all??? I live in Reading so know the town but not around that well. Just wondered about baby groups, primary schools and also nice places to walk in Burghfield. Ta

Hi Broph,
I too live in Reading.

I know Burghfield a little bit - it has baby stuff going on, a swimming pool and the schools are supposed to be good. The drawback in my view is that it's a bit of a dormitory village with no real centre - it is very much an extension of Reading just a bit quieter.

Have you looked at Mortimer or Pangbourne?

ditto girlafraid#s comments. there is probably a lot going on but no real heart anda bit dull imho. mortimer is much the same. pangbourne is fab but significantly pricier than mortimer or burghfield. how far out are you willing to go?

Pangbourne and Whitchurch are both nice, with friendly toddler groups etc.

Agree Burghfield isn't really a village so much as a suburb of Reading.

I live in Burghfield Common, it is nice - friendly toddler group, new childrens centre just opened with stay and play and another 'newbies' group for people new to the area or with new babies. My daughter has just started at mrs williams pre-school which she loves and the infant and junior school are good (I had an interview a few years ago at the infant school and would have loved to work there... shame they gave the teaching job to a man!) - We have been here almost a year and very happy!

Does it still have the nuclear weapons research lab there??

Burghfield is definitely separate from Reading and I do know some people who like living there, finding it pleasantly 'villagey' after living in Reading.

I used to live in Newbury and worked in that area. Personally I would not move to the area - there's a massive traveler site near there and it takes a lot of police time up, also there are massive protests held there a few times a year- causing traffic problems and they can get quite nasty, The service I recieved in shops, cafe's, gyms were all appalling and I really would avoid at all costs.

But this is only my experience- and I was commuting so probably didn't look at everything in the most positive way

Hi,

I am also thinking of moving to Burghfield Common for similar reasons to Broph, more house for our money, in addition we like the surrounding countryside and the fact that all schools infant through secondary are in walking distance.

We have two sons (3 and 1) and want them to have countryside available to them and a chilled out, unpretentious environment to grow up in. Burghfield Common seemed to fit the bill quite nicely.

Broph, did you move to Burghfield Common in the end, if so how do you like it?

I'm a bit concerned about MrsVidic's comments above. Where is the massive traveller site and has it caused problems for residents?

I would be very grateful to hear further from anyone else that lives in the village as we have put an offer on a property.

Is it a good place to bring up kids? Has anyone put their children through the schools there?

Thanks!

I've just moved to Burghfield Common and it is definitely villagy but with the convenience of Reading near-by. You get a lot more house for your money and i've heard that the schools are good. I've not heard about this traveller site and it's not caused any problems for me! I've had excellent service in all of the shops in the area and have found the residents to be really friendly. All of our neighbours have introduced themselves to us and we're loving the commute to Reading as there is open countryside on the way. An excellent decision to move here!

We have lived here over a year and never seen anything of protests or any problems with the travelers - is a fixed site!

Hi. We are thinking of moving to Burghfield Common. Don't know the area very well but have found the 'perfect' house. Can anybody tell me about the area and what it's like to live there please?
Thank you.

I live here - it's ideal for us but it very much depends what you want.
It's much larger than a village - 2 primary schools, large secondary, shops, doctors, parks etc. Schools are good (st Mary's has historically been seen as 'better' as its at the poster end, but I think both schools are equal).
Public transport to reading isn't great, and you'll definitely encounter traffic in rush hour.
Hope that helps!

Ohhgreat.
Thank you so much. I had read so many different views (from years ago) admittedly about traveller sites etc. Your review has put my mind at rest. Thanks again.