Anyone live near Furze Plat, Berks?

[bluecheesefiend]

Hello,

Am pregnant again which we're thrilled about, but it basically means we need another room so we've completely priced ourselves out of London!

We have some friends near Maidenhead, the area looks nice so we started browsing findaproperty.com and came across a beautiful place near Furze Platt station.

Does anyone live in this area? Can you tell me much about it - community, activities for mums, getting about - anything really. I'm looking on local websites but they never give a full picture so I'd rather have some honest real-people feedback.

Oh and we're viewing the house on Saturday - most exciting!

Thanks!!

It's a great place for families - loads of stuff to do. There are also lots of very good schools, but if that is important to you you need to be careful - Furze Platt itself has a very well liked (but big) infant and junior school, but depending exactly where you are will determine which catchment you fall into.

In terms of activities there are loads of activities for young children: toddler groups, art clubs, toy library, ballet, music, football, rugby, parks, the river, soft play, the list is endless.

I would say though you will have access to far more if you have a car. Maidenhead town centre is a bit....well lets say...'sparse', but it has all your necessary stuff. There are loads of other nicer towns a short drive away.

thats really great to know - thanks.

I re-posted my question in "_chat" as I hadn't had a response and a couple of people think Furze Platt can be a bit rough - what do you think? Was your feedback about Maidenhead in general or Furze Platt specifically?

The house that we're looking at is on Courthouse Road, if that means anything to you!

I know it really well!

DH grew up there - MIL lives in Furze Platt (near to the school) and so did most of his friends and family. We're there all the time (we live in High Wycombe) and I'd swap in a shot!

Courthouse road is very long and quite a big road and some parts are considered 'better' than others!

Personally I think Maidenhead is perculiar in that 'on paper' it should be really upmarket...it's on the Thames, there are some spectacular houses - it's just that the town centre (shopping bit) is dreadful and is surrounded by some nasty estates. But that's like most reasonable sized towns. My FIL lives on the Thames (Boulters lock) and it's stunning. Friends live in Pinkney's Green and it's beautiful and the Cliveden Estate is nearby. It's just that the actual centre is not what you'd expect ... it is run down and feels quite dowdy. My MIL shops in the new Eden centre in HIgh Wycombe or drives over to Reading or Windsor.

But take this all into consideration and for the Home COunties it's actually affordable...it's not Weybridge and prices will reflect this. Plus it's on the edge of Bucks...so should you feel you want your DC to go in for the 11+ they can and if they pass can get a place at grammar!

Go see it - and take a mooch into the town too - get a feel for the place. Good luck!

There are different bits of Furze Platt and as jeanjeanie says Courthouse Road is a very long road. Some of Furze Platt can be a bit rough, I don't know Courthouse road all that well, but a acquaintance that lives in the middle always wishes she was up the A4 end.

I agree with jeanjeanie, Maidenhead is very mixed up with pockets of lovely neighbourhood, a couple of less desirable pockets and others inbetween. I would say the key to living here is to have access to a car and then you will not be stuck for friends and things to do, although you can easily walk to a couple of popular playgrounds and the school.

great - thanks for your feedback, its SO helpful - we are looking at three properties tomorrow so I'm looking forward to checking out the area.

Hi, if anyone's still looking at this, the properties we saw weren't any good for us but the area looked nice so we'll definitely continue looking. Thanks again.

Great news! I'm off there later today - I like the area and I've move there !
Forgot to say - it's also VERY lovely around the Boyn Hill Rd area (nr All Saints Church) - lots of lovely properties and is near(ish) to the main station. Maybe worth a look if you want to extend your search area.
Keep us posted