Anyone familiar with Grappenhall Heys (outskirts of Stockton Heath/Appleton)?

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Have seen a house I really like here but not sure what it's like to live there. Does it feel quite remote?

Hartford is nice but you pay £££ for the direct London train line. Davenham is far nicer and cheaper- saying that if you have older children hartford is great for them to get about.

Have you looked at Frodsham?

We looked at Hale and Knutsford but were put off by wag-ish-ness (Hale) and High School (Knutsford). Our DDs are only small but it seemed that people take the gamble on their children getting into Atly Grammar. Otherwise, we love Knutsford, it would have been our first choice.

Having said that, DH and I need the motorways for work & family. We moved to
South Warrington last year from Yorkshire and have been really happy here.

We neighbour GH. Great school & playgroups etc for DDs, friendly people, Stockton Heath really convenient. We've only been for meals there in the evening so no idea what the bars and pubs are like but we've really enjoyed some of the restaurants. Our local pub is nice.

Lymm we found to be really over priced. The village centre is lovely but a lot if the houses outside of the centre were ugly, small and £100k more than here. We'd also heard there were problems with over subscribed primaries (are your DC primary age Sue?).

Is Hartford a strong property market? We may, in the future, want to rent out any house we buy. South Warrington appealed to us as the market is quite strong there but not ridiculous like Lymm for example. But Hartford might suit - especially if on direct line to London. South Warrington isn't great for rail links.

Yes, our DC are primary age so schools are a consideration. We were put off Lymm for the saem reason as yourself KellyKettle.

Appleton Thorn primary is an outstanding (ofsted) school & a feeder for Bridgewater.

Lymm High is very good and Grappenhall primaries are feeders for there.

I don't know Hartford really except that it's nice/pretty.

Runcorn is on the line to London I believe. The station is in an ugly place but not too far from South Warrington down the Daresbury Expressway, I've user it a few times.

Is there a MN local for Hartford? How soon do you need to move? Could you browse Rightmove for Hartford for a while to get a feel for it? I imagine the location & good schools would certainly help the rental Market.

We would like to move in the next 6 months ideally. We are more familiar with South Warrington tbh and have visited the schools already so it will be South Warrington unless we find somewhere better.

There just happen to be a few new homes for sale in Hartford at the moment whereas there aren't any new developments in South Warrington - we want a new house or very modern at least.

There's a new development in Hartford which is Lovely (way above our budget) it's advertised by Williams estate agents. It is a very strong Market in Hartford- we didn't want to move there as we couldn't get the house we wanted for our budget (ours was 375 max)
Really good sense of community- lots of toddler things on and v family friendly (I love quite close so if any questions feel free to ask!)

That sounds lovely buggy

Sue there are three developments that I can think of. Swans Reach in Daresbury (though think this might be catchment for Runcorn schools).

In Walton there is one called Walton Locks I think. Nearest primary is probably Stockton Heath primary which I think is on special measures but is a feeder to Bridgewater and local parents quoted in the newspaper in support of school and aghast at special measures.

In Stockton Heath there's a development called The Heath but it's actually Latchford, opposite Morrisons.

The development in Walton has some beautiful show homes.

There are a few new-ish homes around Appleton Thorn and Stretton (opposite Pewterspear which is a lovely conservation area for walks, feeding ducks, kids to play etc.) The Sports Pavillion is also there. Stretton St Matthews school is a good school but CofE.

There's a lovely house on Green Lane towards Cann Lane for £499k. 4 bed detached with a little annex. It's lovely inside & Green Lane is lovely, we often go for walks down there.

Had a scout around Hartford today and enquired about the Hollies development but they're all sold now anyway. Tbh, I wasn't that overkeen on Hartford - I know it has the schools and colleges but it doesn't seem to have the facilities of South Warrington in terms of shops and restaurants.

We're not keen on the Daresbury/Walton area as we'd rather be on the other side of Stockton Heath, closer to the motorway network and not impacted as much by the traffic in Stockton Heath. So mainly the Appleton/Grappenhall/Stretton areas.

I did drive past the house on Green Lane a couple of months back but it's been discounted as it's a bit quirky. We're looking for a largish modern property that needs no work (apart from maybe some superficial decoration) and is standard in every way. I love the houses in the High Warren Close area but they're more than we want to pay and are a bit big for our requirements really.

Just want to say that Grappenhall Heys is a great area, there is a walled-garden nearby and beautiful walks. I am living in GH, and I am loving the area. Very calm and quiet, nice neighbours, safe and close to motorway...

I heard that Grappenhall Heys Primary school is not so good. Know lots of people who have taken their kids.

Traffic in Knutsford is appalling any time that there is a problem on the M6 between jn 20 and about jn16. The A50 was the main road before the motorway, and it's where all the traffic ends up when there's a problem.

Also, Knutsford High - although they say how great they are - is where pupils end up when Alty Grammars say their pupils would be better elsewhere ie when they get chucked out. On a regular basis they're banned from Boots/Booths/Martins (the ctn) for shoplifting.

Loads of great places to eat, mix of housing, but there is aircraft noise from the second runway.

I have heard unpleasant things about the Grappenhall Heys area and especially the school. Maybe best to steer clear.

All unfounded I'm afraid. Gh is a brilliant school and turns out lovely, confident kids. Sad that some people seem to want to publish bad things about it. Go and look for yourself and make up your own mind!

I live locally, my children go to a different school but as far as I know, grappenhall heys school has a good reputation. I've never heard a 'bad' word about it.

The only thing I have heard (from several people) is that the parents can be a bit competitive. They used to say it was 'run like a private school' and parents were expected to contribute more money than in other schools.

I have no idea whether this is true.

Hi, I have heard that there have been issues with teaching of in the middle school years at that school - that was a couple of years ago though. I've been to the school - it was a close contender for us and seems as good i(if not better) than any in the immediate area.

I've got family round Northwich way - Hartford, Barnton, Weaverham etc., which are lovely spots and often get overlooked as they're a bit further into Cheshire but still pretty accessible from the motorway.
Some lovely, lovely houses and vibrant communities round there too.

I've got two children at grappenhall heys school and can't speak highly enough of it. The teachers are fantastic and the children aren't just numbers as I felt they were when I visited other schools in the area. It's a small school and there are always going to be people unhappy with some things- but in mu experience and there are many many like me- I feel they really do try very hard to support children and parents in a very individual and nurturing way. My kids have both flourished since starting at the school and become more confident and are so happy there. What more can I ask for!

WOW - love that people can comment on here when;

1. They do not live in Grappenhall Heys.
2. Their children do not attend the school.

I have lived here for 10 years and I am also in my tenth year at the school, both my children (one has now gone up to high school) have been here since they were 3 years of age, in short Fantastic Community School, with Fantastic Head Teacher and Staff who nurture, develop, build confidence and treat them all as individuals, and more importantly make it fun to learn, I have a very happy boy there who has never once said he does not want to go to school, 100% attendance in fact. Oh and my house is a gorgeous too, and doesn't look like prison block ??