is there a town equivalent to Cilfton Village in Bristol but without the rest of Bristol attached?!

[pinkredandpurple]

I love Clifton village: lots of green spaces around, a view over the river, warm atmosphere, period architecture, lots of delis, cafes and small shops. BUT the connection to main Bristol station not great, having to take connecting train or PITA buses, so travelling to London or anywhere is a bother and adds a lot to the trip what with connections etc.
I wish there was a similar place, well ok, minus the views maybe, without the rough part of Bristol attached and much more compact with easy access to a rail station, or with a quick bus to a station with many connections.
It has to be ideally SW or SE and not too far from London (i.e. not as far as the coastal towns). But if it's somewhere towards Derbyshire it's still doable. I don't like Norfolk, sorry, too flat a landscape.
Property prices not too crazy, sort of like Bristol prices would be ok.That is, you can get a good large 2/3 bed flat (or house!) for under 300K. But if lower, than even better!
It doesn't have to have lots of theatres/shops /chains/big megastores on the doorstep. But must have a good few cafes, I've been a Londoner so far!
I would like a simpler, more compact life, but not ready for rural/village, I don't like driving and not having people around.
Is this a silly utopia?
Any ideas, please?

FYI trains from Horsham go through Clapham too.
I'm quite new to the area so not many friends yet, but a couple, including a very lovely mumsnetter. :)

Hello pink! I think if you want to be handy for the station, living centrally is a good idea. I'm not sure how's best to describe where's good to look as I am not that familiar with all the street names IYKWIM.... The streets surrounding a park called Elizabeth Gardens are very nice and very, very close to the station, 5 mins walk! In fact I went to view a terraced 2 bed on South Street the other week with my sister. It was £165,000 but needed some cosmetic work. South street and the roads in that immediate area are quiet for being so central...
It can be tricky to find property that isn't directly on the ring road....

Lula, do they? good. what are the shops like in Horsham? any better/worse areas to look at on rightmove? I can't go there anytime soon but will nose on the rightmove. If you've been to salsbury, how does ot compare?
thank lola. My budget is around 280K for 3 bed, or 2 bed 2 recep. so what are best areas for that? I also wonder what the prices are doing there generally, going up or down? I was wondering during my monday visit , why are people in Sals so cheery? it's nice!

Pink maybe you bumped into meeeee!!! I'm cheery! That's a good budget, and should get you something nice!
So, do you want to be within walking distance of the station and if so how far are you prepared to walk?

Sorry haven't got a clue if house prices are going up or down in Salisbury...

haha, were you shopping in the afternoon? so why are there so many teenagers there on monday - is there a college or is it normal for kids from the surrounds to hang out there? I s'pose school hasn't properly started yet.
So have you always lived there or it's new to you, and making you happy?!
I walk fast, so say 15 min or less walk to station. Or a 5-10min bus which is very regular if it's out of the centre. I do like a bit of greenery ideally in the street where i live. Overlooking a green or a little park is even better! but not by the river.

There are always a lot of foreign exchange students in town in the summer months as Lots and lots come to visit the cathedral! Lots of oldies on coach trips come too! It is very popular with tourists, though they aren't ever a bother, unless you come across a school trip when you are trying to get passed with a pram! Oh and yes it's the summer holidays too. All the kids I have come across in town seem to be good kids! Never really thought about it much but yes, it is a friendly place!

I sent you a PN Pink!

PN = PM!!!

I'm reading this thread with interest as we want to escape from London, but I'm scared I'll hate being too far. There are also so many places to consider. So anyway, in a totally different direction, how about Broadstairs? Look at this house, you could rent out the flat too.And you can see the sea!
Quick routes into London, interesting shops, near to other towns.

hope this link works!

Shops in Horsham are good enough for high street clothes stuff (Monsoon/Topshop/FatFace etc), good for food (Waitrose/Sainsburys/delis/Market/fishmongers etc). For more extensive shopping you can go to Crawley, which is 15 mins on the train.
We looked for property according to which school we wanted and proximity to the station. We got a 4 bed close to the station for your budget. I'd just generally search in Horsham, it's all nice!
Sorry I've not been to Salisbury.

lola, you promised the NT info! Btw is there a good gym/gyms/fitness classes in Sailsbury?
Lulabella, I want to look at Hrosham but won't have a chance untill end of Sept now for any travelling. Is the train good (modern, nor over crowded?) as that's one thing so far that makes me question Salisbury.
sawseesaw, there must be a cathc f you can by 7 bed house for 250K! . Apart from that not so keen livig right by the sea in winter. Hastings is amazingly cheap but with good reason so it's prob similar!?

'a catch'
I'm still on course to see Leamington and Market H, thanks for all the info on these, I haven't forgotten.

Pink here: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stourhead

and here: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/mottisfont/

And here: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/kingston-lacy/
They are all beautiful!!! Sorry for being a bit slow in getting back to you!

Pink, I'm probably not the best person to ask about gym classes (I've never been to a gym!!!) but five rivers leaders centre where I take my dd to swim class has loads going on and always looks packed!!!!

thanks lola! don't apologise, you ve given me lots of info as it is, and there is no real rush - I'm just a little excited about Sals for some reason . I think it's because I liked the people there so it feels quite welcoming, but i still have to like properties too once I have time to look that is. Stourhead is very famous, glad to know it's nearby, the other two I've never heard of, appreciate the links!

Trains into town from Horsham are nice, clean ones with air con. My husband commutes into town and gets a seat both ways. I hate travelling but don't mind the trains.
We have a fab leisure centre called Pavillions in the Park which we have a family membership for at £70pm. For that my husband and I have gym access, including jacuzzi, steam and sauna. Lots of classes, unlimited swimming for the whole family (we have indoor and outdoor pools/slide/ competition pool) and indoor soft play for the kids.