Moving to Dorset...Wimborne or Blandford...or somewhere else???

[Zippyette]

Hey all

I think some mums posted a few years ago about this area but it would be good to hear your views now!

I am moving down to the area end of September and am stuck as to whether to focus on looking in Blandford or Wimborne for a place to rent. We are moving from SW London so it's going to be an adventure! I'm so used to walking everywhere...I guess most people drive...so I assume we'll need to get a second car? Do most mums drive to groups/coffee mornings?

My husband will be working in both Wimborne and Yeovil and I am thinking when I look for work in the new year (LO only 6 months) it will probably be in Poole/Bournemouth, so we need somewhere that is quite convenient for those areas, hence the two suggested.

It's really hard to pick between the two, I think we will get more for our money in Blandford but like the community feel of Wimborne...but those of you that live in Blandford may have something to say about that!!! Waiting to hear from you with your suggestions/thoughts!
Thanks
Lisa

I'm in Dorset, not in Wimborne or Blandford but I prefer Wimborne.

I definitely agree about the community in Wimborne and I think location wise it is probably a bit better.

Personally if go for Wimborne over Blandford, for ease of transport connections.

And yes you would need to drive. Public transport is a lot better then it used to be around here but still not great!

I am in Bournemouth. I would probably say Wimborne to be honest from what friends living in those areas say.

I'm not mad keen on Blandford.
Wimborne, Sherborne, Shaftesbury & surrounding villages are lovely.

Wimborne but yes you will need a car - not necessarily for getting to the shops if you're hapoy to do your shopping in Wimborne or for the toddler groups , doctor etc but for getting to friends houses generally and if you want to go further afield.

One of the MNetters who you probably saw on the old threads did move to Blandford for a bit but didn't stay for long.

If you want to live in a town then I would say Wimborne. If you are happy in a village then there are some lovely villages between Wimborne and blandford and surrounding blandford. I drive pretty much everywhere as live in a village and there isn't much public transport. Another town to maybe consider would be Dorchester?

Child Oakeford is lovely, but you would need to drive.

I don't live there but do visit as BIL/SIL live in Blanford (no choice as they are on the army base there). I'd say there is more to Wimbourne, so it might make the transition from London life a bit easier.

You will find lots of other ex-Londoners in Wimborne and surrounding areas. It's made up half of people who all went to school together and the other half who have moved down. The ones who have been here forever are very welcoming so you shouldn't have a problem fitting in.

hi ! I'm in a tiny village between Dorchester and Blandford... you do get more home for your money in the villages - but they can be extremely quiet - so if you would find this quite isolating with a little one - you may be better off in a town . You deffo need a car of your own - and wellies !!!! all routes to anywhere get pretty crowded in the summer - so this can make travelling longer distances a bit of a pain - so check your husbands route before you sign a contract - make sure he has several options to avoid the chaos ! but its a beautiful county to live in ! I've been here 16years ! hope you too will be happy here !!!!! :-)

Thanks for all your messages, they have been very useful! I grew up on the edge of Dartmoor so already have the wellies! It's been a while though and I've never lived in a village!
Does anyone have recommendations for groups and activities to do with the LO?
Thanks

I'm intrigued where the wookies wife lives!

Oh no - you have sussed me - I'm that mad woman from down the road !! The one with wild unkept hair who grunts not speaks !! Lol !!! Who's far too tall and smokes cigars !! Lol !!!
Not really ! Well almost not really - the not speaking bit is true ! But I can't help that !! Hope it will come back soon - but if you were to listen into my speech therapy sessions then you really would think I was some kind of wookie !!!
Here's a link to help you figure out where I am !
www.houzz.com/pro/oneplan/oneplan

Another vote for Wimborne for many reasons

Your secret is still safe as the link don't work although you did sound like you were describing me until you got to the cigars part!

Didn't work! Not don't work!!! The dorset accent is coming through in my typing!

tee hee !! no one can accuse me of having an accent !! lol !!

Hi I know this thread is two years old but I wondered if anyone could give me some advice? We are looking to relocate from Hertfordshire to the Wimborne area and wondered if anyone could let me know the current nice/not so nice parts. Good schools (I have a 6yr old, 4yr old 5month old). What is the town like (I have only been once many years ago). My husband will be away in London 4 days a week so we will spend a lot of time on our own, is there much to do, family friendly?
Thank you in advance for any information, I won't have any family around so just want to get a feel for what the area is like.
Thank you

St James First School in Gaunt's Common is very good if you don't mind out in the sticks a bit, the Head is really lovely. The only dodgy bit is by the tip, the rest is fine. Various toddler groups etc around, Honeybrook Farm, Moors Valley, Avon Heath, soft play in Wyevale Garden centre, beaches in Poole etc, the New Forest, crabbing at Mudeford.

Town is nice, it has a Waitrose now which makes life easy. The Tivoli shows films (later than big cinemas) plus had a Theatre. Places for coffe etc. Lots of pubs and restaurants.

I like wimbourne. Its too pricey for us but seems a lovely community and we have family in a nearby village.

Thank you so much for your comments. I have been offers a few schools and wondered if anyone could give me their thoughts on the schools. Cranborne first, Hillside First, Pamphill first, St Catherine's, Henbury, St James, Wimborne first, Wimborne St Giles, Witchhampton. Feeling great full that I have a good choice but any thoughts or opinions would be amazing, thank you in advance ??

Oh what a lovely selection of schools!! What will be shortest communte? Can you visit some? We nearly moved between wimbourne St Giles and cranbourne but didn't get as far as looking at schools. Certainly the odd thing Ive been to at Cranbourne has been lovely.

Witchampton lovely but too small for my liking I decided on balance, depends what you're looking for. I didn't want mixed classes which it was at the time, not sure if still the same.

St Catherine's Head is off at the moment and some strange mutterings going on. It is very very pushy academically so depends what you're looking for and is a Primary rather than a First school. Children come from some distance on coaches. Was having a conversation today with a friend whose nieces are there and we were saying how glad we were we didn't send ours there as not our cup of tea at all but that is probably just us.

Cranborne and Wimborne St Giles I've haven't heard much about either but both pretty out in the sticks and I personally wouldn't fancy doing that in the winter.

Wimborne First is fine I think. It wasn't the most popular choice in the past but people seem pretty happy with it.

Pamphill First, my info out of date by a good few years, it was a no for me when I was looking as heard the Head at that time was all about ticking boxes for Ofsted. But might be very different now.

No idea about Hillside or Henbury.

St James would without doubt be my first choice, Head is great.