Tell me about Faversham

[Emmie412]

We are thinking of relocating our family of four from SE London to Faversham at some point this year. On paper, Faversham looks good - good schools, good links to London/to the coast for seaside trips and housing still reasonable.

Is there much going on for kids? (Where we live there has been lots of savings so a bit dull now) Is it easy to make friends? Are the schools oversubscribed or would our DD going to year 1 now slot in fairly easily slot into a good (non religious) school, e.g. Ethelbert Primary School? (I know I have to call in any case but just wondered if anyone knew)

Finally, how international is it?

Many thanks!

To be honest I wouldn't really recommend it - although it's not exactly bad, it's definitely not great. In the daytime it is rather nice, lots of independent shops and cafes, nice restaurants and overall just a pleasant but sleepy market town. I don't recommend it at night as it can get quite rough, including a few stabbings. Probably down to the fact that there are some council estates around Faversham which are very dodgy.
Schools are a mixed bag. At primary level there are some excellent schools. Luddenham is amazing and Selling also very good. Hernhill quite good too. At secondary level there is Queen Elizabeth's Grammar which is fantastic, children come from quite far out just to go there as it's so good. If you miss out on those primaries or your child doesn't want to go to a grammar, then the other schools aren't great at all (to put it lightly). I'm afraid Kent has a tendency of having amazing grammar schools and extremely bad comprehensives - very little in between except for schools like Archbishops and St Anselms in Canterbury which are religious non grammars but are still good. I don't think you will make the catchment area in Faversham though.
East Kent has some very nice countryside and I would be very happy bringing up my children there, but for teenagers there is close to nothing. Of course you can get the train into London, but when your children get to an age where they want to start going out, seeing concerts or shows and things like that, I don't think Faversham is the place to be.
And it's absolutely not international. From my experience, sadly much of East Kent is not at all multicultural/open to multiculturalism and I don't see that changing any time soon.
Well I hope I haven't been too negative, maybe Canterbury could be a possibility? Or take another look around Faversham, as I am only writing from my experience in the area which was negative. Maybe I was just unlucky. I'm sure there are others who say it's lovely. Good luck on your search!

Selling and Dunkirk are nice, 'Faversham villages' but within easy reach of C'bury. Also Boughton.

F'sham itself is quiet sleepy and has a rough end (you'll figure it out if you go and look thoroughly) I can't emphasise enough how much Abbey school is to be avoided. I find it quite a strange place TBH. Sorry for another non-glowing post.

If you want East Kent up-and-coming with house prices still reasonable, maybe look at Herne Bay. Or Ramsgate if being out on a limb is no problem.

bump on Faversham

Ooh, I've had three sets of friends move there over the last few years (one lot moved first and then the others went to visit and liked it so much they moved too). My friends' experiences have been overwhelmingly positive, all found lovely good value houses, those with children are v happy with their primary schools, have met lots of likeminded people etc although I'm not sure how international it is and it's quite a long and expensive commute to do every single day. On the whole I would say it is a little gem of a town with a good community spirit, independent shops, near lovely countryside and beaches.

Faversham is fab. Lots of good primary schools in town as well as surrounding villages. Good grammar school - less good comp (as is common in Kent sadly as PP said). Having lived in both Faversham and Canterbury I'd say Faversham has a much better sense of community, there's always loads going on in terms of kids stuff, craft markets... having a big indoor and outside pool in the centre of town is a big plus, as is the big rec with a fab kids park. Lovely cinema in town too which is run as a charity which is only a fiver a ticket. Lots of good nurseries open commuting hours too (0730-1830 generally)... I'm local but have many friends who have moved from London and love it. Commute is fine and trains go to London Bridge / Cannon St, Victoria and St Pancras... In terms of it being rough, there are obviously a couple of less salubrious estates but I have no qualms about walking home on my own from the last train home through town, or when the pubs shut. Lots of easy countryside walks, 10 minute drive to the seaside at Seasalter. 15 minute train / car to Canterbury if you want more shops. We are very happy here.

Interesting, it seems so nice in the day but I was there for some fireworks night and there seemed a fair few salty characters around. I would have thought anyone growing up in Britain today would not be wanting for multicultural interaction, if that is what is desired.

Been looking at a few places in Faversham and it looks great. I realise this thread is quite old but can anyone elaborate on the "less salubrious estates"

Hi 🙋🏾

Am moving from london to Faversham in July and I am supper apprehensive 😫

Moving for good school have a 5 year old daughter and trying to find the right place in Kent

Found a lovely house and looking to committee

Plus how diverse is the community?

Any reviews you have about the area or do’s and Dont’s would be very much appreciated
... Or should I be looking at other better affordable areas in Kent with good/ great schools ?? Help !

If your moving to faversham its definitely becoming more diverse. I love it here and my son does to. Before Covid there was always something on in the town for families. We didn't get our choice in schools, so beware of that beast. My son is in reception and loves school that we didn't choose and on hindsight it's a good school.
There is an abundance of outdoor space to stretch your legs, our lockdown haven't been to painful.
Faversham town is lovely but the choice in any speciality food or products isn't here for culturally diverse groups. You can get round it though. I hope to stay in faversham however I will consider moving to
Whitstable and Canterbury which are only 15 mins away and also nice but a busy all year round with tourists and Canterbury with the student community too. I hope this helps good luck with your move. 🙏🏽🥂