BRAMLEY - SURREY

[Tanski]

Hi - Newbie here, really trying to reach out to anyone who might know about the area of Bramley in Surrey? I am considering purchasing a new build property in the area. We are a family of five. Three children, aged 11,7 and 3! We will be moving from London to Surrey sometime over the next month or two. I have been looking into the primary and secondary schools, according to the local authority the local schools are all oversubscribed. I am considering applying for Glebelands school as a secondary choice for my son and the primary school close by for my daughter in Cranleigh? I just worry with it being quite far from the village itself, how do others overcome the matter of distance to schools?

There’s a good infant school in Bramley, but for junior many go to Chilworth - Tillingbourne or Cranleigh.

It’s a nice village but the road through it is very busy, likely to be getting busier due to a huge development nearby in Dunsfold. If either of you are going to be commuting to London bear in mind the train stations get very busy. I’m not trying to put you off, just pointing it out.

Hi thank you so much for replying. I prefer honesty even if it means putting me off I’d rather know all the pros and cons lol ....Do you live close by? We’re not at all familiar with that region I do love Surrey it’s so beautiful! and yet it’s quite daunting moving from SW London to a village. It’s something we’ve always wanted for our kids to live closer to nature. The part we are buying in is a development close to the Bramley infant School. I did notice the road gets busy but I’m quite used to traffic having lived in London all my life! Do you happen to know of which secondary schools ( state) are good please? I have a son who is in year 7 currently and will need to do a in year transfer.

I do live nearby but not in Bramley. I know people that do. Their kids are either at private schools or will most likely go to Glebelands.

There is some great countryside near Bramley, the old railway is a great cycle path, lots of great walks. There is a LOT of building going on though in the towns and villages in the area, it’s very popular.
Happy to try and answer other questions.

Thank you that’s very kind. I think my main concern is as a parent I want to move somewhere where crime is low and somewhere where it is friendly and safe for me and my growing family. We are not in a position to send our children to private school (I can see there’s a lot of good private schools in the area). Cleveland’s is 5miles from our postcode and my concern is how to get my eldest into the high school and at the same time I need to get my 7year old to a junior school not to mention my three year old is due to start nursery in January 🙈

My husband will be commuting to work, he is an electrician do his trade can take him everywhere and anywhere. He has his own work van. I also have use of a car so getting about shouldn’t be a major problem, only I’d like to use the car less if possible lol the other thing I’ve noticed is the lack of supermarkets? Where would be the best place for food shopping? I know Guildford town centre is quite close by?

What do the locals say about Bramley to your knowledge? would they recommend living there?

Sorry for all the questions but thanking you ahead 😊

Godalming has Waitrose and Sainsbury’s, or Cranleigh has Sainsbury’s, M&S and Another. Guildford they are all the other side so more of a drive maybe. I’d say you’d use a car a lot to get to activities for kids etc. Village life probably requires a car more if you have school commutes.

I think most people I know have liked living there, as you don’t have to get a train it’s good. That’s the main frustration for some - the lack of station.

There are buses from the village for the feeder junior and secondary schools I think, but do check.

Morning - thank you for all the info. I guess it’s going to take sometime to adapt but I’m hoping it will be good in the long run. Would you say it’s easy to make friends? I literally will be starting all over again and worry I’ll feel isolated!

I can’t answer that really as I knew lots of people locally and commute to London so have friends there too. I’ve made some school mum friends too but don’t have lots of time to make new ones.

I wonder if you really want a village and especially one which is a bit cut off and lacks facilities such as junior school or station, if leaving London is daunting. There are market towns such as Dorking or Reigate or Cranleigh which have more schools, stations etc and can still be safe and great for families. Do you really want to be somewhere which is quite remote and involves driving for everything? Just a a thought.

Hi thank you for taking the time to reply:)

The reason we are considering a move is because a shared ownership property has become available, which after months of searching in and around the Surrey region this might be our one and only chance right now to upsize from our two bedroom flat. Bramley wasn't an area I had considered before and having spent sometime recently exploring the area it seems a lovely place. I guess moving away from London will be very different and that's to be expected, we do take a lot for granted and have everything on our door step!
Can I just ask whether you know the area well? and is it a family friendly area?

Bramley, and the surrounding area, is packed full of people who have moved from SW London, you’ll find no shortage of people in a similar situation

Cranleigh is not officially a town, nor does it have a station, which means prices are a little lower.

Good evening thank you for your reply. It’s a comfort to hear that we won’t be alone in all of this should we go through with the moe. The only thing that really bothering me is the distance of the schools having three children in three separate schools isn’t ideal but I guess other families would have a similar predicament and it’s clearly a very popular area?

Gleblands is a great school. Crime is very low in the area. Bramley has shops and is very close to Guildford. Great community and lots going on all over the place. It's a great area to live and bring kids up.

There is a school bus from Bramley to Tillingbourne Junior School. Children also get the bus to Glebelands so theoretically you wouldn't have to drive to either. Wonersh and Shamley Green Primary School is an all-through Primary and is near you near but you wouldn't get your 7 year old in. Your 3 year old may poss get in Reception depending on what numbers are like for that year of entry.

Hi @ TobyHouseMan thank you so much for replying. That’s really reassuring to hear! It’s going to take a little while to adjust from having everything on my doorstep but I do a lot of driving to get to places now so I guess it’s not going to be that much different to now!

Can you advise of a really decent doctors surgery?

Not Surrey but have you looked around Horsham? Only about 10 miles away and seems to have what you are looking for.

My doctor's is Loxwood Medical Practice. Very good. Emma Woodcock is a most lovely GP and she saved my life when I got seriously ill. Highly recommended if you can get in there.

Surrey Council is pretty good about buses and taxis to get the children to their feeder schools. Be warned though, if you don't accept a place at your nearest school then you will have to pay for transport (rurally they don't have catchments but you are automatically guaranteed your nearest school as the crow flies - at least that's how it works for us). I would agree with others that have suggested Dorking or Horsham if you want somewhere larger.

Low crime rates all around Godalming, Cranleigh & the villages.

Some teenage problems in Farncombe at the moment, but nothing like London.

You are not guaranteed a place in any (infant) school if your child is the 31st , nearest school or not. Once it gets to 30 you are given the next school on your preference list that has vacancies.

@ Keepaddingpets thank you for your reply. My husband will be commuting to London each day for work so we need to be closer rather than further away. I think Horsham is just that little bit further out?

@TobyHouseMan thank you for your reply. I will keep a note of this thank you :)

@ ritatherockfairy thank you for your reply. I have contacted the local LA who have informed me that the most local schools are all oversubscribed with long waiting lists for most. It seems that Glebelands has the most availability for now which would mean that we may be entitled to the transportation as this School is over 3km from the house. I was advised to put the Schools by distance first (closest to furthest) and I will put a cover note to inform them of my situation to see what is advised.