Thoughts on Cobham

[planforeverything]

We’ve almost given up trying to buy a house in the borough of Richmond but do still need to move from Putney. The closing of Hammersmith Bridge makes our commutes to Heathrow 1 hour 25 mins each way so we’re looking to move.

We’ve visited a number of places and the two places that stuck out were Marlow and Cobham. As much as we love Marlow, it’s going to be too far to get back in to London for theatre/meals out which we do regularly. We both drive, liked the High Street of Cobham and I don’t want to be anywhere with less going on than Cobham. We visited some gorgeous villages but we are not village people. I don’t mind the station not being in town either.

Does anyone live in Cobham or can provide any reviews of what it’s like to live in as a town? Is it friendly, is there a sense of community, is it welcoming to people who aren’t from Cobham? We don’t have children, both early 30s and don’t work in London but like to go in 1-2 weekends per month and some mid week drinks.

Cobham is popular with American expats due to the American school nearby. It’s prime commuter-villa so I can’t imagine anyone would ever feel unwelcome due to not having always lived there.

In terms of negatives, you’ll get a lot of plane noise (presumably used to that given your current location and where you looked). The M25 is very close too so you’ll get a bit of noise and pollution from there. You might also like to check out the plans for redoing the M25/A3 Junction as that might affect your commute or the house you buy.

I lived nearby for a long time. Cob ham is lovely and has a lot going for it, as PP mentioned it's very popular with American expats.

How about places like Weybridge and Guildford? Farnham? Would that be too far?

You’ll need long blonde hair and a Porsche 4x4 in Cobham if you want to fit in.

The Surrey stretch of the M25 around to Heathrow is usually a car park.

Awful traffic from cobham to Heathrow

We live in the next village. it has a station, local shops opposed to big retailers and fabulous primary and secondary schools. We don’t hear lots of planes actually we don’t hear any!

Cobham is lovely, Great high street very busy and the commute to Heathrow can be very be awful, but isn’t the whole of the M25? You can Find it clear some days.
I’m not sure if the school situation in Cobham, private obviously ok. If you are thinking of having children you might want to consider this.
Weybridge is worse and the commute to even get on the M25 awful.
Farnham is lovely or one of the neighbouring villages to Cobham.

Cobham resident of 12 years here.

You’ll need long blonde hair and a Porsche 4x4 in Cobham if you want to fit in. BS, but don’t let that stop a good stereotype will you. However if you happen to aspire to long blonde hair and a cayenne then you won’t be alone but most people don’t really care or bother judging you so go for it.

Awful traffic from cobham to Heathrow yes if you actually take the M25 which most locals don’t, they go through Walton and then back roads. M25 regularly jammed although rarely adds more than 20-30 mins to your trip. Allow 45 mins at non-peak, 60-75 mins at peak time to drive.

you’ll get a lot of plane noise WTAF? Occasionally if the flight path is changed you hear it (weirdly on a sunday night and more in winter) but otherwise it’s v distant to the extent I rarely notice it. I don’t ever remember being out in garden in summer with plane noise.

Road noise from A3 and M25 do affect areas on outskirts, especially eg Downside. Traffic is regularly horrific through Byfleet (including A3 R/B at Cobham), Oxshott and in Esher by Sandown Park in case you’re looking at those routes.

Residents v friendly, largely v safe area. Broad mix of people from different backgrounds although not at all culturally or socially diverse. Yes there are Americans but by no means disproportionate so I don’t see what this offers to the discussion. Many live round the Fairmile where the ACS is. As for fitting in, it’s a very mixed area - lots of people here for life and lots come and go so you won’t have an issue being new. The only thing is that most people move out here with young families and that’s often how they make new friends. It’s a very family oriented area so not sure what it would be like for young couple Pre kids.

Uber from London back on a Saturday night is about £50 and easy to get. If you’re wanting somewhere with a good train station then Cobham is not your place. Faster and more regular services from Esher, Surbiton, Walton, Woking.

Property prices v high, one of the most expensive towns outside London (because of commuter links). Schools generally all excellent, private and state If it’s on your radar for later. Can be hard to get into if DCs born in a boom year.

As for amenities, it lacks a good big gym anywhere nearby. Closest are David Lloyd in Weybridge and Nuffield in Surbiton. Plenty of other options like small gyms and cross-fit centres though, lots of great running and walking to be done as loads of healthland / woods. Popular for dog owners. Restaurant choices and pubs locally (Cobham / Esher / Oxshott / Claygate) are excellent, loads to choose from. Esher has an Everyman cinema. Cobham high street has lovely shopping, only 20 mins each way to Kingston (has JL) or Guildford if you want more.

In general there is very little property on the market at the moment (has been the case for a couple of years, local estate agents starting to merge / shut down as a result) so in terms of choice it’s not a great time to buy but perhaps more will come on this spring now that the election and to some degree brexit are out of the way.

Happy to answer anymore questions.

MarchBorn, surprised you don’t notice the planes much.

webtrak.emsbk.com/lhr4

@JoJoSM2

Thanks for the link, especially if you tick the corridors box. It’s quite mesmerising.

It’s alright but not very lively for a couple in their early 30s without children. How about surbiton?

Actually OP, have you looked into North Kingston? You’d get a big town centre + proximity to Richmond Park and the river + X26 straight to Heathrow in 4-5 stops.

JoJo do you live here? I genuinely don’t think in all my time here I have ever heard anyone complain about planes. If they do go over they’re generally at such a height that they’re completely unobtrusive. There are very occasional exceptions and only then do you notice them. Mumdone is the same.

OP you’d be absolutely nuts for “plane noise” not to be your reason for living in Cobham!

Sorry rephrase that - to be your reason for not living in Cobham!

@MarchBorn thank you SO much for this detailed review. I should have given a bit more detail but you’ve answered so many of my questions.

1. I have long blonde hair and a 4x4 but I didn’t realise this was a bad thing?

2. My husbands normal commute to Heathrow is between 3 and 4am so hoping this helps the situation. I work at home 2 days per week.

3. Husband knows the flight plan like the back of his hand (can you guess his job?) and like another poster has said, it’s rare to get severe aircraft noise over Cobham - when I say severe, I’m talking St Margaret’s, Windsor, Hounslow. We do live under the flight path at the moment and it doesn’t bother us but again it’s not roaring. You do get aircraft noise but the landing gear isn’t down at Cobham, which is when the roaring noise starts to kick in so it’s quieter than many other areas.

4. I liked North Kingston but property wise can’t afford what we’re looking for and can afford in Cobham. Detached house with off street parking for 2 cars and a big garden for dogs.

@marchborn - we have been looking at places within walking distance to the high street, mainly 1960/70s housing stock. If you could live anywhere in Cobham, where would it be or where wouldn’t you live? Also where would you recommend for dog walks? Is there a local park?

I live near Cobham and think @MarchBorn has given an excellent summary.

But, personally, if I wasn't tied to needing a quick train into London, I would choose Marlow. I have friends there and it has a much more permanent community feel where Cobham and other Surrey towns are so commuter led.

@MarchBorn aircraft noise wouldn’t be my reason for not living in Cobham - if you look at the link attached or just go on Flight Radar it’s highly unusual to get aircraft below 10,000 ft at Cobham (and at that height they make minimal noise). The landing gear comes down at 1500ft (Richmond!!) and thats when the noise is loud.

Cob ham won't be horrendous for aircraft noise, the traffic to Heathrow could be horrific. If he travels at 3/4am what time does he come back? Would looking at somewhere on the Heathrow express train line be worth considering?

There are so many lovely parts of Cobham. Personally I really like the roads around The Tilt (but not quite as far up as the station) as they are walking distance to the high street but have a bit more space and a nice local pub. The Fairmile and Sandy / Miles Lane areas have lovely houses but on the whole no pavements so you have to go everywhere by car. It also depends which side of town you want to be on for transport links, and also potentially for schools in the future. Beware of anything down by the Mill as it tends to flood once every couple of years or so. There are some new townhouses behind the high street by the library which might be good for a younger couple, I think it depends really on your future plans for the house and family. Good to know about the landing gear - that explains a lot!

As for dog walking you’re spoiled for choice, Arbrook Common, Esher Common, Oxshott Heath, West End Woods, Ockham... all with lots of car parks if you need to drive there and within a few minutes. Good dog community and dog walkers galore (plus vets).

@MarchBorn are there dog walks in Cobham itself - that can be walked to without getting in the car. Any river walks or parks?

Marchbon summary is great, the comments about plane noise are hilarious. Only time I ever heard any was back in concord days once a day...

Cobham is lovely. You could also look at Weybridge and parts of Walton - lively, nice houses, great schools, easy commutes.

Cob ham sounds a bit quiet for you surely ? What about Hampton court/east molesey easy commute in from hcrt station (end of line!) and out to Heathrow.

@planforeverything yes loads, just depends on which part you live in and how far you want to go. The rec in cobham is ok, if you live up at the Fairmile end then you can get into woods quickly. But getting in car is not like London... it takes 5-7 mins to drive to a great dog walk, not 20.

So glad I found this post! We are in the throes of serious consideration on moving to Cobham. We have two children of school age and are looking for a more village style life. I know Cobham isn’t strictly rural nor teeny and village-esque but it seems to tick the boxes for what we want and coming from the v large town we currently live in it appears village-y!

I’d be grateful to hear more opinions and views on what it is like to live in... friendliness for example, and transport for when children are older ie buses into nearby towns. There appears to be a bus that goes from Cobham to esher and into Kingston for eg?

Will a walk into town from the Fairmile area feel do-able?

There seems to be much on offer .... from the Medicine Garden, the Ivy, nice looking pubs, nearby green belt, independent shops, Waitrose (😊). Does it have a strong community feel? Easy to make new friends?

To me it seems to strike the balance of London / country living, and although some will say it’s in the Surrey bubble, I'm sure there are plenty of like minded, down to earth folk to be found?! Right!

@MarchBorn I was already a fan of lovely
Cobham, from a distance, but thanks for the authentic and balanced viewpoint ... I’m pretty much sold 😊

Lived in Cobham for 20 years and originally from the north. Brown hair and drive a front wheel drive 😀 - sorry to shatter stereotype!
We like Cobham. Raised 2 kids. Thought about leaving last year but had a lot of family misfortune. Having moaned about the south east generally most days since arriving, the particular misfortune made me appreciate the wonderful group of friends who have supported me selflessly every day. I’ve now decided I’m staying put. Cobham’s good. No where’s perfect, it’s what you make of it. The public and social services in my experience aren’t bad here either and I’d be very reluctant to leave now.