Sevenoaks

[mrsmummy111]

Hi everyone,

What can you tell me about the different areas of Sevenoaks? We live around 30 mins away and know the town centre quite well but not the specific areas. We are looking to move there and have an above average budget (relevant) as we want to live in a "nice" area. Where is nice and where should we avoid? We would like to be a bit rural with a bit of land (ie not in a super residential street).

Thank you

Chelsfield is very nice. Do you need to be near a station or schools. There are very rural areas like Knockholt or Halstead which are very nice. Whats the budget and priorities

I’d avoid Bat & Ball, Dunton Green is hit and miss.
It depends what your budget is really and how close, if at all, you need to be to transport links. The villages surrounding may give you a little more land. Knockholt, Badgers Mount, Weald, Shoreham, Otford and Eyensford would be worth a look.

Thanks both. Yes Chelsfield we know and love but not much seems to come up there.

Doesn't need to be within walking distance to transport, but a reasonable drive to a station so DH can get into central London.

Schools also not essential as DS is only 13 months and not sure if we would stay there long enough for schools to be relevant. Would be handy but not a deal breaker.

Budget anywhere up to £1.1m. Minimum 4 (decent sized) bedrooms and a large open plan kitchen (or ability to make it into one) - don't mind doing a bit of work ourselves but it would need to be closer to the £900k mark if so.

Thanks again for your help

Sorry but do you also know much about Tunbridge Wells? Bidborough for example?

Tunbridge Wells has decent schools, a good high street and is marginally cheaper than Sevenoaks. Personally, I’ve always preferred Sevenoaks. I don’t have any knowledge on Bidborough, sorry.
You should get what you need in either area within your budget

Chelsfield isn't what I would call Sevenoaks - my SIL lives there and she describes herself as living in Orpington.

Otford is nice if you aren't bothered about being in the town itself. There are a few shops, some cafes and a good park. You can get the train from there into London and you generally get a seat.

I think villages like Ide Hill, Knockholt, Sundridge and Brasted are also quite nice places to live. Agree with the previous poster about Dunton Green. Chipstead is pretty and in the catchmentfor Amherst School. Some nice pubs, but no shops.

Thanks @coronabeer - yes agree Chelsfield is technically Orpington. We live in chislehurst and it's only 10 mins or so from us. Chelsfield would be ideal really but it's just a case of finding something!

Thank you that's so helpful. General consensus is to avoid Dunton green by the sounds of it which is good to know. A few places in chipstead have come up on our search so it's helpful to know that you'd recommend. Little village feel is exactly what we are after so will also look into the other places you mention. Thanks again

Tunbridge Wells is lovely, but do be aware that the train takes significantly longer into London (the difference is bigger than you would think for two towns that are quite close together). Far more frequent trains from Sevenoaks as well. Lots of lovely villages around. Bidborough is nice; doesn't have that much of a centre or a historic feel (apart from the church), but it does have a good community and there's lots of residential housing, so probably more opportunities to buy than in some villages.

Thank you @haveyouseenmyhorcrux that's an excellent point that I hadn't considered. I had assumed that being so close brought similar transport links, but indeed you are right. Tunbridge Wells is a lot less attractive in terms of transport for DH into London so definitely something to consider. We have seen some lovely places in Bidborough so will view them so we can see what the village is like, but I must admit I do feel drawn much more to sevenoaks than TW.

Hi all, I came across this thread while searching for information on the Dunton Green area, as we saw some great newly built houses in that area in the Ryewood development. Could anyone provide some more information as to why is better to avoid Dunton Green?