Moving to the Taunton area

[flamingnora86]

Can anyone recommend anywhere near Taunton or in Taunton with the following:

1. good schools (don’t have to be Ofsted Amazeballs. “Good” based on reputation and happy children)
2. quiet and spacious area (our current town is crammed & noisy!)
3. near the countryside for walking dogs
4. near bus or train to get into Taunton.

I’ve lived in Taunton before and the only thing I remember are the beautiful Quantocks.

Any help would be great! Moving in 6 months or so

I've never been overly impressed which anywhere in Taunton to be totally honest.

Taunton has a few really good private schools. State schools the outstanding secondaries are Heathfield and Castle school so look for those catchment areas. Lots of lovely villages around Taunton such as North Curry, Kingston st Mary, Blagdon or Trull. No idea about public transport links from those places though. Lots of walking around Taunton as well.

Lots of new development going up in Monkton Heathfield which fall in the Heathfield catchment.

Public transport isn’t the best so either live in Taunton or expect to drive.

I live in Taunton but on the edge, so have the best of both worlds - 20 mins walk to the town & station, but surrounded by fields.

We’re fairly new to the area but we’ve been really impressed with how many boxes it ticks.

I wouldn't move to Taunton if I were you, Taunton and Yeovil are not nice, I work in both hospitals and there are always drunks and fights going on for most of the time.
Avoid Bridgwater also. All three areas properly rough.
I don't know anything about schools because mine have left home but the whole area is very rural and it's really hard to get about if you don't drive.
I live in Somerston which is central ti everywhere I work and love it to bits. So cheap compared to the south east where I lived before.
Everyone lives in villages here not just the well off like they do in the south east and there are loads of wonderful villages all over that area.
I spent last summer befoe I moved driving around the area and looking at villages and towns near work and Somerton did it for me.

madcatlady was that Somerton?. If so I can almost see you from here!

flamingnora86
How close to Taunton do you have to be. Taunton itself has really expanded into the surrounding countryside and some of the estates look quite nice (IMO). Rush hour traffic can be a nightmare.

In terms of secondary schools Castle is one of the best. I don't know much about primary but there's a village school just outside of Taunton called Trull which is meant to be lovely.

Thanks everyone! I have lived in both Yeovil and Taunton so I know what you mean!

I have some thinking to do and I don’t know where to start.

We both WFH so commuting traffic isn’t an issue. But we do need train links to Bristol.

But I suppose if we don’t need to get there regularly then a drive to the station is fine :)

Ahhhh this is going to be hard to get right

*madcatlady was that Somerton?. If so I can almost see you from here!^

Yes I meant Somerton, Hi! How far are you? I moved here in February, bought a house and love it. I spent 6 months in rented in Bridwater before that so I know it's one to avoid.
I was going to move to Glastonbury but it's quite expensive there.

Norton Fitzwarren is a lovely village. So many fields for dog walking, walking distance to the park and ride and good primary school. Also the right side for easy travel to the Quantocks and Exmoor

I live in Taunton and would disagree that it's not nice.
Every town has good and bad areas. Avoid the bad ones and you're dandy.
I like that I can get to Exeter in about 40 minutes and Bristol in 50 and the town has a good amount of shops for every day needs plus a range of supermarkets and other stores.
Definitely avoid Bridgwater.

I actually live in a lovely village just outside. I can PM you the name if you would like. It's fairly small surrounded by countryside but can get to town in less than 15 minutes. It would depend on your budget as it can be a bit expensive here. £350k ish for a standard 3 bed. Some cheaper ones come up though and the primary is rated outstanding.

Castle is the best secondary, I think Heathfield comes second.

Yes please PM me @catsarebetterthandogs9

@CatsShinyWhiskers wow that sounds perfect! Thank you

There’s a lot of cat themed names on this thread!

I too am in the vicinity - I cannot comment on schools as I do not have children, but can vouch for the fact that the area is wonderful to live in. I am midway between Bridgwater and Taunton, the Quantocks, Exmoor nearby, easy access to some beautiful towns, yes Somerton, Dunster, Chard, good beaches nearby, varied geography and scenery, from the Somerset Levels to the Polden Hills, and the Blackdowns, rural, largely unspoilt, plenty of history from King Alfred to the Monmouth Rebellion, a quieter pace of life, but plenty of cultural activities, theatres etc ( under normal circumstances anyway!). Everything going for it.

madcatladyforever
Not too far away from you - just the other side of Compton.
I like Somerton and considered moving there a while ago.
Glastonbury .... hmm I wouldn't live there if you paid me . Apologies to any Glastonians on the thread

Not quite understanding the dislike for Bridgwater - yes, it does have its negatives, as does any town, I guess, but it does have some lovely historic buildings, the quays along the Parrett are actually quite nice. Granted, the shopping facilities are somewhat limited, but it does have a very interesting museum, ( in the middle of an industrial estate!), dedicated to the history of brick and tile making. What more could one want?