If you had a choice would you move to Chester or Clitheroe?

[Dappled]

We may have a family move on the cards soon, due to my OH's work. The possibilities are likely to be Chester or Clitheroe (Ribble Valley, Lancashire) or their surrounding areas.
I have never been to either place, and don't even know the surrounding regions. I've been doing lots of internet research and of course we will be visiting - but the current pandemic situation and the fact that we may have to make a fairly quick decision means it would be really useful to get the thoughts an experiences of people who know either place (and especially those who know both!)
Access to beautiful countryside with plenty of walking possibilities is really important to us. My children have been desperate to move to the countryside for years and we are a family who all need open space and not too much bustle so we are considering locating rurally within those areas as we are all feeling pretty tired of city life (We are currently in the suburbs of a large northern city). However, I also think that we''d do well in a small town or leafy city suburbs as long as we were close to plenty of open space and countryside.
Schools are a big one for us - primaries and we will soon need secondaries too. We will have missed the deadlines for secondary applications for September 2021 start in Year 7 so an area where the schools aren't oversubscribed would be a massive bonus! Would prefer good state schools rather than grammars or private.
We relocated north 6 years ago and know how hard work it is to settle and make friends in a new place. Somewhere with a generally friendly welcoming vibe would be much preferred. It would be good to get involved with a community. We're not small c (or large C) conservative. We're from arts and creative backgrounds and so if we were in a town or city a place that has an arts scene, an alternative vibe or just a bit of a cultural life would be great. If we chose to locate more rurally I do worry about being the "newcomers" forever and so an area that doesn't feel closed minded to outsiders and where you might feel you can contribute to a community would be great.
Also, rain...I'm worried about Lancashire ! (although I haven't looked up the rainfall stats for the Chester area yet) Those who know the Ribble Valley - does it rain ALL the time?!? (I have arthritis which isn't great with damp)
So, on the basis that I know neither place (or region) at all - anyone got any thoughts or advice for me on either (or both) areas? Thank you.

Can't comment on Clitheroe but grew up near Chester and love it. Some 'cheshire set' issues but plenty of normal people. Most of it quite expensive though.
Fairly good links to London if that's important, two and a bit hours to Euston via Crewe. Good schools generally.

Surrounding countryside nice but quite flat and some would say boring. However you're not very far away from Wales which is lovely.

Well Chester is a City and Clitheroe a village.
The latter has a brilliant Grammar school, hardly any if any parents tutor for admittance, too.
Has problems with teens and drugs as everywhere but obviously more obvious in a village.
I love Chester, spent a long time there as a child, you'll not get as much for your money ito property. Close to Wales for nice trips if you are allowed in by then.

Went for a quick lunch at the Inn At Whitewell many years ago and asked if I could have the beef and horseradish sandwich on white instead of granary.
Was told No, that's not how Chef wants it served.
I never went back, I've eaten at places with world famous chefs who've been less pretentious.

I think youve had some pretty harsh reviews of Chester here op! I live walking distance from the city centre close to the river and meadows and it's lovely, we get the village countryside vibe but can walk into town in well under 10mins.

Agree it's not great on race days but that's what, 10 days a year?! Also agree to check carefully where you are looking and avoid those places mentioned, they are cheaper for a reason!

I've certainly been very grateful for having so much on my doorstep during the lockdown

@JessicaPeach thanks for that more positive note - glad to hear you're having a good experience in Chester! What areas would you recommend around where you are? I could definitely go with the idea of being near the city centre but close to river and meadows

@Devlesko, thanks, those are all really useful comments. I like to hear that the parents are not tutoring for admittance to the grammar!!

@tinierclanger, reassuring to hear about Chester schools. Anywhere particular on Wirral you would recommend?

@Frazzled2207 where around Chester has the nicest countryside do you reckon? Any surrounding villages or small towns you'd recommend?

Not much to add OP but Rossett and Hawarden are considered somewhat posh but Burton and Mancot (respectively) a bit cheaper.

I'd personally choose Clitheroe but it's very hard to compare the two, as PP have already said, they are chalk and cheese!

Chester is a nightmare for traffic!! Really terrible...and much, much worse from Easter through to early Autumn when the touristy season quietens down (you don't just get the Chester tourism, you get the North Wales traffic too 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️)

You can't really make a big decision like this though without spending time in both places really can you. Nice excuse for a couple of weeks away 👍

I think the races usually take up about 15 weekends a year?
Which perhaps doesn't seem much in the scheme of things, but as they run May-September that's a lot of summer with Chester dominated by a lot of drunks.
Rosset, Hawarden are nice, I had a friend who lived in the area around Pulford? That was nice too.

First look on RM and found this house with lots of room for sofas and chairs:

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-84022082.html

chester - better connected, more to do, countryside in easy reach. Some good schools. Clitheroe too small for me - but forest of bowland nice area

Oh someone mentioned Tarpoley. I like Tarpoley.

@Dappled
I grew up on the welsh side of the border, others have mentioned Hawarden which is def worth a look. Welsh side will be cheaper. That area isn’t particularly Welsh speaking though kids would have to learn at least some at school.

On the other side Tarporley and roundabouts are lovely but probably fairly pricey.

Frodsham, Helsby are nice though a bit close to the M56 for my liking (due to noise and air pollution)

And to the north on the Wirral- Heswall, Neston but then you’re into footballer territory.

Regarding traffic in chester it’s not that bad and most weekends don’t have races. Good for cycling as flat.

Several park and ride options for getting into the city.

@Puppywithattitude

I think the races usually take up about 15 weekends a year? Which perhaps doesn't seem much in the scheme of things, but as they run May-September that's a lot of summer with Chester dominated by a lot of drunks. Rosset, Hawarden are nice, I had a friend who lived in the area around Pulford? That was nice too.

There are 15 race days in total over 9 weekends and not usually the whole weekend

Haven't read the whole thread so might be repeating others but clitheroe a million times over. You aren't far from transport and a few decent sized towns, loads of gorgeous little bars and shops. Probably be able to get much more house for the money too.

I stand corrected, only 9 weekends (or not) where it becomes a drunken free for all in summer

@Devlesko

Well Chester is a City and Clitheroe a village. The latter has a brilliant Grammar school, hardly any if any parents tutor for admittance, too. Has problems with teens and drugs as everywhere but obviously more obvious in a village. I love Chester, spent a long time there as a child, you'll not get as much for your money ito property. Close to Wales for nice trips if you are allowed in by then.

As an ex pupil of the grammar school at Clitheroe with friends who have children of that age I can absolutely confirm that many many children have the living daylights tutored out of them for the grammar test

I love Chester. Try Farndon/Holt (2 villages either side of the border) on the river and about 15 mins into Chester.

Lamppost

That certainly wasn't our experience, have known children attend for the past 40 years, inc my dh.
Parents perhaps buy a bond book or two so kids can practice, we both have different experiences

Clitheroe is beautiful, grew up there. Has some absolutely fantastic schools, lovely market town, fairly close to Manchester if you fancy a shop or close to the lakes if you fancy a walk. Beautiful countryside on your doorstep a great place to live, even the Queen said she would live there if she had the choice!

Conversely Chester is more expensive has a great zoo and way too many footballers wives!

I did the reverse move from Clitheroe to Leeds! I love both places for different reasons, but Leeds isn't that big of a city, Preston, Manchester are all fairly close by as is Leeds if you want a trip back! There was one point I was commuting to Leeds from the ribble valley, you cannot do that from Chester!

Chest or Clit! It's a tough choice