Esher or Reigate?

[Ambermolly]

Hi all,
We're looking to move and i'd be interested to hear other people's preferences, insights and comparisons on Reigate and Esher as places to live/ to visit/ any insight really. We are a family with a toddler currently living in SW London. We've looked all over Surrey and narrowed it down to these two places. We like the feel of both areas, need a rail link to Clapham, a decent state school and a few nice places to eat/ cinema. Based on distance to train station and schools we're looking north of the race track in Esher near the train station, or the south-east side of Reigate (Lesbourne village/ Meadvale). Where do you prefer?

There is another recent thread about Reigate on here. And another on Esher vs Guildford! I don't know Esher well but Reigate is absolutely lovely. Very popular, lovely high street, wonderful park at the heart of the town. Loads to do in the local area for families with toddlers - childrens' arms, national trust properties, soft plays, forest schools, toddler classes etc. Great nurseries, and an array of outstanding schools (primary and secondary) for when the toddler is older. Parking tricky in the Lesbourne road area though so do check that out if an issue for you. And be aware that the Priory Junior School is soon to be moving to Woodhatch Place (other end of Cockshott Hill at Woodhatch, South of Reigate). It would suit your requirements well. Loads of excellent restaurants and cafes in Reigate. An Everyman cinema, and nearby Redhill is going to have a new cinema soon I believe (a VUE?).

Hi. We plan to move to Surrey and we have been looking at a few schools state and private both , both our kids have been offered a place at Kingswood house school in Epsom but before we go ahead we also wanted to go have a look at the Reigate grammar school.. we don’t really know Surrey that well only been here a few times to see our friends and we really liked it .. is there anyone here who could please shed some light on what the Reigate grammar school is like ?? And also Kingswood house ? what’s it like to live in Reigate and Epsom please.

Thankyou

I don't know Esher well but Reigate is such a lovely town. My DD goes to Reigate College which has been amazing. I always go to Reigate for the cinema and good shopping but most importantly it has the greatest pizza restaurant in the UK (Monte Forte) - trust me we have been to most pizza restaurants in London and the SE and this is the best

I think Reigate is more lively an charning than Esherwhich to me is just a bit soulless - but I've only visited few times, haven't lived there. It's a track from the high st to station so if you live near the station you are nowhere near shops/cafes.

Thankyou @Titsywoo and @CatAndHisKitit’s much appreciate your help! … it’s so stressful looking at schools and houses but got to be done. We are going to drive down to Reigate and get the feel of the area and tour of the schools there , we’re also thinking surbiton so will be doing some visits there too when we go to Reigate . Fingers crossed .

One thing to bear in mind is Esher to Clapham is 25-35 mins,. Reigate to Clapham is twice that. Day in, day out, that makes a difference.

Esher also has loads going for it. It doesn;t have a centre in the same way that some towns do, but along the main stretch there's an Everyman cinema, loads of cafes and restaurants, a new small theatre, community hall with loads going on, acres and acres of woodland and common land with a river for den building, cycling, hiking etc, a lovely pick your own farm, great youth rugby and cricket, Sandown which has loads of events, music, exhibitions etc as well as racing. There's loads for kids to do. It's very family-focused. Beautiful NT places all around, good schools both state and private.

Esher over Reigate for me.