Villages / towns that are a bit like Frome…

[Helloloopyloo]

We love Frome, but it’s far from family and from work (two days in London).

So we’re moving our focus elsewhere. Cotswolds-ish-area, maybe even Kent (other side). To be honest, anywhere that 2 days a week into London wouldn’t be too hard and seeing family who are north of London wouldn’t be too difficult either.

Must haves: high street with independent shops, strong community, a bit artsy and liberal, looks picturesque.

Can anyone recommend anywhere?

Thame?

hythe in Kent, Sandwich & whitstable? Lewes in sussex.

Manningtree in Essex? 1 hour direct to Liverpool Street and I think might have the vibe you're after, cafes, restaurants, wine bars, independent market etc. You get quite a lot for your money too compared to the Cotswolds plus you're on the water. I think the schools are good too.

Stroud

Saffron Walden in Essex.

Frome is pretty easy for London, about 1 hr 20 to Paddington. I don't really think you'll save that much from the Cotswolds or from Kent, especially if you go for a village and need to drive to a station, it might take you even longer. In Cotswolds, I like Cirencester, Woodstock, Cheltenham.

@NellyBarney the 1hr 20 train from frome is a rarity. It isn’t even daily. Almost all frome to London trains require a change. It’s really not a top spot for London commuting.

I know both well and SW is much more staid market town than Frome. Both lovely, but frome much more arty/quirky.

Stroud, Canterbury, whitstable,

Chipping Norton and Woodstock too

Brighton or Lewes?

Have to say (slightly tongue in cheek!) I appreciate you may want personal views from existing residents but can't you put a bit of research in yourself....if I did know somewhere to meet all your criteria I would keep it to myself!

I spent a few days in Saffron last month. Very nice but not like Frome. Frome has an arty/green/lefty vibe. Saffron felt a lot older and lovely though it is, it feels very middle class and not remotely vibey

Nailsworth near Stroud. Very pretty, liberal, green.

Can you be more explicit about where you want to get to/visit family. Are you hoping for volunteer Glasto passes? What's so great about Frome for you (It's nice enough if you are wealthy, but so are plenty of other places nearby)?

Elizabeth Line helps a lot of cross city transfers.

What are you trying to achieve kids/jobs wise?

I like how liberal and arty Frome is. Seems to have a nice community. I like the high street. Lots of independent shops etc.

I wouldn’t take the Glastonbury passes either way - those days are done for me! I like an early night!

Really just trying to get a better pace of life. A great integrative community. Countryside nearby. Lots of good places to eat nearby too (non chain places).

We visited Lewes, which was suggested upthread, but it wasn’t quite for us - and not quite in the ideal spot either.

Thank you for all the suggestions so far! We are very slowly visiting places and you’ve given me lots to google!

Great Malvern is a lovely town, there are independent shops and the hills to walk in, plus it has a railway station. Not sure how liberal it is or what the demographic is like though, as we just go there to walk.

Your tricky bit is the lefty arts liberal vibe! We are in East Sussex, which fits most of what you are after, London is 1 hr 20 to Charing Cross, about an hour to London Bridge. But it falls short in terms of lefty, multicultural anything, although you can find your tribe if you try hard enough!

My brother lives in Whitstable and it seems to tick your boxes, he likes the things you like. Dh and I have it on our list for a possible move in the future.

It's quite far West and not sure how it is for getting to London but I think Totnes would meet the rest of your criteria

What about Bath?

Bath is lovely, 1 hr 25 minutes(ish) to Paddington but it is a stretch to say that it has a liberal vibe. The Elizabeth Line is a gamechanger for getting across London, though, depending on where you need to get to for work.

The old bits of Corsham (driving to Chippenham for the train) might suit. It might seem too small for you?

@KalaniM

Bath doesn't have a lefty liberal vibe, more an academic old money one. Lovely though - sitting in a very nice coffee shop right now near the Abbey.

@gogohmm Ooh I disagree a bit on that- it has a bit of both I think having lived there 5 years- in fact we move back there next week. Can't wait!! And we are arty liberal types- lol
And it does of course have a Lib Dem MP however if Frome isn't in right direction for OP- I doubt Bath will be either - and it might be out of budget too - I can't tell

Stroud,Tetbury. Dursley is near both and cheaper