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?

I know quite a few people who commute to London from Frome, mostly on the train, driving to Westbury and catching a direct one from there. There is a Facebook group called Frome Commuters that might give you a clearer idea of whether it was a good or bad idea!
Just in case you're convinced Frome is ' the one and only'

Forest Row in Sussex is pretty arty and alternative. Train from E Grinstead for commuting is about 10 mins away. My DF did this commute into central London for years, it was on the long side but doable.

Ive not actually been to Frome so I’m not sure how similar they are, but I’ve a few friends who talk about it and it sounds a similar vibe.

Out of interest what is arty and liberal about Frome? I see this said a lot on here. It seems expensive to buy there now.

Dursley is a great little market town on the Cotswold Way, and really good value for money housewise. We actually moved here because it has its own train station (with free unlimited parking) and was going to be far easier for my husband to get into the centre of Bristol for work, than when we lived in a Bristol suburb! Train to London only takes an hour or so, we do it frequently. It's half way between Gloucester and Bristol, 20/30 mins each way, and so much to do locally. Great quality of life here, very community focused, and lots going on. Some wonderful pubs and restaurants on our doorstep, and everyone is either really friendly, or batshit crazy. It's great.

Forest Row E Sussex, got that slightly new age vibe..

Norwich?
Ely
Margate

Tenterden in Kent?

It's recently won an award for best place to live in a recent survey. I've only been there to visit the coffee shop!

Highworth is very pretty, and a short drive into Swindon for a train that takes about 50 minutes to Paddington.

Supposed to be lovely but has no train station.

I'm looking at Dursley and it seems like all the trains to London are more like 2 hours with a change at Gloucester or Bristol parkway, am I missing something?

What is it (and I say this as a left wing person myself) with lefties wanting to surround themselves with other lefties? You'd never find a right wing person coming on Mumsnet and looking for advice about Tory-voting towns. We seem to want to seek out echo chambers so that everyone we meet will confirm what we already think so we can go go on congratulating ourselves for always being right. I think this intolerant tribalism is one of the western world's biggest issues.

Sorry, slightly off topic.

I know Frome very well (live in a city nearby) and I wouldn't move there precisely because of all the qualities you list as attractive 😆
Everyone's the same and knows everyone else. It's turning into a champagne socialist silo.

Warwick? 1hr 20 to Marylebone. Lots of independents, plenty to do and very pretty.

@countrypunk - ha - I kind of know what you mean- we are moving back to Bath next week (lived there before we went abroad) and one reason I like it was that whilst it does have all the independent stuff, it has all the big useful chains too - I quite like Frome , but I do get what you mean and I know a few people there too- there are indeed Tory equivalents though- we've been living for last 5 months in Windsor and down the road here in Ascot is def a Right wing equivalent of Frome !

No, you aren't missing anything. It is 2 hours with a change.

Lewes? It’s quirky AF!

Property is also eye wateringly expensive.

@Crikeyalmighty I used to live in Bath! Some great pubs. I don't know Berkshire at all but totally imagine it as you describe 😁

Mixing it up....Market Harborough and you have Rutland on your doorstep.

Tring is really nice. Not especially leftie but very active with community events, and green. Nice high st, farmer's merket, etc. Expensive as you'd expect <1hr from London, but v convenient

Where in the North do you need to get to?
Would you consider a small city like Winchester which sort of fits your brief
Very well connected with the M3, A34 and M27 close by and fastest train 59 minutes to London Waterloo.

Brighton is south of London but might have the vibe you like. Or Hastings. And I second Forest Row.

@countrypunk Yep- it has some big houses and is leafy but not an inch of boho to be found- lots of Rishi Sunaks- behind gates!!

@Helloloopyloo I am in the exact same position you were when you posted this. From what you said about Frome, I have a feeling, we are on the same page about what we like about it.

I hope you have moved to a nice place so, I was wondering if you can share with me where you decided to move, in the end.

Thank you, in advance.

MIKAP