Moving to the English countryside

[Isanyholeagoal]

I’m looking for recommendations on areas of English countryside. We have small DC and are hoping to move from a big city to a more peaceful area, ideally low in tourism.

considerations below

min 3 beds
open to barn conversions, listed buildings, thatched etc
must be close enough to a well equipt town with things to do for young children (we both drive though)
ideally 1/4 acre +
good schools
budget £450k

any and all ideas welcome

Not sure what you are currently used to. Older houses can be money pits. Full of 'issues' which are not apparent on first appearance.
There is a world of difference living in the North, Midlands or the South, Southwest and East Anglia. From the climate to the people. The West for example is far wetter than the East. Some flat, some very hilly and inaccessible. Devon has very very small lanes. Each area is very different.

Consider traffic, especially near to town areas. Many rural routes have got really busy traffic en route to the nearest towns. Lorries to cars. And in rural communities =rural traffic. Tractors are something you will have to get used to if you wish to live semi-rural or rural. And horses.

Do check and ask if you are really a townie or a country person. In the country you may well get smells from any nearby farm. There may well be development suddenly spring up in a field nearby. Be realistic. The characters who have lived in the villages all their lives can be hardy sorts. And particular characters will have much social clout. Life in a rural community is very different from one in a town. Check what local services are near. Shop? Doctor ? Pharmacy? Do supermarkets deliver - wherever it is don't assume they can.

Gloucestershire, although your budget might be tight.

Look around Oxfordshire/Cotswolds - some beautiful villages and lovely schools. If you’re happy with a short drive to the station you can be in London on a train in under an hour. It’s also full of cottages/barn conversions/ period buildings if that’s your thing

"English countryside" is weirdly vague but also oddly specific. Just to check I've got the criteria straight in my head, Cornwall wouldn't be too far west and Northumberland isn't too far north, but Monmouthshire would be too ... Welsh?

Nottinghamshire! Villages east of Nottingham and near Newark and Southwell are really beautiful. Some are also very pricy but you should be able to get at least 3-4 bed semi detached for that amount of money

I’m not sure anything can be too Welsh but given it’s in Wales which isn’t England …. It’s outside the search criteria. If Cornwall and Northumberland fit the bill then they would be considered

Thank you @Rapunzel91 will take a look 😊

Yes. I understand the criteria. I was just curious as to the reasoning. You would live anywhere from Sennen to Clappers, ten hours apart, but you'd rule out living half an hour from Bristol?!

Yes that’s correct. Anywhere in England will be considered. Anywhere outside will not. Doesn’t really matter on the reasoning, I’m just asking for recommendations from people who have visited or live in the English countryside.

Herefordshire/Monmouthshire.

Very beautiful with good transport links to Cardiff, Birmingham.

What’s wrong with Monmouth? Why don’t you like Wales OP?! Come on, we need to know now 😂

I didn’t say I didn’t like Wales, the places I’ve visited are beautiful, I’m just not looking for a house there, same as I’m not looking for a house in Scotland doesn’t mean I don’t like it 😊

www.onthemarket.com/details/12409595/#/floorplans/1

www.onthemarket.com/details/12455004/#/photos/1

couple of conversions in different areas.

Another vote for Shropshire (or Herefordshire) as somewhere where your budget will go a decent way. Commute into London doesn't really work for a daily commute, but works quite well if only need to be in infrequently and can overnight in London.

Shropshire Hills are are bit like the land that time forgot - great walking and a much slower pace of life than the South-East.

Herefordshire/Monmouthshire would be a good place to look.

For those suggesting Cotswolds/Cheltenham, you'd get a 1 bed flat for £450k

What about Somerset? Lovely county - great villages around Taunton which are near the M5 - and some good schools too. Lovely little village primaries and some of the secondary academies and sixth form colleges are very good too.

Another vote for Somerset - in my opinion, England's best county. Very varied topography from the Somerset Levels to the Quantock Hills, Exmoor, the Doone Valley, Valley Of The Rocks, a stunning coastline, the edge of the Mendips, a rich tapestry of landscapes. A very historic county, the heart of King Alfred's kingdom, site of the last battle on English soil in 1685, affordable property and borders both Bristol and Bath, with many other beautiful small market towns - has everything going for it! And not too far from London, should you ever wish to venture there. Why, my own nearby town even has a museum dedicated to the history of brick and tile making ( an important local trade, yonks ago), artfully situated in the midst of an industrial estate.
I'm being flippant OP, it reallly is a gorgeous county!

I would add to your criteria good bus routes / local trains. Small kids grow and it is much better for young teens to be able get to and from town and to friends, independently.

Also good hospital not far away. Parts of Norfolk can be an hour’s drive, for example.

In a village or small town with a primary school you can walk to means friends close by for kids and a good way for you to make friends.

@EnglishRain that house is fabulous!

addland.com/land-search/land-detail/487211840

The properties and land enjoy far reaching views over the surrounding countryside and a peaceful countryside location. The property is ideally situated for holiday makers being in the Peak District National Park, close to three old market towns of Ashbourne, Leek and the spa town of Buxton, Alton Towers is close by and many other countryside pursuits are within easy reach.

Alternatively the property offers ideal smallholding or equestrian potential with a good amount of acreage and agricultural buildings available and many local equestrian facilities a short drive away.

I live in the Sw and I'm not sure your budget would be enough for what you want. You'd have to be near Bristol or Bath if you wanted access to culture.

@screamingj @Isanyholeagoal the thatched cottage was genuinely the first one on my RM list that looked like it ticked the boxes, but there are plenty of other properties with a bit less character all the way to new builds round these parts (West Suffolk). It is a lovely place to live. As I've said up thread I grew up in Lincolnshire but I think WS is much better connected to the country in comparison. East Suffolk has some gorgeous places too and can be very expensive if you're looking at 'naice' places like Woodbridge. But I work in London so prefer being this side of the county. £450k would get you something very nice round here in a village or on the edge of a town.

What about Crediton in Devon? It’s inland and therefore not so touristy but it’s near to Exeter and all its amenities.

This kind of thing?

It is.

I bet you can hear the A14 though. Huge numbers of lorries on the A14 to and from the ports. Sound carries at night.