Swindon/cricklade - advice appreciated!

[Mum2G]

Moving again!

dh accepting a new job in swindon, has anyone any reccomendations for nice villages near swindon, that have good mother and baby facilities, and good primary schools?

Cricklade has been reccommended - any good or bad areas around there that people know of?

Any other nice locations with good schools in or around Swindon?

TIA!

I am an outsider too (not from Swindon originally, infact have given up trying to think where I come from. Last 7yrs I have moved 7 times and think I am in Swindon for longer now)

I moved last year from Shaw/Ramleaze (never get my head around what the correct term was for where we were) to somewhere that does have a P, (walking distance to Lydiard Pk and has been described to me as being a hellhole but tbh can't see any evidence of that Anyway.. let's all hope the redevelopment of the centre works out.. I really, really want it too.. though I find the thought a bit scary because I have this feeling it could go all horribly wrong if the Council are not careful

Hi

just thought would let you know we went to look at priory vale (lots of house space, gardens smallish and not many two storey properties), purton (which was nice but didn't seem to have many shops or cafes or anywhere to go for a socialising session/wander with the buggy) and malmsbury (which was lovely, but may be a little far from swindon), 40 mins according to sat nav) when we went to Swindon for the weekend - next trip i think we will look at abbeymeads and wotton bassett - the search continues!

No positives about Marlborough?
20 minutes to Swindon. direct service to paddington from Bedwyn station 15 mins away (or mainline to london from pewsey. Waitrose. M&S. restauraunts etc etc. 5 min walk to contryside. leisure centre. active NCT. Fantastic local schools (with excellent SLC at junior school). also good public schools too - (St. francis, Marlborough college). regular busses to Swindon, Salisbury. nice villages within walking distance to town centre. Ducks on the river.
And we're not all crashing snobs - some of us are quite normal.

Wow what a write up! as it happens I have been scoring the properties in rightmove in that very area, will deffo add it to the list! What is SLC?

Specialist learning centre.
although see under primary section for what the school has just done to playtime.
all in all though - i wouldn't live anywhere else (except a warm deserted island.
The secondary school is about to be rebuilt (St. Johns community college) v v good school.

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Sheldon is generally thought of as the 'best' secondary school in Chippenham - 3 successive 'outstanding' Ofsted reports, on Ofsted honours roll of 'best of the best' etc. It had Ofsted again on Thursday as a matter of fact.

However, Hardenhuish also has a good reputation, and in fact a growing number of parents just let each child choose between the two since they're right next door to one another.

You're right, Cirencester is nice, but you're also right, that road to Swindon can be a nightmare.

Swindon is 'practical' in many respects, but many friends and relatives found it very soul-less and have moved to North Wiltshire and found the 'quality' of family life much better. I know lots of people who work in Swindon but choose not to live there. Each to their own though I suppose.

On the subject of the Ciren to Swindon road; the Blunsdon bypass is due to open at the end of this year, which should make the journey a lot easier.

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I have just found this thread & can't believe no-one has mentioned Fairford lovely little village (more of a town now really) lovely Toddler groups,great Primary School & an outstanding Secondary, Farmors.
It's about 25 mins from Swindon

Hi

Agree with alfielooloo, there are a great choice of schools when you head towards Cirencester. All the secondary school are FAB - Farmors, Kingshill and Deer Park. Great choice of primarys. If you love town live then Ciren is great or there are somelovely outlying villages. If you want anymore details then let me know. If you want to stay further east then look at the villages around Shrivenham, lovely too. Have a look at ashton keyenes if you want to stay closer to Swindon. Good primary school. Good luck!

After much hunting around we are now buying in Lakeside, so any mummies nearby up for a meet up when we move let me know