Godalming - schools, community, healthcare/GP/hospitals

[desperatelyseekingnoone]

hi all
I'm looking into different areas in Surrey inc Godalming (research stage only).

We are a couple in our 30s hoping to start a family. We are looking to buy a family house in Surrey (hopefully our forever home)

Godalming has been suggested to us and we did visit the little town area - very cute and historical, we liked it.

I am just wondering what families from Godalming think of certain aspects of life there?

• what are the schools like (primary and secondary to 6th form/college stages).
• What do young kids and teenagers have for activities and entertainment?
• how is the commute to London (we will need to go to the city once a week)
• what are the GP/hospital services like, esp for A&E and maternity? Is the Royal Surrey Hospital in Guildford the main one to go to?
• we are a British ethnic couple and we have grown up in diverse areas. Godalming seems mainly white British which is not a problem at all, but we are wondering about issues with race and racism, especially in the schools (something we are wary of from our own childhood experiences). Godalming seemed quite friendly and lovely to us on our visit, but just trying to suss any deeper issues.

I would really love to hear from you if you're currently in Godalming or lived there before.

Thanks so much!! :)

Hi @desperatelyseekingnoone

I wrote you a long reply last night on my iPhone and then lost it! Grrr.

So ... we moved to Godalming over 22 years ago to start our family :)
It's very safe and friendly and we've enjoyed bringing up two children here.
So here's some answers based on my own personal experience (other opinions may be available!).
For context we are both white British.

• Primary and Secondary schools very good. Godalming college excellent (it's the local 6th form college). One of the best colleges in the UK for A-level results.
• Lots of bumps & babies, NCT type things on, toddler singing, stay and play etc. Not sure about teenagers, but there is a regular comedy club in the town, live music in the park during the summer, activities at the Wilfred Noyce centre including board game club, exercise classes. There is a gym in the town, running clubs, canoeing on the river, paddle-boarding, cycling etc. etc A lot of the schools offer after-school activities like learning Latin, self-defence classes, football, netball etc
• Commute to London is very good for a semi-rural town. It's around 40-45 mins from Godalming to Waterloo. Then all the tube lines/ Waterloo &City line. I used to commute to Baker St and also Brick Lane regularly and the journey can be done in 1hr 30mins if all is running well!
• GP services good. The usual pressures of getting appointments but they've moved a lot of things online which makes accessing a GP much easier. Royal Surrey Hospital in Guildford is the main hospital and I've always found them fantastic. Had both our babies there and trips with children to A&E for various things over the years. I was also in hospital myself recently and the care was good.
• As a white British person I obviously would be less aware of racism, but in my (I admit) limited knowledge I have never heard of it as a major issue. The schools are quite tough on bullying.
• Charterhouse private school is just outside the town and is very multi-cultural and we see the Asian/South-east Asian boys in town all the time. My sister teaches there and has never told me about any problems.

I hope this is helpful. We've found Godalming (on the whole) a very positive place to bring up a family. We also run a successful business and have made lifelong friends.

Firstly, I'm sorry to hear you were in hospital. I hope you are doing well now and feeling much better? And Thank you so much for your help and taking the time to write your reply. It is so very helpful!

Godalming really felt so lovely when we were there. We love the hilly nature of the place, and the town shopping area is so sweet and historical, people seem friendly.

We are originally from London but prefer the quieter towns and had enjoyed living in a village in the past. The combination of those experiences over the last few years have made us settle with town living as our forever area/home, with a family. There's so much to think about though (schools, entertainment and activities etc) - it's a real headache!

I did wish to ask: my husband loves football and has always been part of a friendly 5-a-side team wherever we have lived and I love writing fiction, reading/book clubs and yoga. I usually try to find groups to share my work with and have built friendships this way. I guess those are our hobbies. I'm wondering if Godalming offers these sorts of activities for adults, that you might know of?

I also hoped to find out from yourself where the "nicer" areas are in Godalming. The type of house we are looking for is semi or detached, but needs to be 3 bedroom (all good sized bedrooms, not boxed rooms) with 2 reception rooms, parking for at least one car and a good sized garden (although it's size is the one thing we can compromise). We hope to find something in the £600k region, although that would be the very top of our budget right now.

We don't mind being up to 1.5miles from the station either, just because we won't be in the city as much (once a week is probably likely). We just don't know where to start the house search and don't think the houses closest to town would come with the parking we seek (so we think anyway).

sorry, I should also add that I personally would really like to be closer to the town/centre just because i tend to enjoy working from a cafe, so walking distance (15-20mins because I love to walk!) would work well for us too. we just weren't sure about the parking situation.

Hi @desperatelyseekingnoone

I'm OK thank you for asking. I had a few tests under general anaesthetic and I was out the same day :)

If your husband loves football he will be able to find a 5-a-side team. Local side Godalming FC has a ground just outside town too he likes to watch footie. Also the cricket club is very popular as it has a social side, with a lovely pavilion cafe and bar.

There are writing and book clubs, also plenty of yoga and Pilates classes in the town. Plenty of social networking opportunities.
There are things you can get involved in like Rotary Club, Lions etc Festivals, also fetes, quiz nights, live music, raise money for local charities. If you have children, the schools become the social hub of your life and you easily make friends. I mentioned the music in the park, foodie festivals, Staycation etc

As for areas of Godalming (this is my own opinion so others may differ!) I don't like the Farncombe side very much, or the Ockford Ridge side or Aaron's Hill.
Farncombe houses are cheaper than Godalming though, but same-old problems with getting parked near your home.
Lots of new build housing developments at Ockford Ridge and Milford side of Godalming. Prices ranges are variable, but could be affordable.
Catteshall is OK-ish right by the river and 15 min walk to town. Mixed housing there. Parking not too bad depending what you buy.
The nicest part (and most expensive) is Busbridge but you don't get much for your money. Houses are around £800k-£millions. It's a good walk from town down the hill and through the trees, very leafy and peaceful.

Coming down into town it depends which road you look at. You might be able to find a 3-bed within walking distance of town, but parking is a premium. Houses with parking in town do exist but they'd be around the £600-900k level.
The Chalk Rd, Deanery Rd/Charterhouse side of town is worth a look.

For context, we've lived on the Ockford Ridge side (I didn't enjoy it so much), then moved to lovely posh Busbridge (I loved the countryside walks and the cute villagey Infant and Junior schools!) and then when our children were teens we moved down to town to be closer to buses and the station.

The best thing to do is visit the 'Ming 3 or 4 times and have a good walk around. Also register with rightmove and add your filters to get alerts for Godalming to see what kind of houses are available (and prices!). Go in for a chat with the local local Estate Agents too, and register your interest.

HTH!

Thanks again so much, and great to hear you are doing well :)

The areas you have provided (and your personal experiences) will be very useful when we visit Godalming next week. We are excited to explore. We will be comparing it to Woking as that's another area we are interested in. Guildford is too much of a student town for us, although very lovely, so we are passing on Guildford.

Enjoy your visit!
definitely take a walk down church street (cobbled street by the Pepperpot market house) and explore the lovely riverside park.

our son rents a flat in Woking and seems to like life there, but I don’t know it very well.
Happy house hunting 😊

❤

Ahem. My friend has a house for sale in Godalming you might like...!

It's a lovely town. Royal Surrey is great. My youngest was born there and they were amazing. Depending where you are there are two excellent doctors surgeries.

My brothers kids both went to moss lane in the centre of town. I occasionally went to fairs there. They both blossomed there. It's a small school so has a family feel to it.

I think senior schools there are a couple - Broadwater and rodborough. My brothers kids aren't that old yet. But I know parents from both who have no complaints. Though I would say there are quite a few private schools around too. Godalming college is supposed to be excellent.

It's also close to lots of lovely local places and the Surrey downs. You can even walk along the river to Guildford. (Don't do it in winter it is extremely muddy...!)

My bother and I are mixed race and I've never experienced any issues there. It's a very friendly place in my experience.

I know the area really well. Give me a shout if there's anything else you want to know!

I really appreciate your response and it's great to have your experiences. Thanks especially for providing names of schools, I can look them up a bit more and have some idea of the distance from a potential house we like. And Sure, I'd be very interested in seeing your friends property :) I'll DM you

@desperatelyseekingnoone I'm in a very similat boat with the difference that I am in my 40th and with a baby girl so the decision of where to move is really giving me anxiety ..did u choose to move there and if so in which area?

@sodthesodoff we went to see one house in Aaron hill by cala what do u think of that area? the house is brand new and would tick all the boxes ..I'm a bit concerned with the fact that I'll have to commute three times to London Victoria

Hi did anyone move here in the end? A friend has suggested it… we’d have a budget £600ish 3 bed can live without parking and a small garden is fine.