We can move just about anywhere in England, where should we go?

[MrsChimp]

DH and I are in a position now to be able to move just about anywhere, I have a job that has lots of opportunities just about everywhere and DH has a lot of flexibility now.
We are currently in London and want out.

We have 2 small DDs who are 6 months and 2.5, budget is around 1.25mil, possibly a little more for a 4/5 bed (4 bed and office or 5 bed). We'd like to be in a town with a train station, not too rural but definitely not a city. We are both from the south so while not against the north it's not top of our list.

Good schools are a must, ideally a good 3-18 private school, but we are flexible on that.

We want the town to be safe and ideally quite clean and not too big.

We have family in Cornwall and Norfolk but are ok not being super close to them!!

Counties top of our list are Hampshire, Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire but don't really have any towns in mind.

Anyone have any ideas of where we should start our search?

Salisbury or Winchester? Both mid sized (ok technically cities) with decent road links, train stations and easy access to countryside. Big enough to have services etc without having to travel too far. Both with Grammar/Independent schools.

Bath or cheltenham, they are both cities but small enough to be out quite quickly.

Taunton! Three excellent independent schools; train into London takes 1 hr 45 mins. Town is not that exciting but it’s a lovely place to live and you will get lots for your money.

Petersfield for a smaller place in Hampshire. Winchester if you want somewhere larger

S east wise, have you looked at Lewes? Deal? Rye?

Lots of pretty towns in W Sussex that would fit your bill. Safe with good independent schools,the kind of houses you are looking for at the price you're looking for, and close to both sea and country. Perhaps somewhere like Arundel?

(I am biased somewhat as I live in Horsham, which also fits the bill)

Fleet, Hampshire.
Petersfield is nice
Winchester.
My friend lives in Horsham and loves it.

Alton may fit what you want too

Market Harborough in Leicestershire is nice: small town, private schools within 60 miles, train station (trains into London approx 1 hour I think). Your budget would buy somewhere really beautiful ☺️

Salisbury, Lymington, Winchester, Lewes, Petersfield, Guildford

You may like Sherborne in Dorset. Has a station on Exeter to London Waterloo line. Waitrose one end of high street. Sainsbury other. Population 10,000.

What about Stratford upon Avon? It's my home town and I know it very well. Excellent private schools from 3 up, train station, beautiful countryside, the RSC if you love theatre, fantastic restaurants etc. It's very close to Warwick and Leamington Spa and only a 25 minute train ride to Birmingham for more culture. As it's close to the M40 its location is really good too.

It's safe and is great for families. 1.25 million would get you something like this:
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/140018162#/?channel=RES_BUY

or this:
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/144748409#/?channel=RES_BUY

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/144794987#/?channel=RES_BUY

I know Stratford's not technically the south, but its location makes it really accessible. PM me if you'd like any more information!

Agree that Taunton and villages are lovely & great for kids.

Not too far from Cornwall either.

Taunton looks great, this house and garden would be lovely to grow up in. It even has an annex https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/138431663#/?channel=RES_BUY

@TheNoonBell That house in Taunton 😍. It's fabulous and enormous!!

My first thought was Dorset - Christchurch?

Back to London. Moved out to Kent and regret it, it's like being back in the 70s.

The new forest. Lived here all my life and never want to leave.
Unlimited walking and riding.
Touristy and non touristy bits available plus the sea at the bottom.
What more could you want?

Definitely Cambridge- has all you listed going for it- plus it’s close to Norfolk and London - just 50 minutes to Kings Cross.

Top private schools, although it’s technically a city it’s more of a town in size. I love visiting family because there’s so much beautiful green space in the centre- including cows! It’s one of the most beautiful places in the UK imo and fast becoming a world class (very small!) city due to all the science and innovation.

The culture and diversity is ace- people from all over the world live here. The hospital is world class in terms of specialists (ok it’s still NHS so not perfect!). Jobs a plenty. Interesting mix of housing. Excellent museums.

Great dining options and pubs in the city and surrounding areas.

Cambridge city centre - idyllic!

Stamford

How about Shrewsbury or Shropshire?

What do you like doing? I think it will help to flesh out what you're looking for a bit more. It sounds like you're running away from the perceived downsides of London (am guessing crime, dirt and noise) but you really need to have something in the positive camp too.

Do you want access to nature? Culture? Sea? Mountains? Transport hubs?

Realistically assess how much time will be spent on your DH commuting to London (and where in London as it might dictate which railway line you want to live on eg coming into Paddington versus coming into Liverpool Street). Think about your DCs likely interests and how much driving that will entail.

You say you want a 3-18 school. Personally I'd want to have more than one school within travelling distance, as it's a long time to rely on a school being a good school and suitable for your DCs. I wouldn't want to feel trapped if you get to year 5 and things are going south....

For me personally I would go to York or Bath

Malvern!