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?

I wouldn't go to small if your used to London.

Bury St Edmunds, or Cambridge if you want a bigger town. But house prices are more expensive in Cambridge. Ely is another really nice town to. You'd be closer to family in Norfolk. Norwich could be another option if you want to be in Norfolk. I'd avoid Ipswich it's OK but not the best place to live.

Living in a village would be a bit of a shock after London so probably not the best option, plus you then have to drive everywhere all the time. Not just for school but kids clubs and any activities.

We both grew up quite rural so not too worried about the shock. We've only been in London 12'years or so each, it's not for us!!

Harrogate

The outskirts of Bristol, or maybea bit further east along the M4. Its 3 hours to Cornwall and 4 hours to Norwich.

Cheltenham

Between Reading and Oxford?

I've visited Taunton a few times. Admittedly not under the happiest circumstances, but being honest I've always found it a tad depressing and surprisingly expensive. But that's just my two-pennies' worth. Different strokes for different folks.

Personally since schools go up and then they come down and then they go up again, I'd make sure you have a few choices within striking distance.

In your circs, my choices to consider would be:

• Farnham
• Salisbury
• Bath
• Norwich
• Canterbury
• Broadstairs

100% - Taunton is a dump. Like Trowbridge.
Bath is Disneyland, very much an overpriced facade.
Cambridge is hot for jobs and very expensive, is that really the kind of place you want to live when you can live anywhere.
The New Forest, Cranborbe Chase, Chilterns, North Wessex Downs are stunning. If you want to be more disconnected head to the Welsh borders

This house is on one of the posh roads in Taunton, in walking distance of town and virtually next to Kings School.

Oi - Taunton is not a dump!

Stamford

Cirencester is Gloucestershire is lovely. Got relatives there.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/144163943#/?channel=RES_BUY

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/143541254#/?channel=RES_NEW

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/145373081#/?channel=RES_BUY

@RamblingAroundTheInternet That first Cirencester house is so lovely, it makes me want to cry. Ciren is a great shout - gorgeous town and stunning countryside.

Winchester? Bath?

I wouldn't call it a dump as such. "Nondescript" might be a better term.

I have spent a number of hours wandering the streets of Taunton, not by choice, and unlike various other places I have been to, it does very little to lift one's spirits. An odd pick if you have the choice of all of England.

Agree. If you’re going to isolate yourself that far west I would choose Exeter over Taunton everytime

West Berkshire? Nice countryside and villages, near Wiltshire and good 1 hour train links to London
Budget would get something like
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/141177035#/?channel=RES_BUY

Just in case you decide you'd like to be closer to London still, how about Buckinghamshire/Berkshire:

Marlow - https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/133875323#/?channel=RES_BUY - 4 bed + study - £1m
Beaconsfield - https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/139460291#/?channel=RES_BUY - 6 bed + garden office - £1.195m
Sonning Common - https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/141055541#/?channel=RES_BUY - 4 bed + separate office above garage - £950k

Good schools, both private and grammar around Marlow and Beaconsfield - you could probably do private primary and then transfer to grammar for secondary years if you wanted and the DC were capable.

I second the Marlow area - a great place for children and teenagers to grow up. Alternatively Bourne End, especially the beautiful Abbotsbrook estate.

Sherborne in Dorset. It has all the things you listed and is very pretty indeed as well.

Taunton is nice enough but sorry not as nice as Sherborne, Salisbury or Winchester.

Sherborne is a bit snooty but they will die off soon enough