Cheddar, Somerset - commute to Bristol and schools

[OW0809]

Hi

We are considering moving to Cheddar and wondered if anyone has lived there or of course still lives in Cheddar, that could share their thoughts about the area.

We have a 7 year old so schools are very important.

We would also need to commute to Bristol and not sure if Google maps suggestion of 40 mins is accurate?

Any other information that might be helpful would be hugely appreciated.

Many thanks

Hi OP I live near Cheddar and know it really well. Yes it is about 40 mins into Bristol - obviously it depends on which part of Bristol and what time you’re commuting, as the A38 and Bristol itself (love it but it’s a nightmare city for traffic) can be quite busy at peak times. Ditto the way home can take a while if caught at a bad time - there are very few overtaking spots on the main road in and out nowadays, for good reason, so you need to be prepared if you are travelling at peak times to give yourself a bit longer. If you’d be happy with a small village, Shipham is a good option as it’s within the school catchment but just that little bit closer to Bristol.

Schools-wise, you’re onto a bit of a winner as the First school, Fairlands and Kings of Wessex are good state options. The middle school system has been fantastic for my dc. Other villages in the Cheddar Valley are good too, apart from Shipham and Cheddar there is also Axbridge and Wedmore which have lovely community vibes and beautiful houses. Wedmore is in the Hugh Sexey middle school catchment - it was rated Outstanding while my dcs were there - not sure if it is now.

Shout if you have any further questions!

Thank you very much for this! Super helpful.

We haven't experienced the 3 tier schooling system before and it's very reassuring to know that your DC got on with it very well.

Is it still same curriculum as standard year 4/5 etc? (Sorry for a silly question)

Our only option is Cheddar due to the house that we have found/budget.

Would you know what the situation is with doctors/dentists in the area? Where we are now, it's next to impossible to get an appointment (dentist is private anyway and expect the same will be for Cheddar).

I also haven't heard a lot of good things about Weston-super-Mare but not sure how accurate that is?

We are too far to travel and explore but from our one visit we really loved Cheddar.

Is there much to do for teenagers? (Thinking ahead 🙈)

Huge thanks again

No worries 😊
AFAIK the Y5/6 curriculum is the same. It certainly didn’t affect either of my dcs negatively in fact I would say it was better because the middle schools have I think more specialist teachers and better facilities for those years than your average primary school. It also REALLY eased the transition to senior school because they’re so much more mature when starting in Y9. The Y5s are I believe still given a separate area to work and play in so the transition for them is also smooth. I really do think it is a brilliant system and it’s a shame that it’s been largely eradicated in the rest of the country.

There is a reasonably large medical and dental practice in Cheddar. Both are IMO pretty good. I have no experience of what it’s like elsewhere - any NHS healthcare is pretty crap on the whole these days - but my own experience has been fine both in getting appts and in quality of care. I’m afraid the dentist is now completely private though! It might be worth calling both practices to ask if there’s a waiting list for either.

WSM is far enough away 😄 but jokes aside it’s actually got some really good points. My dc used to love taking the bus in with their friends on a Saturday. The beach, pier, bowling, cinemas and restaurants (think Kaspas and Nando’s!) are great fun for teens. Some of it has been regenerated lately and it can be quite beautiful and cultural at times!

Cheddar itself doesn’t have a huge amount for teens, I’m not going to lie, but Weston, Bristol, Wells and Burnham are all accessible via limited public transport. Cheddar does have the gorge though and so plenty of opportunity for seasonal work. My dcs enjoyed hanging out with friends in Cheddar and never seemed to complain.

I lived in Cheddar for 24 years and went through all the schools there.

Travel to Bristol I would say would be about an hour, especially in rush hour and the inevitable road works.

Hi , thinking of moving to Bradley Stokes area, north of Bristol, any ideas, views on schools for 7 year old boy, other amenities that make it an attractive place, or suggestions of other nearby towns or villages? Many thanks 😊

Weston-Super-Mare is a bit tired. We're currently house hunting there and have a good choice of houses for our budget (up to £500k). On the downside for you is that schools aren't brilliant, we moved to Nailsea to get out son into a good school.

It can take an hour to get across Bristol from South to North so the time from Cheddar really does depend where abouts you're going..and what time.