Looking for opinions on Wells, Frome, villages around Bath.

[GorgeousTulips]

Looking to move next year somewhere in Worcs/Gloucs/Somerset which in near a train station, good public transport preferably and with facilities nearby. Proximity to Birmingham and Surrey, around two hours travel from each by car or train. I want to live somewhere with a rural feel, but close enough to a decent hospital, shops etc so not too isolated. Looking for a quirky feel, independent shops, low crime, friendly people with a good community. I have never been to Frome or Wells, know Bath quite well and love the area but don't want to live in Bath itself. I know Stroud and surrounding areas well, but don't want to live in Stroud itself.

Budget is up to £800,000 for a three bed detached house. I have visions of living with no close neighbours, the sound of birdsong and church bells but maybe I'm being naive.

Wells doesn't have a train station and feels pretty isolated.

You wouldn't want to drive into Bath for the station. Traffic and parking atrocious.

Frome is certainly worth a visit for you! Sadly your budget is probably spot on.

Dursley in Gloucestershire is lovely, has a station, good for motorway links. Personally (and I am from over that way) I think Frome is overrated and not that convenient for transport but people seem to like it. Why don’t you want to live in Stroud?

I have family in the area and have visited several times. I love Frome and would live there in a heartbeat. Have you looked at Bradford on Avon as well?

Bradford-on-Avon may work. It has a station and is pretty. There is a canal for lovely countryside walks.

Isn't Wells where Hot Fuzz was filmed? I think it looks great but no train station that's a bummer. I'm from a lovely rural village, although not in your search area, just a word of warning against thatched cottages, check there are thatchers still working in the UK before buying one. Also check the cost!

Wells is a picturesque little city with the Carhedral and Bishop's Palace but regarding the High Street, not many independents - great for Fat Face, Seasalt etc.
Neatest large town with a station and large hospital is Bath, a good 45/60 minutes away.
Frome had a more quirky, arty, independent vibe about it along with the benefit of a station.
Can highly recommend estate agents Cooper and Tanner who have offices in both Wells and Frome for excellent service above and beyond.

Look at Bradford Upon Avon for small town, quirky shops vibe. Or nearby Freshford and Avoncliff for more rural but still with a station. All expensive but your budget would probably be ok.

I find it a bit tatty and depressing, though there is lots going on. Lots of drug problems and a divide between locals and Londoners moving in.

Fair enough, although would be surprised if there aren’t similar problems in Frome. I am not saying Frome isn’t nice but MN is full of people recommending Frome because it is trendy without knowing about other nice places on train lines.

BoA is indeed lovely but lots of people retire there so it has a different vibe.

I had heard Bradford on Avon has a lot of heavy traffic.

The streets are too narrow to cope with the volume of traffic at busy times. It is a very pretty town though.

I'd avoid anywhere that attracts lots of summer visitors.

As for church bells, well village life may sound idyllic but church bells may not just be on a Sunday!

I have a relative in Frome and wouldn't recommend it. A very ageing hippy vibe and drug problems.

What about Chippenham? Has a station, not too far from M4/A419, lots of nice villages and larger villages around eg Castle Combe, Box, Corsham.
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/149547299#/?channel=RES_BUY
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/148513946#/?channel=RES_BUY
Or Malmesbury? Also has a station
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/135071579#/?channel=RES_BUY

Frome is nice but train only stops at limited stations. You can swap trains at Westbury for main lines.

Warminster is lovely, feels rural but is big enough to have stuff going on. Lots of independent shops and about halfway between Bath and Salisbury. Lots of villages around too if you want more rural.

I came on to say Bradford on Avon, lovely place and minutes by train to Bath. I see you mention Worcs too, maybe take a look at Pershore or villages in the vale of Evesham. Bordering the Cotswolds but less £££.

Castle Cary has excellent rail links, very quaint little town (big village really) but frequent trains to London, Bath, Exeter, Bristol, Taunton.

Frome is totally overrated in my opinion, always seems rather shabby and tired these days, like many town centres. Bradford on Avon would be a delight if only the traffic didn't completely clog it up. We always avoid driving through it.
Warminster and the surrounding villages are underrated and written off because it's a garrison town. This keeps the house prices affordable so your budget would go a long way. It's halfway between Salisbury and Bath, has a station, a Waitrose, if that's important to you, a wonderful Park and is surrounded by beautiful countryside.

Frome sounds like it might be suitable for you.

Castle Cary or Bruton (and surrounding villages) also worth a look.

Malvern in Worcestershire. Lots of independent shops and a quirky friendly feel. Train station, links to B'ham and the countryside and villages bordering the town are beautiful and peaceful and rural.

Chippenham isn't very nice. But Corsham,Box and castle combe are lovely

Long term central Bath resident here: Where do you need the train to get you to (or is it just for ad hoc leisure)? Our local church is popular with bell-ringers and I think the local catholic church has just upgraded their clock chime. It does go on a bit!

Local villages are pretty expensive and it is a pain driving into/out of Bath, so you probably want to rule those (Bathford/Bathampton/Wellow).

We get a lot of families hoping to relocate to the Bath area and I advise any I meet to try Airbnbing for a week before signing up for a rural idyll.

Wells is lovely, but it is a trek to the nearest station. Approach anywhere near the Somerset levels or the base of the Mendips with caution due to (flash)flooding in heavy rain.

We have friends who really enjoy living in Frome but the train service is pretty sporadic.

As others have suggested, maybe look a little further east "near" Chippenham. If they ever get closer to reopening the station at Corsham we would seriously think about downsizing to that town.

There are some nice villages along that M4 corridor, just outside of the Cotswolds. Buses (except a few for schools) are pretty non-existent around here.

Hospital-wise in the area you have Bristol and Bath and then Swindon (so lots of Wiltshire patients are referred to Bath).

Hello OP, also a Bath resident & Madcats has provided an excellent summary!
I'd second looking at Corsham. A station there would be brilliant!
BoA is really lovely and well served, but when the traffic is bad there's no easy escape.
Maybe worth a look at Combe Down, edge of open countryside and easy access to Bath station. Housing stock is priced more reasonably there too.
If you do look out towards the edge of Bath, Batheaston/Northend is excellent for motorway access and a little community, doctors, vets, basic shops, river activities etc., & can cycle in to city centre/station in 15 mins. Also plenty of countryside on your doorstep.

If you're looking for church bells and space, then Frome might not be it. It has a good community feel (amongst the 'newcomers', not the locals...) but it's just a nice commuter town, with mostly 1970s semis for housing stock. It's still very popular, so is also likely to expand further significantly over the next decade.
There are a few nice villages around, my favourites are Nunney or Beckington, but not sure where that leaves your transport options.
I always loved Bradford on Avon too. It is a much prettier town and I love the river and canals there.

How about Lydney in the Forest of Dean? It's beautiful all round there and on the bank of the Severn.