Commutable locations to raise a family but also be close to the sea/river

[bonniekruger]

Our house is under offer and we are hoping to move somewhere where we will be closer to the coast or a river to be able to do water sports and other activities that are free or don't cost an arm and a leg. We're an outdoorsy family - 4 year old and 8 year old. We need to be commutable to London - +-1.5 hours one way.

Are there any suggestions for good suburbs/locations/towns/villages? Have been looking at Winchester but I have no knowledge about the area.

Also been looking in the Ipswich area but the high schools are an issue if you're closer to the coast. Also lots of new developments which in themselves is not a problem but there is quite a lot of them happening.

Any suggestions would be very welcome. We're originally from South Africa but children born here. We would like to explore a different part of the country from our usual Kent locations but would not rule Kent out if someone could convince me there is a lot to do in Kent.

Our kids do swimming, karate, tennis, cubs/squirrels so an area where there are good activities for kids along with good primary and high schools.

You will have more choice of decent schools in central Ipswich [Northgate / Kesgrave] for secondary and a reasonable population will commute to grammar schools in Colchester. A drive to Chelmondiston or any of the marina's on either side of the Orwell is about 20 mins. Felixstowe is 20-30 mins depending on local traffic.

If you are both commuting to London I would recommend trying to find a home within 10 mins of the station with a school within a short walk. It makes a huge difference to everyone's quality of life. You get a fair bang for your buck too which is nice. This is in catchment for a good primary and secondary school for example.
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/161584616#/?channel=RES_BUY

I can comment well having lived all over London and Brighton too. Can confirm Worthing is a great place if you want:
-A lovely quiet beach-
Beautiful countryside and walking nearby-
Friendly community, quite diverse and queer friendly
-Very good cafes restaurants pubs and bars (both traditional and also natural wines bars and small plates etc, craft breweries for a bit of pizazz)
-Two great cinemas and theatres
-Good schools
-Leafy parks
-Decent town centre with walkable shops
-Three train stations(!) and an easy enough commute straight to Victoria/East Croydon/Clapham
-Decent parking (especially compared to Brighton)
-And affordable homes! I bought my three bedroom house in a good area for only 30k more than my one bedroom flat in Brighton-For us it's been a no brainer and we love it, we're in our 30s and lots of our friends are following suit.
-Best areas: Check it out in person. Personally we're near the station on a leafy nice street, Tarring (West) is also desirable. But the best way to ascertain is to go and walk around

I can comment well having lived all over London and Brighton too. Can confirm Worthing is a great place if you want:
-A lovely quiet beach
-Beautiful countryside and walking nearby
-Friendly safe community, quite diverse and queer friendly
Very good cafes restaurants pubs and bars (both traditional and also natural wines bars and small plates etc, craft breweries for Brighton vibes)
-Good schools
-Leafy parks
-Decent town centre with walkable shops
Three train stations(!) and an easy enough commute straight to Victoria/East Croydon/Clapham, and Brighton of course
-Decent parking (especially compared to Brighton)
And affordable homes! I bought my three bedroom house in a good area for only 30k more than my one bedroom flat in Brighton- and for the price of a one bedroom flat in Zone 3 London.
For us it's been a no brainer and we love it, we're in our 30s and lots of our friends are following suit.
-Best areas: Check it out in person. Personally we're near the station on a leafy nice street, Tarring (West) is also desirable. But the best way to ascertain is to go and walk around.

I can comment well having lived all over London and Brighton too. Can confirm Worthing is a great place if you want:
-A lovely quiet beach
-Beautiful countryside and walking nearby
-Friendly safe community, quite diverse and queer friendly
Very good cafes restaurants pubs and bars (both traditional and also natural wines bars and small plates etc, craft breweries for Brighton vibes)
-Good schools
-Leafy parks
-Decent town centre with walkable shops
Three train stations(!) and an easy enough commute straight to Victoria/East Croydon/Clapham, and Brighton of course
-Decent parking (especially compared to Brighton)
And affordable homes! I bought my three bedroom house in a good area for only 30k more than my one bedroom flat in Brighton- and for the price of a one bedroom flat in Zone 3 London.
For us it's been a no brainer and we love it, we're in our 30s and lots of our friends are following suit.
-Best areas: Check it out in person. Personally we're near the station on a leafy nice street, Tarring (West) is also desirable. But the best way to ascertain is to go and walk around.

Look along the coastline between Portsmouth and Southampton.

Im between there and we have a sandy beach (when the tides out!)

train to London is 1.5 hours - quicker if you get it direct from Havant.

Random suggestion - Cirencester. Near to water park with lots of Watersports and a lovely Cotswold town with beautiful surrounding countryside. Good train connections from Kemble take 1 1/4 hours. And you’d get a good house for your money too.

Manningtree?

Also, somewhere east of Peterborough (for train) and west of Rutland Water for leisure