Stamford, Oakham, Uppingham, somewhere else?

[hopingforapeainapod]

Hi all, we currently live in Oxford and are considering moving so that we can a) get more for our money and b) be closer to my parents who live close to Newark. Ideally we are looking for somewhere with good state primary schools / private secondary schools, and not too remote / quiet as we want to make friends with young kids!

Rutland seems to tick a lot of boxes, but would love to know more about the area before we visit/look around. Stamford looks great and I love the idea of being able to get the train to London or Cambridge occasionally but it is very expensive - are there any nearby villages we should look at? Is it worth paying a premium to be in town or is driving in fine?

I’d also love to know people’s opinions on Oakham and Uppingham, or if there’s anywhere else we should be considering… we have a toddler and a dog so ideally like somewhere with nice walks, maybe a pub or shop in walking distance! I’d like more going on (eg cinema etc) but DH is happier with a quieter lifestyle if it means we can upsize…

thanks!!

I would recommend Stamford and Oundle as top two.

If I were to rank it would be Stamford, Oundle, Uppingham, Oakham town-wise but I think if you have a car Id live in a beautiful village and use the towns then leave. House prices reflect. Stamford is a cut above, like a mini Bath. But unless you have a large budget, you won't be living in a Jane Austen house.

Stamford and Peterborough closer to A1 for Newark. And the train or A1 for London or Cambridge for a city out. It will obviously be quieter than Oxford but Im sure you know this.

Don't go too East it gets flat (Deepings) but between Oundle Stamford and Uppingham is beautiful countryside, Welland valley particularly. All the towns have private schools of differing levels, I know which one I rate.

If I were in your situation, I would find a village between Oundle and Uppingham or Oundle and Stamford maybe Harringworth, Duddington, Kings Cliffe, Apethorpe Bulwick, pop into Oundle or Stamford for Waitrose and weekend shopping . The countryside and villages are seriously magical, would think you're in the Cotswolds beautiful walks - be quick though, you might make a bit of money depending on what you buy as everyone has suddenly figured this out (I wish people had kept it hush) and Oundle, Stamford and Welland valley/northants are the new Cotswolds (apparently....). School-wise I can't help you besides for the privates.

If you need London Corby is v close (15 mins max) and 1 hr into st panc (or peterborough if you like LNER 47 mins into KGX). Peterborough is horrible my parents never use it, we use Cambridge if we want a city however that is rare, we mostly use London.

We lived in and around Oakham for 7 years. It is an odd place. They aren’t very trusting of ‘blow-ins’ -the name for non-locals.

The primary schools and the prep school have good reputations though. And obviously Oakham School. I taught at Stamford school which is lovely. The state secondary is Catmose College which is ‘outstanding’.

Lots of the villages are beautiful.

You talk of having a 2nd child. You will have to travel to either Leicester or Peterborough to give birth and for most of your antenatal care.
The hospital in Oakham is literally a cottage hospital.

We moved back down south and miss Rutland to a degree.