Moving to Wiltshire

[Countrymum84]

Myself (41) and my husband (42) are thinking of moving from Hertfordshire to somewhere around Wiltshire. We have a 5 year old daughter (currently in a private school but we'd potentially change to state if we moved) and have lived here for around 5 years. I have my parents living about 45 minutes away in Bedfordshire although they are divorced (they are 70 years old). We absolutely love areas like the Cotswolds, New Forest and the Jurassic Coast and Wiltshire is very central and has beautiful countryside. We're looking for a more rural lifestyle with a lovely community but still fairly good amenities (pub, cafe, shop, playgorund school etc).

My husband has his own business and works from home and only really needs to go into London once a month if that. More often he flies abroad. I also work from home.

I came across Mere and thought that looked ideal and the primary and nearest secondary school looked really good. The house prices don't seem to bad either - especially compared to Hertfordshire!

I was wondering if anyone has any experience living around these areas? Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

I relocated to east Wiltshire eight years ago. It’s a lovely county, lots of history and some beautiful landscapes. It’s not the Cotswolds, but it doesn’t have issues with crowds and tourism that you find there. If you have family in Bedfordshire I’d look towards the east of the county. Travel can take ages here as there are lots of rural A and B roads. Marlborough is a lovely town and about a 10/15 minute drive to Pewsey where the train to London takes an hour. There are some lovely villages around that area as well. I can’t comment on schools as I have very little experience of them. Public transport can be poor so be aware if you have teens. I’d avoid the bigger towns, Trowbridge and Melksham are busy but not the most attractive. Devizes town and the surrounding villages are ok, good luck with your search.

I absolutely love Devizes but have no idea about schools and I don't think it has a train station.
Despite all the changes in recent years it has retained that lovely small town feeling.

Even infrequently, Mere - London will be a hell of a flog by any means of transport.

Aside from that go for it if transport;s not an issue, It was for us so we went to West Berks, instead.

Thank you @charliehungerford that's super helpful! I did some research and the areas around Marlborough could be perfect!
@Nourishinghandcream I'd actually contemplated Deviizes before purely due to it being right in between my parents and Dorset. That's good to hear it's lovely.
@JamesClyman that's an interesting insight about getting to London. Travel isn't a huge issue but I would like to feel we had the option.

It's nice round here! We live rurally 'in the villages' outside of Devizes. We moved here over 20 years ago and are just now thinking about moving more 'urban'. We're looking at the Pewsey area outskirts, but Devizes too. There's a lack of big roads which I like very much, but sometimes getting through places like Marlborough or Devizes can be a bit slow.

Mere is cute but there’s not really anything there.

Look at Market Lavington, which is near Devizes, it has two primary Schools and aa secondary school.

Has a shop and a pub, a thriving community and real village feel.

Dauntsey private school is at West Lavington which is a mile up the road.

How about Bradford on Avon. Train links to Bristol and London. Big enough to have things going in but small enough to feel reasonably rural too.

I would like to move to Wiltshire too. I’ve heard Bradford on Avon has horrendous traffic problems though. That’s something I’m seeking to avoid.

I’m in Devizes.

There’s no trains but the bus services are really good. It’s a cute little town. Nice historical buildings, plenty of independent shops and restaurants/cafes.

It’s not perfect, but what is?

@sbplanet oh that's interesting what's making you want to want move urban?

We live in a village on the outskirts of Hitchin which is a relatively small town does have quite a lot going on so I'm thinking of a similar sort of set up - but more in the Wiltshire/Somerset area.

@abathofmilkwithladydi yes I did wonder if this might be the case. I would like a bit of hub like we have now.

@Megsdaughter thank you I will!

I used to live in Mere (about 8 years ago)
The primary school is very good. However, theres no secondary & very very little for children to do. Extremely limited public transport so as your child gets to their teen years it's even more isolating.

The locals are often long standing residents, if your face fits then thats great but my experience was of a very 'set in their ways' & old fashioned. There's certainly no diversity!
I used to work in the pub so interacted a lot with locals.
There's a co-op but nothing else shopping wise.
As another poster said, it is beautiful! But thats really its only selling point.

Warminster is a lovely town & depending on budget you can get a good feel of village life on the outskirts. They have the usual supermarkets etc. Over the last 5 or so years they've had a surge in lovely independent shops. Incredible coffee & bakeries too!
Excellent primary schools (& private nursery, primary & secondary)
Like any mid sized town, it does have it's odd rough area & teenagers being little shits but on the whole it's very safe.
Due to being a military town, its diverse but has a wonderful sense of community.
Oh & the park! It's the best around! Splash pad, skate park, tennis courts, football pitch, stunning lake & wildlife.

The town council put a huge amount into events & people travel from other towns to use/enjoy the facilities/events.

I dont live in warminster anymore due to various reasons, but I think it's obvious I'd move back in a heartbeat!

Thank you @Manchestermummax3 ! That's really useful to know. Where we live now is very diverse and there's lots to do for all ages I would say. I do want to be careful not to move somewhere just because it's beautiful especially for my daughter's sake.

That's good to know about Warminster. We plan to get an Airbnb around these areas in the new year to get a feel for the place. But I think you only really get an idea by talking to people who've lived there like you and especially people who have relocated there and can compare.

I’d consider looking nearer Salisbury area (or
one of the many villages around). Direct trains to London quite frequently and take about 1.5 hours.

Bristol/Bournemouth/Southampton airport all within easy distance. Gatwick/Heathrow a drive but manageable and we usually fly from Gatwick when we go away.

You will be on the closer side of Wiltshire to travel back to see family in Bedford (we have family that neck of the woods so yes it’s doable).

Lots of secondaries including two grammars and loads of primaries both in Salisbury and the surrounding villages.

New forest is close by, as is the beach and the Jurassic Coast. Cotswolds bit more of a drive but still doable.

A couple of things really. Mostly we're in a semi and I'd like to be detached, these tend to be cheaper nearer to 'town' (we're a bit poor! ;) ). We've been here 21 years, we love it, but I fancy a change. But also it would be nice to be a bit nearer to a few shops and takeaways - apparently Marshalls Bakery in Pewsey is fab! :D There's a train station in Pewsey and some arty farty stuff in town, a leisure centre, a Carnival, plus it's not tooo big as I don't really like urban, lol.

@Countrymum84 And it would be nice to have a room big enough for a large Christmas tree, we need some decorations like these! :D
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/christmas/5456549-show-your-best-worst-tree-ornament?page=1

I live in Marlborough. It’s beautiful, but the transport links are awful, as is access to shops, except gift shops as women’s clothes.

Pewsey station is nearest but the trains are infrequent., so we usually end up going to Swindon.
Schools are good, but only one secondary, so options to move are 30 mins away. There isn’t much to do for older children and teens, except sport and going to other towns.

all that said, I’d never leave. It’s a lovely community, lovely people and the landscape is just stunning.

I’d def visit before moving. Lots of people move here and are horrified by lack of taxis / Deliveroo etc

@marlboroughdweller oh yes Marlborough looks stunning! Do you know much about a village called Lockeridge? It seems the nearest secondary is St John's Marlborough with is rated "outstanding" so that's a bit of a draw!

I'm going to get a big list together for our visit(s) next year.

@sbplanet ah that's interesting it's cheaper nearer town. One of the reasons we want to move is that we think our budget will go further around that area. It's a good sign if you're looking to move but aren't going far!

@Countrymum84 I think some of the price differential is down to availability ie more in the town. But also we're in the AONB (as was called) and a popular area. Lockeridge is a nice little place, I've only driven through it, the parking is a bit tight on the main drag. Not fond of the pub's name, 'Who'd a thought it' but never been in it. There's an NT nature area there, to do with it's sarsen fields. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wiltshire/lockeridge-dene-and-piggledene

@Countrymum84 Lockeridge is stunning but very small. Public transport non-existent and an (on average) older population.

Marlborough is very pretty but the traffic is horrendous and only set to get worse as the town expands.

Personally (as a commuter) I would look at places nearer train lines. The surrounding villages outside Swindon, in the Chippenham area, the Wiltshire side of Hungerford, and/or stretching your boundaries slightly to Cirencester or Kemble would be easier.

Schools wise the primary schools are much of a muchness outside of central Swindon. St John's in Marlborough has a good reputation. The Ridgeway in Wroughton used to be good (not so sure now).

Private school options are more limited in the sense they tend to be at the very expensive end of the spectrum, but Dauntseys and Stonor are consistently good. And Marlborough College is, well Marlborough College.

If you on the Wilts/Glos border it does open up options for Grammar schools without too much of a horrendous commute for Yr 7s.

Do not underestimate the slow transport connections the further you go into the County. Add a good 30 mins into any rail routes as they are often running late. Public transport can be dire more generally, and it is getting increasingly difficult to get reliable taxis the further out you live.

Hi Devizes people 👋
Wiltshire has lots of lovely small towns - most do have traffic issues upon occasion and public transport could be better, schools are all alright - with a few clearly doing v well, such as Hardenhuish in Chipp and St John’s, and there are independent shops, local festival etc which make them lovely communities. I would have a good visit/drive around as a start, there is lots of choice!!

Another vote for the area around warminster. We live in a village just a couple of minutes drive away. They have the independent market now the council often arranges free activities with Wolt (ourdoor activity cebtre) in the school holidays. Longleat estate is just on your doorstep. Warminster school is lovely. It is also not far from Westbury which will gibe you direct trains to London.

I would to be honest look at somewhere like Newbury which I know is berks - we live in Bath so I would have suggested Bradford on Avon but I think it’s going to be a fag for you going back and a lot of east wilts is not great for the train if you need it - areas outside Salisbury too might be good for you - I like Salisbury - somewhere like Corsham might work too if you use the train at Chippenham - it’s attractive, well priced and only 17 minutes drive into Bath and on a great bus route

Tisbury is nice with excellent shops.
Devizes, Pewsey and Marlborough also nice but they are growing as there is a lot of house building going on.
There are trains to Reading and London from Pewsey (but there are sometimes delays and cancellations though I suppose that’s the same everywhere) with the wonderful station master Simon.
Theres beautiful scenery and walking all over Wiltshire.

Thanks so much everyone all your messages have been so helpful!
We went to visit Marlborough and the surrounding areas last week and we think there (or somewhere around there) could be just right for us. All the villages seem to have good primary schools and we'd probably look for somewhere in catchment area of St Johns to start off with.
We really liked the community feel even though it's quite a big place.
If anyone has any experience of those villages or experience of the schools in and around that area that would be great!