Considering Henley/Marlow area, Petersfield or Winchester for a family move

[Infoseeker123]

Hi,

I’m currently living in SW London with husband and our 16 month old daughter, and expecting second child in a couple of months. We want to make the big move out of London and based on commute times, (slightly) more house for money, and my obsession with outdoors/ water lifestyle we are considering Henley/ Marlow area, Petersfield and Winchester.

Those who know the areas, it would be great to get any honest views on these areas - pros/ cons/ general vibe/ where is best for family in 30s who love the outdoors ?

Also open to other nearby areas which are nice (green/ near tidal water) and manageable with commute (Liverpool street twice a week). Prefer town/ bustling village with good community vs big city. Not keen on big urban traffic filled places.

Thanks!

Have you considered Twyford?

You haven't said your budget but I assume from SW London it's fairly healthy.
There's lovely country round Petersfield and Winchester, Petersfield is cheaper, the commute to Waterloo is slightly longer but it's got very good shopping for a small town. Winchester has more going on.

Petersfield only has one train line, whereas I suspect you have many options in and out of London.

When that one train line is buggered, which happens a good deal, you have no other choices.

Henley is lovely but connections are not that good. You’d be heading to Reading and changing I think. I second Twyford actually. Goring?

The commute from Henley and Marlow to London is not easy (change at Reading). Of the two, I would prefer Marlow, myself.

Marlow is lovely. Watch you don’t creep towards High Wycombe. What is your budget?

Petersfield and the surrounding countryside lovely. Into Liverpool Street what about somewhere like Malden a creekside town nearest station Chelmsford or Wivenhoe or Maningtree both have stations.

Agree both are a horrible commute but there is actually no direct connection between Henley/Marlow and Reading other than the bus in the case of Henley. Trains from Henley only go to Twyford (and intermediate stations), and trains from Marlow only go to Maidenhead (and intermediate stations). Unless you get the Lizzie line you’re pretty much guaranteed to not get a seat from Twyford/Maidenhead as well.

These are all quite different! Whilst Henley & Marlow are geographically close they are different with one being in Bucks and having the 11+ system and the other being in Oxfordshire, one having a (small) theatre and things

I live in Marlow and commute to Liverpool St 2 x week. I drive to High Wycombe and get into Marylebone then tube from Baker St to Liverpool st. Some of my neighbours who commute to the City go via Elizabeth line from Maidenhead but I prefer the former. Marlow is perfect for families with great schools.

Winchester is beautiful. Doesn't take long to get out of the town and into the countryside. Lots of different foodie places and oldy-worldy pubs. House prices will be mad though and the one -way system will drive you mad if you need to get across town in under half an hour. also they are working on the Winnall junction of the motorway and it won't be finished for a good 3 years so people need to find new ways of coming in and getting out. Schools are good. Not sure what age your kids are , and it's very easy to get across most of the town on foot. People are saying theres a drugs problem but honestly I reckon that could be anywhere these days. My mum's GP surgery is good. Say if you have any other particular questions and I might be able to help..