Cheltenham and surrounds-where would you live?

[bratnav]

Pretty high posibility we will be moving to Cheltenham during the summer hols for DPs job (touch wood) can anyone tell me the best areas to live in, also the best primary schools/any to avoid?

TIA

Hi - we live in Cheltenham and in fact will be renting our house out from mid-July in case you are interested!!! It's three bed, three storey town house with a play room, £1,300 pcm.

Where you live very much depends on your budget - Cheltenham house prices are based on school catchment areas. Therefore the expensive areas are Leckhampton, Charlton Kings and Tivoli. The good primary schools include Leckhampton, Naunton Park and our local, St James. The "better" secondary schools are Balcarras and Bourneside, and there is a good grammar school Pates.

The other area with good primary schools, and is cheaper, is Hatherley (Lakeside primary) and Up Hatherley. There are other good schools but not sure what they are called.

The places to avoid are really all up in the north of the town, although once you are up towards Bishops Cleeve it gets better again and the schools are good.

Sorry this may not be a lot of help, I am fairly new to Cheltenham myself (been here less than two years) so don't know that much apart from the area we live in. But let me know if you have any more specific questions.

My brother and sister-in-law live in Bishop's Cleeve, and love it. No kids (yet) but the local schools there all seem good
I think some of the schools around Hester's Way can be a bit rough, although the housing is much cheaper.
Leckhampton is gorgeous and expensive!

Thanks botters and clara, great help thank you.

Clara, where is your house?

Careful with Cleeve - there are some rough parts! Avoid the Saints (st pauls, st marks...) as they are not great areas. Charlton Kings is lovely. Bournside school is good, also Pates, dean close, Tommy Richies. If you don't mind being a little further out try Shurdington and Bentham for more Green areas. Some of Churchdown is nice and Chosen Hill is a good school there.

BIL and family live in Churchdown, and both their kids go to Chosen Hill, and they are happy with it. They've been living in Cheltenham for 9 months whilst their house was done out following flooding, and were living in Grace Gardens, which seemed like a very nice new development.

Bubblerock, are they primary schools?

Thanks very much for all the info

Hi bratnav - well just today we rented out our house. It's in the Park but it is a very expensive area. However I would definitely look around here and Leckhampton if you can afford it. Good luck!

How old are your DCs? Can advise on secondary schools/catchment areas if you need help (warning...secondary bit of a minefield!).Bubblerock is talking about secondary schools. Pate's is very selective grammar school, but there are also grammar schools in Gloucester (2 x girls and 2 x boys). Two very good comprehensives in Cheltenham - Balcarras and Bournside, also Chosen Hill between Chelt and Gloucs and Cleeve in Bishops Cleeve. All highly sought after.

Pitville

No idea about schools but beyoootiful houses.

I heart Pittville.

DDS are 4 (starting reception in September) and 6 (going into year 2) I was told a schoolcalled Holy Apostles in the centre of town is great?

Sorry if I end up wasting anyones time, they are now saying that the job may be based in Richmond (the Surrey one)