London to Lake District

[AvaJade]

Hello,

Just wondering if anyone had moved from London to the Lake District/Cumbria or similar. I have 2 girls aged 7 and 2 and would like to move up there this year but it's a big change of lifestyle and was wondering if anyone here had any advice on areas etc.

Thanks

I moved from Manchester to the lake District, I'm very pleased with my move but I think your post is too vague to be able to help much. What lifestyle do you like now what lifestyle are you going for, what are your must haves/would likes etc.
The lake District is a diverse place so some rough clue what is driving your move, what kind of family you are would help.

That's a pretty drastic move, OP. Have you spent much time in the lakes previously?
Are you thinking town/village or more remote? Would you be happy with a mixed year group school?
Do you need to be accessible to the M6 or mainline train for access to London or family?

Thanks for the replies! Yes sorry it is a bit vague. I would like a more laid back, outdoor lifestyle for us, fresh air, more space, sick of the hustle and bustle and crime of London. We visit the lakes every year but mainly spend time in Keswick, which is a little too expensive. I’ve been looking at Penrith, although not sure about the ‘Penrith pong’ if that’s still around? Also Cockermouth, and Kendal. I’m not sure about mixed year groups,I’d have to look into that one. Mainline train would be a benefit but not a deciding factor. As soon as it’s possible we want to spend some time in these areas but just wanted to see if there were any no go areas really.

Anything within striking distance of Kendal, Penrith or Carlisle will have access to West coast mainline. Mixed year groups only apply to small village school not larger town ones. My DC's school is mixed years teaching and is a shining example of superb teaching. There are benefits to mixed years teaching so it's not a bad thing necessarily. How old are the kids? Anywhere will have access to outdoors without too much difficulty, so friends if you want it right on your doorstep or not.
Don't know about the pong, I'm near Kendal and it's great though good restaurants are thin on the ground, but the lakes as a whole had a great food scene, and Kendal punches above it's weight for cultural stuff. Good community.

My DD’s are 7 and 2 1/2. Kendal does seem like a good option as it’s just slightly closer to London, and maybe not as busy as Cockermouth during the touristy times. To be honest I feel like anywhere up there will be better than Central London.

Yes, I’m not totally put off the mixed year groups, I think it could be a huge benefit to some kids. Will look into it just incase that does end up being the case, thank you!

If mixed years is done well it's great because there is no top of class or thicky (as kids say) learning is a continuum and the children can see the graduation to the future and how far they've come really easily so their own development becomes really achievable in the minds eye iyswim though I'm sure someone else would explain it better. There are few activities to do for that age group that don't involve outdoor pursuits compared to cities. Not many soft play centres, ice rinks, gyms, etc. But there are dance classes, the brewery theatre run a great programme of creative stuff from drama to pottery. So extra curricular activities are available but for spontaneous rainy day fun, there isn't so much, unless you're really outdoorsy so don't mind the weather or enjoy home hobbies.

I did this, but with another move within the SE in between. We are not far from Kendal. My dc were 6 and 9 when we moved here (now 12 and 15), and we love it.

I'd recommend the Kendal area in terms of accessibility as well as it just being generally lovely. You're near enough the national park to have easy access to the lakes and fells, but not inside it where the house prices are much higher. It's less out-of-the-way than the west near Cockermouth etc, and probably has more incomers.

It's true that lots of the primary schools have mixed year groups. Our village primary only had 35 kids when we arrived, but now has more than double that, as ithasbecomevery popular. The fortunes of small village schools can rise and fall quite rapidly.

Feel free to pm me if you are considering places in the Kendal/South Lakes area. Dh and I between us have knowledge of a lot of local schools.

Has nobody mentioned the weather yet? That's the only downside. I think I'm developing webbed feet.

Kendal. Good road and rail links. Good choice of housing. In ‘normal’ times a range of things going on. The schools are great. Genuine choice so you can choose what is important to you. I don’t think any of the primaries actually in Kendal have mixed age classes. It’s the smaller ones in surrounding villages that do (my son goes to one and we love it though, so don’t necessarily be put off by that)

One thing to be aware of: if you sell in London and buy a property in Cumbria, you risk quickly being priced out in London. House prices don’t rise as much here.

No advice about the Lake District, but having gone to a tiny village primary with mixed Year groups, I would avoid it like the plague from 7 up. It does not provide adequate teaching.

This is woefully inaccurate partyatthepalace. Your school may not have provided adequate teaching. That doesn’t mean all small schools are inadequate.

I would avoid it like the plague from 7 up. It does not provide adequate teaching.

That depends very much on the school (and the child). My dc did very well in their mixed year school. Admittedly it wasn't absolutely ideal friendship-wise for ds, as his year was particularly small, but no problem academically.

Does it have to be the Lake District ? What about Yorkshire instead ?
You can get very rural there too.

@partyatthepalace

No advice about the Lake District, but having gone to a tiny village primary with mixed Year groups, I would avoid it like the plague from 7 up. It does not provide adequate teaching.

Secondary schools don't do mixed years anyway, and yes, I think you were unfortunate there. Our school is amazing and their school leavers are very highly thought of.