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Rural living

Looking to relocate to the countryside? Find advice in our Rural Living forum.

Original poster

Wanting to move rural but somewhere vibrant — doable?

191 replies

esgill · 26/02/2025 23:01

I grew up in a small artsy town in Dorset which I detested by the time I was a teenager — I dreamed of London and places where things were happening and I went there and then Edinburgh. Now it’s too expensive with a 17 month old and also I do remember some of the better sides of my childhood: making dens in the woods, swimming in the sea, feeling safe, a relatively decent state school, natural beauty etc.

We are looking for something and I’m not sure it exists:

-somewhere with natural beauty and nice architecture.
-somewhere vibrant — an essence of London, Edinburgh or big capitals in outlook and eateries etc
-community vibe
-affordable housing
-train links (I can’t drive — I have epilepsy). —ultimately, somewhere that doesn’t feel like the end of the road/a place you go to die. I feel very sensitive about this from my own upbringing.

any suggestions?

OP posts:
RampantIvy · 27/02/2025 14:46

Alnwick is not on a railway line. The nearest station is Alnmouth.

ShowAndGo · 27/02/2025 14:53

One factor that I think is never properly considered by the OPs of these sort of threads that in general, in the genuinely rural areas, there isn't the money sloshing around to sustain vegan cafes and quirky theatres. I live in a beautiful part of the rural Midlands, but employment is mainly agricultural or small town business, and family budgets are stretched, not least because council tax is high and skeleton public transport makes car ownership essential. Two restaurants (and several specialist shops) near me have opened and closed in the last year, not because they weren't excellent, but because they struggled to make the numbers work in the current climate.

Yoga, affordable housing, veggie food, and decent state schools, absolutely. But if you want the variety and affluence and architecture of a big city, you need to be within striking distance of a city, or in a community that has additional tourist money coming in - like Bali, I guess. Failing that, Abergavenny/Hay on Wye (for Cardiff) or Berwick/Selkirk (Edinburgh/Newcastle)?

Powderblue1 · 27/02/2025 14:54

Lincoln is a great place and great train services

ChocoChocoLatte · 27/02/2025 14:57

North Berwick

justasoul · 27/02/2025 14:59

Llantwit Major is a lovely small town in a rural location, with interesting architecture and by the sea. It has schools, doctors, dentists, a leisure centre, tennis, football and rugby clubs, lovely little shops… a (beautiful) train ride away from Cardiff, also bus services to surrounding towns. More affordable than Cowbridge but only 5-ish miles away, 20 minutes on the bus. Downside is that the buses are not very frequent, but I guess that’s probably true for most rural locations. I believe the train service to Cardiff is hourly.

TurtleBarnacle · 27/02/2025 16:40

BarnacleBeasley · 27/02/2025 14:17

I was going to go with Derbyshire as well and suggest Cromford. It's a bit arty, has some nice shops and cafes, schools look okay, pretty easy to get elsewhere on the train, especially as DCs get older.

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Yes, Cromford is also lovely. We looked there too but found our perfect house in Belper!

TurtleBarnacle · 27/02/2025 16:41

Powderblue1 · 27/02/2025 14:54

Lincoln is a great place and great train services

Agree! I grew up near Lincoln, it's a great city.

Spidey66 · 27/02/2025 16:51

I love in Frome, it might tick your boxes.

Spidey66 · 27/02/2025 16:54

Spidey66 · 27/02/2025 16:51

I love in Frome, it might tick your boxes.

I live in Frome, not I love in Frome! I leave that to the tree huggers in Glastonbury!

Sillysoggysheep · 27/02/2025 17:03

esgill · 26/02/2025 23:33

I sort of feel you can — like Ubud in Bali has lots going on — events, community stuff, yoga, vegan cafes, world class cafes, an international crowd — but feels like a small pretty town. Glastonbury has a bit of it but might be a bit too alternative for everyday.

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Glastonbury is definitely too alternative and doesn't have a train station. Castle Cary might meet your brief. Wells is stunning, historical, has lots going on but no train station.

adayinlondon · 27/02/2025 17:04

another vote for stroud

Paddleboardsandironingboards · 27/02/2025 17:07

BarnacleBeasley · 27/02/2025 14:17

I was going to go with Derbyshire as well and suggest Cromford. It's a bit arty, has some nice shops and cafes, schools look okay, pretty easy to get elsewhere on the train, especially as DCs get older.

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I'd say Wirksworth is probably a nicer place - Cromford is really just a junction on the A6 and a great bookshop. Heavy traffic and a lot of lorries going up to the quarry. Belper nicer than both I think.

TurtleBarnacle · 27/02/2025 17:27

Paddleboardsandironingboards · 27/02/2025 17:07

I'd say Wirksworth is probably a nicer place - Cromford is really just a junction on the A6 and a great bookshop. Heavy traffic and a lot of lorries going up to the quarry. Belper nicer than both I think.

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Belper is definitely the best, not that I'm biased of course...

I'm just home from a walk around the river gardens and past the Horseshoe Weir, which I really love. If only someone would just turn the East Mill into an art gallery and shops it would be perfect!

Original poster
esgill · 27/02/2025 18:16

Thank you for the helpful responses! Budget: more affordable than Edinburgh and London city centre. So, to begin with renting, preferably no more than £1200 a month for a 2-3 bedroom home. We’d like to but eventually.

Having been to Hebden Bridge, Glastonbury, Findhorn and Frome — yes that’s the vibe I’m thinking. Outward looking, rural and vibrant with things going on and community. Findhorn is a bit harder to reach though. I grew up in a house on its own in the woods so thinking more small town/village than hamlet/middle of nowhere but still rural — nice country walks and nature.

OP posts:
Spidey66 · 27/02/2025 18:24

@esgill we're currently renting a 2 bed towards the edge of Frome for 1200 pm. Although it's on the edge, Frome is small enough that it's still walkable to the town centre. We're in the process of buying a 3 bed semi closer into town for 300k.

I don't know if you need info on schools. I don't have kids so can't advice much, except to say the schools are first, middle and secondary rather than primary/secondary.

There's certainly lots of walks here, our dog is loving it!

The disadvantages are it's not very diverse....we moved from London and it's very noticeable. Also the public transport isn't anyway like TfL! Taxis can be in short supply. The shops are lovely but there are things you need to go to Bath or Trowbridge for, eg there aren't any shoe shops except for limited supplies in the supermarkets.

itsjustthewayitwas · 27/02/2025 18:26

Spidey66 · 27/02/2025 16:51

I love in Frome, it might tick your boxes.

What are the pros and cons?

HhalloNine · 27/02/2025 18:26

esgill · 27/02/2025 18:16

Thank you for the helpful responses! Budget: more affordable than Edinburgh and London city centre. So, to begin with renting, preferably no more than £1200 a month for a 2-3 bedroom home. We’d like to but eventually.

Having been to Hebden Bridge, Glastonbury, Findhorn and Frome — yes that’s the vibe I’m thinking. Outward looking, rural and vibrant with things going on and community. Findhorn is a bit harder to reach though. I grew up in a house on its own in the woods so thinking more small town/village than hamlet/middle of nowhere but still rural — nice country walks and nature.

Having been to Hebden Bridge, Glastonbury, Findhorn and Frome

So are you thinking, not these?

If so why not?

It would help to narrow down the huge list of other places.

ErrolTheDragon · 27/02/2025 18:28

WinterFoxes · 27/02/2025 14:30

I thought Ambleside was like this when we visited. Great cinema, restaurants, a book store, very pretty. Sporty stuff to do on the lake. Probably overrun with tourists all summer though.

IME it's pretty overrun with tourists most of the year.

Crikeyalmighty · 27/02/2025 18:38

Well I would say Bath - but I don't know your budget- one persons affordable is another's extortionate -

Crikeyalmighty · 27/02/2025 18:40

Ah saw your budget now - Bath will be too high - you might just about get Frome which isn't far away but only just -

Lifelover16 · 27/02/2025 18:41

Northumberland.
vibrant towns
rural villages
forests
beaches
Newcastle

notacooldad · 27/02/2025 18:42

Already been mentioned but my first thought was Hebden Bridge, although it's not as great as it used to be.
I read the community page on face bookas I live in neighbouring Tod and it's gone downhill a bit. Quite a few of my friends and colleagues are looking at moving out.

notacooldad · 27/02/2025 18:44

I thought Ambleside was like this when we visited. Great cinema, restaurants, a book store, very pretty. Sporty stuff to do on the lake. Probably overrun with tourists all summer though.

IME it's pretty overrun with tourists most of the year.
Definitely and not only the walkers, climbers and cyclists but crowds going for nights out especiallystag dos. It can get pretty lairy, especially in spring and summer!

Hobbesmanc · 27/02/2025 18:44

notacooldad · 27/02/2025 18:42

Already been mentioned but my first thought was Hebden Bridge, although it's not as great as it used to be.
I read the community page on face bookas I live in neighbouring Tod and it's gone downhill a bit. Quite a few of my friends and colleagues are looking at moving out.

I was just about to post Todmorden. It ticks a lot of boxes. Lovely albeit occasionally damp scenery. Lovely little shops. Places to eat. My in laws had to move out to sheltered accom last year and they miss it.

Hoppinggreen · 27/02/2025 18:46

Hobbesmanc · 27/02/2025 18:44

I was just about to post Todmorden. It ticks a lot of boxes. Lovely albeit occasionally damp scenery. Lovely little shops. Places to eat. My in laws had to move out to sheltered accom last year and they miss it.

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Probably cheaper then Hebden as well