Places to live for off road running/biking

[longcoffeebreak]

Can anyone recommend somewhere for me to live with great trail running with my dogs and off
road biking from (very near) my (imaginary at the moment) house in a friendly town somewhere?

Low crime rate, beautiful accessible landscape and good community. But not constantly raining!!

But also within 30 or so mins of a decent size city for arts/independent film/fun things to see and do/work for me/my teenagers?

Sounds like anywhere near forestry tracks (spruce) would be good for you. Offroading without too much bumps.
Well there's tons of forestry here in Wales plus the National cycle path and the National coastal footpath (some of my hard core friends run parts of this)
Plus we never have rain barely ever.....

yes it does

Isle of Wight. Stunning countryside, some very challenging for hiking - see 'Walk the Wight'.

Portsmouth and Southampton on the doorstep for city life.

@MadamYouAreAdam I love Wales but can't deal with the rain! Abergavenny looks good and Monmouthshire - I know the east is dryer round Monmouth etc and the gorgeous Wye Vally but it's a bit of a push to Cardiff or Bristol from there isn't it??

@Nimbostratus100 not on a £400k budget

Forest of Dean 35-40 mins from Bristol?

The outskirts of bolton, the view is just at the back of our house . 30 minutes from Manchester, 40 from Liverpool , 90 minutes from the Lake District with an international airport 40 minutes away .
It's not perfect but the off road walking and cycling are great , it can be a bit wet but the countryside makes up for it and there's some great homes in your price range 😁

Hmmm, it’s not for you if you want hills, but what about one of the towns around Thetford Forest? Thetford itself is a bit rough (alright, very rough) but the forest is fabulous for biking and trail running. There are lots of places to park up and just head off into the woods, you don’t always have to pay for parking at High Lodge although there are some marked bike trails there.

It’s also a dry part of the country and the soil tends not to get claggy even when it does rain.

Forgot the photos OP

Honestly though we've had endless droughts the last few years in Wales you'd love it !
Joking aside Wales does tick most of your boxes but I get it if rain is a massive hate. It is friendly here and my glass recycling box was stolen a year ago and it's still the talk of the village now.
Sounds like you need to do a campervan trip round the UK with everyone!

Shrewsbury, or in the Shropshire AONB.

Hills or flatter?

depending on your answer I’d say Peak District (close to Sheffield and Manchester) or the New Forest. Peaks has great mountain biking as rough as you want and then also a number of converted old railway lines which are now trails. New forest also has great paths and trails.

callandar/Aberfoyle another option.

@MadamYouAreAdam I hope the disgraceful recycling box matter gets settled!!
Yes need to take a road trip - with my partners in crime...

Hope Valley in the Peak District would be good

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/85057239#/?channel=RES_BUY

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/126129695#/?channel=RES_BUY

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/130751873#/?channel=RES_BUY

If Perth feels too far north this will be worse, but Aberdeenshire is amazing - loads of trails, no need to worry about access, and being in the east is drier. Couple of pictures from one of my favourite runs attached, I often meet mountain bikers there too.

Definitely consider the Malvern - easy access to Worcester, Hereford, Cheltenham and Gloucester. Direct train to Birmingham in less than an hour. Lots to do in the town - good bars,pubs, microbreweries etc, and a lovely cinema/theatre complex. Aim to live in Great Malvern if you want to be in the midst of it all, or in West Malvern/Malvern Wells for the best access to the hills.

Or Bakewell. The Monsal trail is at the bottom of the road here www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/130062953#/?channel=RES_BUY

I did consider New Forest but either expensive or transport links are not great for my DEN son and not sure about Southampton it's so concrete.

I do like a hill and love the limestone in the bit of the peaks I went to last year. West Sheffield was suggested upthread.
Any town suggestions?

Wow am loving the suggestions and the photos

@emummy stunning

OMG they're beautiful 😍

West Sheffield is lovely but expensive. I see you mentioned Dore and Totley and they’re both nice areas. Also Millhouses. Dronfield to the south might be worth a look, I don’t know it but a colleague lives there and likes it.

Personally id go Hope Valley or Bakewell area.

Malvern

Another vote for the Peak District. Bakewell would offer all the things you're looking for.