Somerset - nice areas to live?

ns777ns

I live in Frome, and it is very nice. Close to Bath and Bristol, and good rail links to London either from the town, or from Westbury (10 mins away).
Lots of independent shops in the town too.
Also lots of green spaces for walkers.

JennyW_2

agrinnall wrote: »

I think you need to make more of an effort to work out what you need out of the move before asking us for recommendations on a specific area - simply saying you want to move from somewhere (we don't know where) to random counties really isn't the right way to achieve anything. Every county in the UK could fit the requirements you've given us so far - what are your reasons for having selected Somerset/Gloucestershire so far?

We want to move somewhere more rural and with family in Surrey, didn't want to move hours away. My husband needs access to an airport and in Somerset you seem to get a bit more for your money as opposed to Dorset and could get back to see family in a couple of hours. We currently live in Berkshire and feel its too residential/built up so would like to get away to more space.

JennyW_2

Davesnave wrote: »

Unless you're a twitcher or seriously into coarse fishing, you might want to give the Levels a miss, due to their propensity to collect water.

What are The Levels?

Davesnave

JennyW wrote: »

What are The Levels?

Well....I Googled 'Somerset Levels' and got this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somerset_Levels

and this:

http://www.visitsomerset.co.uk/explore-somerset/towns-and-villages/somerset-levels-and-moors-p500493

but this might be more use:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-21607474

DYOR

agrinnall

Thanks for the extra info. It might help to know where your husbank needs to fly to, in case some airports serve the destination(s) better than others.

I've used Autoroute to draw a 100 mile radius around Guildford, which should let you get to see family with a couple of hours travel on a good day. That covers pretty much the whole of southern England with the exception of Cornwall and much of Devon. To the west I would say Somerset or Wiltshire might be best, and going further north from there, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire or Warwickshire. The counties adjacent to London may not be quiet enough for you, and the other south coast counties (Dorset, Hampshire) might be too expensive, so looking north of London you could consider Northamptonshire and Cambridgeshire, although having to travel round the M25 may put you off.

So there's a pretty wide choice available to you, which to me suggests that to narrow it down you still need to firm up your selection criteria, including budget, house requirements, type of location, access to facilities such as shops, culture, etc., etc.

more_money_for_me

I grew up on the Somerset/Devon border and know other areas too. A few pointers for you. Taunton being the county town has more of a shopping centre, and also mainline rail and motorway access. Lots of small villages around. If you want something really rural the Quantocks or Exmoor are very nice, but you get lots of lanscape and not many amenities, its a decent drive from these areas to either shopping, motorway or airport.

If you want to spend more why not consider North Somerset, lots of nice villages south of Bath, but good access to Bristol, Bath and motorways. Frome area might also be an option, quite a lot going on.

Alternatively if you like crystals, witches and leylines, Glastonbury and surroundings appeals to some, although we are back to the problem of being near the levels.

Somerset snobbery means I must still look down my nose at Bridgwater, although it has changed a great deal over recent years and seems to have lots of employment opportunities now if nothing else.

To be near Exeter you may want to look around Honiton, and the villages north of here towards the Blackdown hills, rural but close to the amenities of Exeter.

lil.smartie

Wincanton? right on A303 for Surrey & Exeter, A37 for Bristol

Kate

timbo58

To one of the 1st responders: agree Swindon can be a bit rough, however it isn't Somerset and never will be: it's barely Wiltshire!

There are plenty of decent villages and towns in Somerset, avoid Bridgwater, possibly Frome and do a lot of local research 1st.

Stockie

I'm in Frome and it's good round here, Shepton Mallet & Wells area are nice and easy to get to Bristol Airport up the A37, you might want to look at BANES area too like Midsomer Norton/Radstock but it gets pricier the closer you get to bath.
I'd personally avoid Glastonbury as it's s bit "weird". Street is a good area thou.
Avoid the Somerset levels if you don't like swimming, and North west Somerset if you don't like heavy traffic in the Summer.
Can't really comment on South Somerset other than Yeovil area which doesn't seem to bad.

advice_please_2

Somerset is huge
Again as above what are you looking for, town, semi rural, rural rolling countryside ?

As above Taunton the county town has all your shopping needs. Spend a day there knowing the facilities and then just do a search on distance from there in your budget I would say and then look further a field if need be