Location, Location, Location

[IanM]

I remember when they were building it.... so of the locals were not happy. When I was first relocated with work to Swindon, I was staying at the "Caste & Ball" in Marlborough High Street. Really pleasant place to be..

 

[balaclava]

Thanks again for the helpful replies. We plan to drive down (200 miles) to Marlborough next week. There is a Red Row development just south of the town and I note the golf club is north west of the town. Is getting through / around the town a problem? I note an earlier post suggesting Bradford on Avon, we did spend some time last year looking in that area and getting through some of the narrow streets of the town would be an issue if it was a daily event.

 

[SocketRocket]

Thanks again for the helpful replies. We plan to drive down (200 miles) to Marlborough next week. There is a Red Row development just south of the town and I note the golf club is north west of the town. Is getting through / around the town a problem? I note an earlier post suggesting Bradford on Avon, we did spend some time last year looking in that area and getting through some of the narrow streets of the town would be an issue if it was a daily event.

It's a bit narrow through the centre of Bradford but if you know the town you dont need to go that way. Another place to consider is Cirencester, a good train service from Kemble to Oxford and a nice golf club.

Or, Malvern. Beautiful location and town with nearby rail links to Oxford and Bristol, great Golf Course ' The Worcestershire'

 

[balaclava]

My neck of the woods if i can help you. Marlborough is a decent enough track, its hilly! but most courses round here are!
In fact, looking at your requirements, my town Newbury is pretty well in the middle, 40 mins to oxford straight up A34 or 1hr to Bristol on M4.
QUOTE]
Having done a bit more digging whilst Marlborough seems to tick most of the boxes I am wondering whether Newbury might have easier living (facilities) - can the two towns be compared i.e. is Newbury (the town/area) just like Marlborough but a bit bigger ?

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I'll also chuck Minchinhampton into the mix as a possibility? Lovely little town and location - and three great golf courses- two in the main golf club and one on the common land.

 

[PNWokingham]

Has somebody moved Bristol? ??

you could live the Swindon side of it - good roads and say 35 to 45 mns to Bristol and 20 to Oxford - not the worst compromise. Courses get less interseting the nearer Bristol you get - although Bowoood is nice - but that would put the timing more the other way, so still a middling type option!

 

[PNWokingham]

I've only been there as a visitor, but my impression of Frilford wouldn't fit the friendly "easy" description.
With so many high profile tournaments and undoubted corporate events, I'd guess it could be quite difficult at times as a member.

No proof of that though so happy to be corrected.

3 courses and the Green a much shorter easier walk than the others

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Newbury is a nightmare for traffic,
Marlborough OK...…...I used to love driving the A4 from Newbury to Avebury it runs south of the M4 and is usually very quiet.....just watch out for the odd motor bike races.
Wroughton may be another village to consider, just south of Swindon. Mind you the Wroughton Silver Band was actually quite good despite their name.

 

[Rooter]

Newbury is a nightmare for traffic,
Marlborough OK...…...I used to love driving the A4 from Newbury to Avebury it runs south of the M4 and is usually very quiet.....just watch out for the odd motor bike races.
Wroughton may be another village to consider, just south of Swindon. Mind you the Wroughton Silver Band was actually quite good despite their name.

You live here do you? The only reason to drive in Newbury is to visit Newbury, the bypass is there for everyone else. If you have driven through, its because the main road is closed, which is rare. You should have had no other reason for driving through! so either that, or your view is outdated.

Marlborough is maybe perceived as slightly 'classier' however, its a very small town with not a huge amount of stuff, so you would be travelling to Swindon or Newbury a lot IMHO.

Newbury is a decent-sized town, yet retains a small-town feel. regular markets, rivers, lots of countryside right at your doorstep. I have lived here for 41 years so it can't be that bad!!

Traffic is actually wildly improved. We had a bypass built in the early 2000's so DFT may be going back a bit for his nightmare traffic stories.

It can get a little sticky at peak hours, its a small town with a river and railway (under an hour to Paddington) that dissect the town, so there are limited ways to go north-south, however, it is wildly improved!!

House prices probably similar, Marlborough may be slightly more, Newbury is still not cheap though! happy to help if you want a heads up on certain areas. like any town across the UK, there is always a couple of places to avoid!!

 

[backwoodsman]

You live here do you? The only reason to drive in Newbury is to visit Newbury, the bypass is there for everyone else. If you have driven through, its because the main road is closed, which is rare. You should have had no other reason for driving through! so either that, or your view is outdated.

Marlborough is maybe perceived as slightly 'classier' however, its a very small town with not a huge amount of stuff, so you would be travelling to Swindon or Newbury a lot IMHO.

Newbury is a decent-sized town, yet retains a small-town feel. regular markets, rivers, lots of countryside right at your doorstep. I have lived here for 41 years so it can't be that bad!!

Traffic is actually wildly improved. We had a bypass built in the early 2000's so DFT may be going back a bit for his nightmare traffic stories.

It can get a little sticky at peak hours, its a small town with a river and railway (under an hour to Paddington) that dissect the town, so there are limited ways to go north-south, however, it is wildly improved!!

House prices probably similar, Marlborough may be slightly more, Newbury is still not cheap though! happy to help if you want a heads up on certain areas. like any town across the UK, there is always a couple of places to avoid!!

Ì think recall it being in the news a little bit

 

[Doon frae Troon]

You live here do you? The only reason to drive in Newbury is to visit Newbury, the bypass is there for everyone else. If you have driven through, its because the main road is closed, which is rare. You should have had no other reason for driving through! so either that, or your view is outdated.

Marlborough is maybe perceived as slightly 'classier' however, its a very small town with not a huge amount of stuff, so you would be travelling to Swindon or Newbury a lot IMHO.

Newbury is a decent-sized town, yet retains a small-town feel. regular markets, rivers, lots of countryside right at your doorstep. I have lived here for 41 years so it can't be that bad!!

Traffic is actually wildly improved. We had a bypass built in the early 2000's so DFT may be going back a bit for his nightmare traffic stories.

It can get a little sticky at peak hours, its a small town with a river and railway (under an hour to Paddington) that dissect the town, so there are limited ways to go north-south, however, it is wildly improved!!

House prices probably similar, Marlborough may be slightly more, Newbury is still not cheap though! happy to help if you want a heads up on certain areas. like any town across the UK, there is always a couple of places to avoid!!

I have been into Newbury town centre twice in the last two years, both times the [off peak] traffic and the traffic system were dreadful.
It may be fine if you live there and know which lanes to chose..... but not for me.

 

[Rooter]

I have been into Newbury town centre twice in the last two years, both times the [off peak] traffic and the traffic system were dreadful.
It may be fine if you live there and know which lanes to chose..... but not for me.

There has been a lot of pain over the past 2-3 years in terms of improvement works, but I can assure you the new changes are really very good. Look forward to your visit next year and hope you are pleasantly surprised by the excellent traffic flow.

 

[Rooter]

Ì think recall it being in the news a little bit

I used to drive past Swampy on my way to work every day!

 

[SteveJay]

I was a member at Wrag Barn for a few years until i moved away recently. The course has matured and is one of the best in the area now, and has superb facilities - a range, great short game course and a nice friendly clubhouse. Members are great too. I joined as a newbie to the area and was warmly welcomed. I would definitely have a look there if you end up near swindon.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

There has been a lot of pain over the past 2-3 years in terms of improvement works, but I can assure you the new changes are really very good. Look forward to your visit next year and hope you are pleasantly surprised by the excellent traffic flow.

That is good news, hope the angry locals driving manners have improved as well.

 

[Rooter]

That is good news, hope the angry locals driving manners have improved as well.

Look out for twats in oversized Volvo 4x4's....