North Somerset / Wiltshire

[balaclava]

We're seriously thinking about moving 200 miles south to live near our grandchildren (Nailsea).

Last week we went down to look at Weston Super Mare as a possibility and WSM golf club ticked all the boxes particularly with regards to the profile of the membership and social activities of the club. The problem is, type WSM into google and it gets some grim reviews!

Anyone know how bad / good life is in WSM?

Any suggestions for a suitable location with 45 minutes of Nailsea for retired couple (he off 17 she off 25)?

Thanks

 

[Doon frae Troon]

I had a friend who was a member of Brean, not the greatest of courses but a very friendly membership. Mind you that was 20 years ago and things change.
B&B is the obvious choice but I would imagine that is quite hard to join.

 

[balaclava]

I had a friend who was a member of Brean.

Thanks for that - we did take a look at Burnham on sea and Burnham & Berrow Golf Club. They spoke of golf club hosting championship events i.e. not for hackers like us. We didn't look at Brean and I think that was because Burnham & Berrow Golf Club spoke of having two courses and perhaps I thought Brean was that other course?

 

[Doon frae Troon]

They used to have a very active Seniors section [unless you are a young G'dad!]....seems like a good fit....I would check it out

 

[Robobum]

Check Clevedon out.

A few miles will get you to Bristol & Clifton or Long Ashton - both are excellent.

 

[Tab373]

Have played Weston about 10 times and its not for me. They had a problem where about 5 holes flooded a few years ago so member had to play 5 of the other holes again to make the 18. I thinks WSM has the highest population of retired people in the country so if that's what you looking for then great.Clevedon would get my vote but quiet hilly.oh and there is nothing super about Weston especially in the winter.

 

[balaclava]

Have played Weston about 10 times and its not for me. They had a problem where about 5 holes flooded a few years ago so member had to play 5 of the other holes again to make the 18. I thinks WSM has the highest population of retired people in the country so if that's what you looking for then great.Clevedon would get my vote but quiet hilly.oh and there is nothing super about Weston especially in the winter.

Thanks for the helpful post. The pro told me that the course hadn't closed on any day last year, they'd had some water one one hole but it was still playable. We're not great golfers and we don't need chamioship courses. Golf apart, Weston looked a little tired but so did Clevedon. The question I am trying to resolve is just how bad / good is WSM. Google comes up with stories of drugs rehab homes and drunken hooligans.

 

[HotDogAssassin]

It may be too far for where you are looking but Thornbury is just north of Bristol and is well worth a look.

 

[Tab373]

Thanks for the helpful post. The pro told me that the course hadn't closed on any day last year, they'd had some water one one hole but it was still playable. We're not great golfers and we don't need chamioship courses. Golf apart, Weston looked a little tired but so did Clevedon. The question I am trying to resolve is just how bad / good is WSM. Google comes up with stories of drugs rehab homes and drunken hooligans.

A golfing mate of mine is a police man in Weston area and he hates the place. Has one of the roughest estates in Somerset. Youth get drunk in the winter months as nothing to do so just cause trouble.perhaps try a village around Weston.

 

[Mary]

I wouldn't recommend living in Weston Super Mare, although I'm sure there are some nice villages not too far away. As Tab373 says, it tends to be be full of local chavs in the Winter, and OAPs from the Midlands in the Summer. I presume you know that the tide is usually out, and it's known locally as Weston on the Mud?

Did you look at Portishead? I believe that there has been a lot of waterside development there.

 

[balaclava]

Thanks for the suggestions. I suppose, like most things in life, it'll come down to a compromise. There is no golf club in Portishead, Clevedon is very hilly and Clevedon itself looks a bit tired, Weston looks like a nice course with a nice membership and property is reasonable but again the town looks a bit tired and then there's the tourists and the caravans. It's difficult!

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I've played Clevedon a lot and very much enjoyed it - but not played since they did major alternations some time ago now. Long Ashton isn't easy - and always had good reputation in Bristol area (15-20 yrs ago). Wells and Mendip were nice little tracks.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Thanks for the suggestions. I suppose, like most things in life, it'll come down to a compromise. There is no golf club in Portishead, Clevedon is very hilly and Clevedon itself looks a bit tired, Weston looks like a nice course with a nice membership and property is reasonable but again the town looks a bit tired and then there's the tourists and the caravans. It's difficult!

Weston is also a nightmare to drive into and out of on busy summer weekends