Pamber Heath/Tadley
Discussion
Tadley's - a bit run-down and a typical small 'main-road' town that's sprawled out of a village when loads of planning was granted in the 70's and 80's... and the A340 is a VERY busy road as it's a major route between Reading and Basingstoke.
Mortimor(s) are good, as is Padworth area; if you can go west rather than south then Pangbourne is nice, as is Purley-on-Thames.
Mortimor(s) are good, as is Padworth area; if you can go west rather than south then Pangbourne is nice, as is Purley-on-Thames.
I've lived in Tadley for about 11 years, and it's quite pleasant really. The town itself doesn't really have much to say for itself, but you're within a stone's throw of Reading, Basingstoke or Reading for shops, and there are plenty of nice bits of countryside around, and things for the kids. If you have a slightly higher budget, then one of the surrounding villages would be even better.
My main reason for moving here was its location. It's pretty close to equidistant between the M3 and M4, so for my line of work it was ideal, as it gave me the flexibility to get to clients sites over a very wide area.
As for schools, there are a couple of good ones. The one in Tadley has got a good OFSTED score, and a good reputation but has about 400 children in, and class sizes are nudging towards 30. There is a much better one in Pamber End (just outside Tadley towards Basingstoke) which is really excellent. My sone just started there today, and it's a lovely village school, exactly what we wanted. Basically, stay towards the Basingstoke side of the town if you want to be in catchment for the better schools
My main reason for moving here was its location. It's pretty close to equidistant between the M3 and M4, so for my line of work it was ideal, as it gave me the flexibility to get to clients sites over a very wide area.
As for schools, there are a couple of good ones. The one in Tadley has got a good OFSTED score, and a good reputation but has about 400 children in, and class sizes are nudging towards 30. There is a much better one in Pamber End (just outside Tadley towards Basingstoke) which is really excellent. My sone just started there today, and it's a lovely village school, exactly what we wanted. Basically, stay towards the Basingstoke side of the town if you want to be in catchment for the better schools
Another HERE..! since the 1970's 
Pamber Heath is very nice, as are the surrounding Villages - Silchester has a great Primary school, but difficult to get kids in, unless you live in the village.
Tadley has a mixture of Old and New, Detached cottages from the early part of the century, MOD houses from the 30's - 60's, A bit of urban 1970 estate sprawl from London overspill, 1980 Housing association properties and Yuppie 1990's 5 bed detached.
Baughurst is similar, Lots of old houses, but a few more MOD.
Its got pretty much everything covered house wise.
A shame the infrastructure hasn't kept up. Services, shops and amenities - Try but fail miserably IMO.
Location is great though.
M3 = <10 miles
M4 = <10 miles
A34 = <10 miles
Reading, Basingstoke & Newbury <10 miles
Waterloo & Paddington train stations within easy reach (B/stoke + Reading)
Only ever 2 minutes from Open countryside. Walks, Forests, country lanes.
Pubs are nothing special - Pamber Heath has better ones.
There is an eclectic mix of People: Local Tadleyites - families from several generations(dids, Tinkers, Scrap metal merchants of old) Local Farmers/gentry, Basingstoke/London overspill, New world Chav's, professional workers, familes whos parents worked at The weapons base. As with any town, nice areas and those to avoid..
Let me know if you want any advice.
http://www.tadleyroundabout.co.uk/
Pamber Heath is very nice, as are the surrounding Villages - Silchester has a great Primary school, but difficult to get kids in, unless you live in the village.
Tadley has a mixture of Old and New, Detached cottages from the early part of the century, MOD houses from the 30's - 60's, A bit of urban 1970 estate sprawl from London overspill, 1980 Housing association properties and Yuppie 1990's 5 bed detached.
Baughurst is similar, Lots of old houses, but a few more MOD.
Its got pretty much everything covered house wise.
A shame the infrastructure hasn't kept up. Services, shops and amenities - Try but fail miserably IMO.
Location is great though.
M3 = <10 miles
M4 = <10 miles
A34 = <10 miles
Reading, Basingstoke & Newbury <10 miles
Waterloo & Paddington train stations within easy reach (B/stoke + Reading)
Only ever 2 minutes from Open countryside. Walks, Forests, country lanes.
Pubs are nothing special - Pamber Heath has better ones.
There is an eclectic mix of People: Local Tadleyites - families from several generations(dids, Tinkers, Scrap metal merchants of old) Local Farmers/gentry, Basingstoke/London overspill, New world Chav's, professional workers, familes whos parents worked at The weapons base. As with any town, nice areas and those to avoid..
Let me know if you want any advice.
http://www.tadleyroundabout.co.uk/
Edited by bridgdav on Monday 7th September 14:16
Dave, no idea how we haven't crossed paths...
I'm just outside Baughurst, and have nothing but bad things to say about the 'yooth' of the area. But that's because we've had bad times with one/some of them.
The area itself isn't bad, and Daves asessment of the area is pretty spot on. The Wellington does some good food, and everything else is pretty close. There we go really!
I'm just outside Baughurst, and have nothing but bad things to say about the 'yooth' of the area. But that's because we've had bad times with one/some of them.
The area itself isn't bad, and Daves asessment of the area is pretty spot on. The Wellington does some good food, and everything else is pretty close. There we go really!
Don1 said:
Dave, no idea how we haven't crossed paths...
I'm just outside Baughurst, and have nothing but bad things to say about the 'yooth' of the area. But that's because we've had bad times with one/some of them.
The area itself isn't bad, and Daves asessment of the area is pretty spot on. The Wellington does some good food, and everything else is pretty close. There we go really!
Don't you get gypsies too? I'm just outside Baughurst, and have nothing but bad things to say about the 'yooth' of the area. But that's because we've had bad times with one/some of them.
The area itself isn't bad, and Daves asessment of the area is pretty spot on. The Wellington does some good food, and everything else is pretty close. There we go really!
Burghfield and Mortimer are both OK. Mortimer would be my chooice of the two.
We currently live in Sulhamstead near the Police College, which is perfect for us. Only 10 mins from civilisation but after 6pm you wouldn't know it.
Personally, I'd go for one of the smaller villages rather than Tadley. As already mentioned, that road gets very busy.
We currently live in Sulhamstead near the Police College, which is perfect for us. Only 10 mins from civilisation but after 6pm you wouldn't know it.
Personally, I'd go for one of the smaller villages rather than Tadley. As already mentioned, that road gets very busy.
The BRG Chim could well be me - did it have spiders on it?
Local meets - no, never really had the time (and to be honest, only just found this forum!). Typically I'm moving out of this area in November or so...
As for location? The golf course is walking distance for me, as are both churches...
Perhaps we should start a Baughurst chapter of PH?
Local meets - no, never really had the time (and to be honest, only just found this forum!). Typically I'm moving out of this area in November or so...
As for location? The golf course is walking distance for me, as are both churches...
Perhaps we should start a Baughurst chapter of PH?
Holy thread resurrection.
Well we're close to moving on a house in Tadley! Does anyone know what it's like getting in to London on the train. I won't be commuting, but my role requires frequent access at times.
I'm guessing either use Aldermaston or Mortimer to Reading? Maybe even Basingrad... Typically I don't have to get in to London until 10am or so, so do any of these stations run out of parking?
Thanks!
Well we're close to moving on a house in Tadley! Does anyone know what it's like getting in to London on the train. I won't be commuting, but my role requires frequent access at times.
I'm guessing either use Aldermaston or Mortimer to Reading? Maybe even Basingrad... Typically I don't have to get in to London until 10am or so, so do any of these stations run out of parking?
Thanks!
Puggit said:
Holy thread resurrection.
Well we're close to moving on a house in Tadley! Does anyone know what it's like getting in to London on the train. I won't be commuting, but my role requires frequent access at times.
I'm guessing either use Aldermaston or Mortimer to Reading? Maybe even Basingrad... Typically I don't have to get in to London until 10am or so, so do any of these stations run out of parking?
Thanks!
Depends which part of London you want to get too. For Waterloo, as suggested, go to Basingstoke. Well we're close to moving on a house in Tadley! Does anyone know what it's like getting in to London on the train. I won't be commuting, but my role requires frequent access at times.
I'm guessing either use Aldermaston or Mortimer to Reading? Maybe even Basingrad... Typically I don't have to get in to London until 10am or so, so do any of these stations run out of parking?
Thanks!
For Paddington, drive up to Theale and get the train from there. Several "fast" trains go both morning and evening that will stop at Theale and then Reading->Padd or vice versa. It means getting a seat vs the much lower chance when getting on at Reading. Also parking for the day in Reading is around £17!
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