Relocating to Somerset

Moving to the country is a big decision for any family. Finding the right area – and the right school – is exciting but also a daunting prospect. Our Admissions team is often asked for advice and tips for nearby travel, culture, estate agents and more by families looking to relocate nearby. Here is some of the information that we think you might find useful to know.

Why Somerset for an Escape to the Country?

Perfectly placed in the heart of the West Country, Somerset is within easy reach of London and the Midlands. Bristol and Bath – not to mention Taunton, Yeovil, Bridgwater and Frome – offer multiple business, sporting and leisure opportunities, and a vibrant arts scene.

Somerset boasts some glorious countryside, including the Mendips and the Quantock Hills, as well as 30km of coastline, including Weston-super-Mare, close to Sidcot School. A great quality of life is easy to find.

 

Culture

Somerset is home to arguably the world’s most famous music festival, Glastonbury – but also caters for those who prefer a lower key event, such as Somerstock. If comedy is more your thing, the Wells Comedy Fest is a ‘must-see’, as is Bristol’s thriving comedy scene. Bristol’s wide array of museums and galleries provide fun for all the family, while those interested in history and architecture will value a trip to the Roman Baths (dating back to AD43) or Bath Abbey.

Staying Active

It’s easy to lead an active lifestyle in the countryside. Visit Somerset publishes a list of walking routes that include options of varying length and ease, while our nearby Mendip Activity Centre (with which we do a lot of our School caving and outdoor activities) offers dry slope skiing, tobogganing, kayaking, outdoor frisbee golf, archery, abseiling, and ancient woodland to explore. Perhaps you’d like to join the National Trust’s Top of the Gorge annual activity weekend, at nearby Cheddar Gorge?

Travel Links

We are very well connected, with international airports at Bristol and Exeter, the M5 motorway, a main trainline to London (1 hour 30 minutes) and the A303 that takes you past Stonehenge. Coaches and buses to major cities are also easy to find – for up to date travel information, visit www.travelsomerset.co.uk. Bristol Temple Meads station is only around 25 minutes away in the centre of Bristol centre.

How to find Sidcot and Sidcot Transport

Property around Sidcot School

We welcome students from a range of neighbouring villages and towns – including Winscombe (in which the School is based), Axbridge, Blagdon, Portishead, Wedmore, Wells, Chew Stoke, Ubley, Clevedon, and more – all of which offer family homes, while still being easily accessible to the larger towns. We have day students, weekly boarders and flexi-boarders from Bath, Bristol and the surrounding villages, while full boarders join us from around the UK.

The local area has a number of new developments including Woodborough Grange and Mead Fields.

Estate agents in the area include:

Rightmove is also a valuable online property search website.

If you’re looking for short-term places to stay in the local area, you might consider

 

Business Opportunities in Somerset

For the most up to date statistics, key economies and areas of investment in Bristol, Bath and the West of England, please see the Invest Bristol + Bath website: www.bristolandbath.co.uk.

 

Why Sidcot School?

At Sidcot School, we encourage independent thought, and curiosity is a way of life. We aim to educate the whole person, to equip our students with practical and personal skills alongside their academic qualifications (of which we are justifiably proud). Our teaching staff use imaginative teaching methods to encourage students to see learning as an exciting, creative journey in which everyone can take part.

In keeping with the ethos of our Quaker founders, Sidcot students actively participate in social and ethical subjects such as peace, sustainability and social responsibility. Our Centre for Peace and Global Studies brings 21st century Quakerism to life, encouraging pupils to engage with global issues such as human rights, social justice and care for the environment.

We offer a flexible approach to boarding and our School motto is to ‘Live Adventurously’ – offering our students the opportunity to challenge themselves. This is evident through opportunities like PASS – our Wednesday afternoon spent outside of academic lessons, during which students choose from a wide range of activities such as caving, skateboarding, tree climbing and many more.

There are plenty of opportunities to visit, why not contact our Admissions Team to find out more!