What is it that makes a housing development genuinely family-friendly? Ideally, for most of us, the homes will feature a flexible and practical layout with well-considered storage solutions and a decent garden where the children can play. It can be an added bonus if the development has its own green spaces or play area, too, for the kids to meet neighbourhood friends. Ideally there will be a good set of amenities in the immediate area to make day-to-day life easier, including shops, health facilities and well-regarded local schools. And most families also need to consider local commuter links, and what’s available nearby to keep everyone happy at the weekends and during school holidays.
With all that in mind, we’ve put together a selection of family-friendly developments across the South West.
Ladden Garden Village in North Yate, Bristol, Gloucesershire (Barratt Homes)
About 11 miles from the centre of Bristol, Ladden Garden Village has some shared ownership homes to suit first time buyers as well as larger properties to suit growing families. There are one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom options available, all with enhanced insulation and argon gas-filled double glazing to reduce noise and household bills, plus water saving taps, showers and toilets.
Surrounded by 80 acres of open space, this new community will also incorporate shops, a local centre and sports pitches, and once it’s completed it will have its own primary school and nursery to cater for families with young children.
Yate town centre is within walking distance, home to the Riverside Retail & Leisure Park and Yate Shopping Centre. Yate railway station is only two miles away, and the medieval high street of Chipping Sodbury is just over two miles away, known for its traditional pubs, independent shops, and places to eat and drink. The close proximity to Bristol means families will never be short of things to do at weekends or during school holidays. There’s a huge choice of shops, entertainment and attractions within easy driving distance, including Bristol Zoo Gardens; M Shed and Bristol Museum, We the Curious science centre, Brunel's SS Great Britain, Bristol Aquarium, and many others.
Prices: From £169,995 to £359,995.
Find out more about Ladden Garden Village at Barratt Homes.
Braid Park in Tiverton, Devon (Barratt Homes)
Just two and a half miles from the centre of laid-back Tiverton, and overlooking Tiverton Golf Club, this development is situated almost midway between Taunton and Exeter. Both are within 20 miles of the development and take around quarter of an hour by train from Tiverton Parkway railway station, which is four miles from Braid Park – making this an ideal spot for commuters.
The location has plenty more to offer, too. Families will find themselves within walking distance of the distinguished independent Blundell's School, and with a choice of local state schooling options too. Despite being surrounded by lovely countryside and with several country parks to enjoy at weekends, the area is also home to all the amenities needed for day-to-day living, including major supermarkets.
The homes incorporate numerous features to help make family life more comfortable and save on household bills – again, this includes enhanced insulation, argon gas-filled double glazing, and water saving taps, showers and toilets.
In leisure time families can visit Tiverton Castle, Devon Railway Centre and Tiverton Museum; go climbing at Wall in the Hall; or entertain the kids at Monsters Mansion's soft play – amongst many other options.
Prices: From £224,995 to £369,995.
Find out more about Braid Park at Barrat Homes.
Birds Marsh View in Chippenham, Wiltshire (Barratt Homes)
This development of three- and four-bedroom homes, set in the large, historic market town of Chippenham, offers plenty to attract families.
It's set within 4.45 hectares of open space, and forms part of a wider community that will incorporate new children's play areas, allotments for growing the family's veggies, a local centre, and a primary school.
There are good, already-established schools close by too, and Chippenham town centre is only two miles away for shopping trips and other amenities. By train from Chippenham station it takes 10 minutes to get to Bath and as little as an hour and eight minutes to reach London Paddington. The location offers equally good road links. The M4 is four miles away, placing many major business hubs within easy reach, including Bath (15 miles), Swindon (about 20 miles) and Bristol (less than 30 miles).
There's plenty for families to do in the local area, including walks around the grounds of beautiful Lacock Abbey; visits to historic attractions such as Bowood House and Gardens or Corsham Court; and trips to educational museums such as the Fox Talbot Museum or Chippenham Museum & Heritage Centre.
Prices: £254,995 to £346,995.
Find out more about Birds Marsh View at Barratt Homes.
Park Farm in Thornbury, Gloucestershire (David Wilson Homes)
Situated within easy striking distance of Bristol and Gloucester, Park Farm is surrounded by countryside yet it's less than five minutes from Thornbury High Street, providing a good selection of local shops, restaurants, pubs and other handy amenities.
Park Farm is an impressive site for families, offering two- to five-bedroom homes to suit families of all sizes, set across six hectares – including 27 acres of public space. There are sports pitches and stream-side parks with walks and access to the Avon Cycleway. Thornbury Leisure Centre is less than two miles away, and Thornbury Golf Club is a similar distance. Other places to visit include Thornbury Castle, medieval Fishponds, Jungle Chums Soft Play Centre, and Old Down Country Park.
The local Ofsted "Outstanding"-rated St Mary's Church of England Primary School makes this an ideal place for families with young children, while commuters are ideally located for links to the M48, M4 and M5. Bristol Parkway railway station is 25 minutes away, or the drive into Bristol city centre takes about half an hour. In the opposite direction, Gloucester is about 35 minutes' drive and Cheltenham about 40 minutes.
Prices: From £262,000 to £682,000.
Find out more about Park Farm at David Wilson Homes.
Rosewood Grange, Hunts Grove, Gloucester (David Wilson Homes)
Just 15 minutes' drive from Gloucester city centre and about 25 minutes' drive from the elegant spa town of Cheltenham, Rosewood Grange offers a village location with a good range of schools nearby, superb commuter links, and large areas of open space.
There's a choice of two-, three- and four-bedroom homes to suit families of most sizes, and all of them feature open-plan designs and fantastic family areas.
Hunts Grove Primary Academy is within walking distance, Asda supermarket is five minutes' drive away, and families will be spoilt for choice when it comes for things to do locally. There's Hallmark Health Club close by, shopping in Cheltenham and Gloucester, and a whole host of other things to do in and around the city, including Watersports at SUP Gloucester; climbing at The Warehouse Climbing Centre; trips to educational attractions such as Gloucester Waterways Museum or the Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum; and activities at the wonderful WWT Wetland Centre at Slimbridge. The M5 is just five minutes away, making for straightforward trips into Bristol, about 30 miles away.
Prices: From £272,500 to £470,000.
Find out more about Rosewood Grange at David Wilson Homes.
Tarka Ridge in Yelland near Barnstaple, Devon (David Wilson Homes)
Ideal for growing families who need a bit more space to accommodate everyone, this collection of three- and four-bedroom homes will be perfect for buyers who want to spend plenty of time outdoors. From relaxing on the beach to getting adventurous with a range of outdoor pursuits, the area is full of opportunities to enjoy the best of North Devon. There's access to the Tarka Trail from the development itself for walks and bike rides, and the coast is close by, including Westward Ho! less than seven miles away, and stunning Saunton Sands, about half an hour away.
The village of Yelland offers a balance between a relaxed lifestyle close to the coast and the convenience of being near larger villages and towns with modern facilities. Just over a mile away, the large village of Fremington caters for many daily needs, while five miles down the road the busy town of Barnstaple has lots of shops, restaurants and other facilities. There are good rail connections from Barnstaple station, too, and practical road links to the A39 for road trips outside of the immediate area.
When it comes to schooling, most younger children living in Yelland attend primary schools in the neighbouring villages of Fremington or Instow, while secondary-aged pupils can choose from a number of options including Bideford College, Pilton Community College and The Park Community School.
There's heaps to do at nearby Skern Lodge Outdoor Activity Centre, and the local area is home to many other family attractions such as The Big Sheep theme Park, North Devon Falconry and Atlantis Adventure Park.
Prices: From £325,000 to £460,000.
Find out more about Tarka Ridge at David Wilson Homes.