Anyone live in Chester ?

[minimex2]

Hubby has the posibility of moving to Chester for work and wondered what it was like for livery, schools, rented accomodation etc. Looking to go for approx 5 years.

Location of offices is CH4 9WW so looking to live / stable within half hour.

Any nice livery yards with assited DIY, nice yard with hacking, floodlight school and a bit of a social life ? How much approx is livery up there?

Which area's to live in or stay clear of?

Schools - for girls (secondary)

thanks in advance
xx

 

[Mare Stare]

Chester is a lovely city. It's about 30 miles from us and we go there a fair bit.

Can't help with any of the other stuff as I'm not a local. My farrier works between my area and chester and he says that you can tell when you are getting closer to Chester because the horses are so much posher. ( But that could be his way of saying that my horses are a ragamuffin bunch!)

I'd imagine livery would be quite expensive.

 

[whiteclover]

I live just outside on the Welsh border. Its a lovely place, cant tell you what livery's like altho I know of one yard just outside chester near Delamere Forest. Theres Delamere Forest to ride around which is really good. Kelsall Hill's not far and theres Somerford Park XC course and Southview Arena. Have a look on Cheshire Horse for more livery yards. Also theres Northop & Maelor not far that hold comps.

 

[minimex2]

Thanks,
Just to add, we have two hairy cobs, so we are not posh

 

[BlairandAzria]

I livery near frodsham which is about 15 mins north of chester and 35 mins south of liverpool.

Chester is a lovely city, beautiful buildings, nice shops, restaurants, things to do, friendly, safe, close to both manchester and liverpool if you want a bit more entertainment etc...

Its also very horsey, there are lots of livery yards around the chester area, however the further out you go the cheaper they become- ie north wales is alot cheaper than chester (same with house prices if you're looking to buy- a wales postcode is cheaper than a cheshire one) Also, dare i say it - there can be a slight snobbery among the 'cheshire set', which is less noticable the further out you go!

Where are you relocating from? If youre heading up north from the home counties or london area you'll find livery in chester much cheaper, however, in comparison with other cities outside of london you wont find it cheap.

Try http://www.cheshirehorse.co.uk/directory/livery_yards_cheshire.html for a list of livery yards near.

Have you looked at where youre thinking about living? beacause depending on where you look, you dont really want to be driving through chester to get to the yard-for example sealand road heading in and out of chester in the morning is bumper to bumper...

I have no personal experienc of these yards, but here are a few as an idea of what is around:

Folly Farm Equestrian Centre, CW6 9ES www.follyfarmec.co.uk (19 mins aways)

Swinford Stables, CH3 7JZ www.jfpoloacademy.com (approx 15mins away) eta- i think they do livery here, as well as polo.

Huntington Hall Equestrian, CH3 6EA www.huntington-hall-livery.co.uk (approx 8 mins away)

Holme Farm Livery CH2 4EN, www.holmefarmlivery.com (approx 9 mins)

Four Oaks Livery, CH1 6LH www.fouroaksfarm.co.uk (approx 14 mins)

kelsall would also be a good yard to look at.


As your offices are towards the east of chester proper, if it was me, with regards to housing and areas to live i'd look towards tarporley / kelsall/ delamere areas, there are some gorgeous villages and houses, beautful countryside, lots of livery yards, tons of hacking (especially if you can get near delamere forest) on cheshire lines, hunts are local as well as polo in the summer...however its not a cheap place to live!

Pm me if you would like any general info, i'll try and answer any questions you may have, (or find someone who can!)

 

[Foxy girl]

Hi BlairandAzira summed up the livery/horsey side pretty well - I live about 15 mins from Chester and used to live in the town centre. Steer clear of Blacon and aim for the outskirts - as BlairandAzira said, Tarporley is lovely and great for riding (very horsey round there) - also try out towards me - Farndon which is great has a couple of small livery yards and the Huntingdon one is between Chester and Farndon. Also nice are Pulford, Rossett (into North Wales now) and Malpas, Shocklach - also very horsey but not sure on livery yards.

Schools - loads of private secondary schools which have good ratings, or there's a Queen's grammar type school, and Bishop Heber in Malpas which is well thought of and big.

It's a great part of the country to live - easy access to the rest of the UK and some beautiful riding!

 

[lannerch]

Recommend Huntington hall ( if they have spaces ) it is the best!