My dream is to live in an English village (fit in, cliquey)

[Trimac20]

Particularly one with both rolling farmland and mysterious oak woodlands and ancient forests, historic sites like churches, cathedrals, Roman ruins.etc.

What is small town English village culture like? How easy would it be for an Australian to fit in? Would I ever really be accepted, if I actively became part of the community? Or would I forever be an outsider? I know I couldn't expect to be treated like those who lived there for many generations, but would I be embraced as a villager? Is there a problem of too many city-dwellers moving to the countryside for lifestyle reasons?

[albion]

My county West Sussex has everything that you have on your wish list.
I live in a small village a few miles from the south coast, because of the gulf stream we have very mild winters & palm trees grow here.
I'm sure you would be accepted in any village if you were going to live there full time. The locals don't take to people who buy a cottage just to use it for two weeks of the year.

[chilaili]

There are some stunningly beautiful historical villages in the Cotswolds (Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Warwickshire) but the majority of them are horrendously expensive to buy in due to the influx of "city folk" who bought their weekend country cottages (way back when they had money) and drove up the prices. They also have issues with things like lack of public transportation and amenities like supermarkets. HOWEVER they are gorgeous, in the midst of some lovely countryside and the natives are usually pretty friendly. Make sure to participate in the pub quizzes, help out with the annual village fête and buy a round a few times

Kingham is very lovely, as is Snowshill, Broadway, the Slaughters and Bibury. Cirencester has lots of Roman history. Check out more information here:
Intro (http://www.the-cotswolds.org/top/english/intro.shtml - broken link)

[littleandoften]

One of the most fantastic features of England is its thousands of country villages. I have lived in several countries and several different types of lifestyle, and for me an English village not too far from a coast and within an hour or two of a big city is the ideal lifestyle. It won't suit everyone, but it sure as hell suits me.

Any region will do. I guess there are some regions of England that have a greater frequency of really fantastic villages than others. The advice above is all good. Mine is in Kent...big village green, two pubs, tiny store and post office, pretty church, rolling mainly wooded hills as a backdrop. Yet we're only a 15 minute drive from a huge supermarket, 50 minutes from a gigantic shopping mall and I can be in central London in 90 minutes from my front door or even Paris in less than 3 hours. Absolutely no crime at all either.

People fit in around here, almost instantly, if they are friendly, open, get involved in local stuff. There are plenty of residents who are not originally from the village (me, for example!).

[Hengist]

Well,after years of living in towns and cities, I finally achieved my dream of living in a village. The shop is a little overpriced and limited in its range, but we use it to help make sure it doesn't disappear. There are two pubs, the rougher one being more welcoming and less cliquey than the posh one, which does great food and is worth visiting for that. The bus service is not great, and I object to just about everyone except me travelling free while I pay £6+ for a twenty minute return fare, but again it's a case of use it or lose it. Unlike the village I grew up in people are quite welcoming of newcomers, and with a child it has not taken long to be accepted. If the gossips are to be believed half the village are having affairs with each other, but I don't really care for gossip. There is a little anti-social behaviour from bored teenagers, but nothing compared to the nearby towns. My daughter loves the huge recreation field, but may feel her social choices are limited when she gets older. That's fine by me as the local town pubs are a war zone at weekends. That's it really. Most of my workmates prefer the hussle and bustle of living in town, but I am now of the mindset to take things easier, so if you have had enough of the high life feel free to come and join us, just don't expect too much in the way of excitement.

[rudy.viae]

There are countless villages in the UK that are absolutely gorgeous. I lived in one in Hampshire for several years. I am from France but I can say I NEVER encountered any difficulties at all with the people in the village or in the city nearby. I have fabulous memories of how kind and welcoming everyone was. I think like anywhere in the world, people can be wary of newcomers who only come for a few weeks or months, but anyone ready to be part of it and willing to adapt is usually welcome - I don't think it's a question of where you settle, rather it is a question of who you are and how respectful you are of the country, culture and people around you.

[tiger_greeneyes]

Originally Posted by Trimac20

Particularly one with both rolling farmland and mysterious oak woodlands and ancient forests, historic sites like churches, cathedrals, Roman ruins.etc.

What is small town English village culture like? How easy would it be for an Australian to fit in? Would I ever really be accepted, if I actively became part of the community? Or would I forever be an outsider? I know I couldn't expect to be treated like those who lived there for many generations, but would I be embraced as a villager? Is there a problem of too many city-dwellers moving to the countryside for lifestyle reasons?

I live in a beautiful area called the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire. It's classed as an AONB - area of outstanding natural beauty. It's an ancient forest, and the largest in England. It's definitely got rolling countryside! There's plenty of historic buildings and ruins here too. One of the best is Tintern Abbey. The foresters are on the whole very nice and I very much doubt you'd find any prejudice. Brits usually love Aussies The forest also has low house prices because it's a bit of a commute to the closest city (Gloucester is about 14 miles) and that's where most of the work opportunities are. We have trains and buses so you'd not be cut off if you don't drive. You can check house prices on the rightmove website. If you centre your search on a 5-10 mile radius of Cinderford (which is pretty much central in the forest) then you will get to know it a bit. Any questions etc then by all means pm me, I'll be happy to help if I can.

[Jezer]

My advice would be to anyone moving to the countryside, don't assume people from big cities are smarter.

BTW, here's the view from my desk this morning.

[MaggieZ]

Oh how lovely! I would SO love to come live there but it's finding a job and be able to make a living that's the real problem, what with the economy...There are so many beautiful places in England alone but I'm afraid I'll just have to stick with a visit now and then..

[Marmadukes]

"My advice would be to anyone moving to the countryside, don't assume people from big cities are smarter.BTW, here's the view from my desk this morning."Here`s the view from my backstep every morning......