Home Exchange in UK

I am considering offers for a home exchange in the UK next summer. I have
decided against staying in London proper simply for traffic reasons. I have
had an exchange offered for Wokingham, just outside of Reading, and
Spalding, in the East Midlands.

Wokingham is closer to London, which is good, but I don't know either area
well, and since we will spend 3 weeks in the area, I would really like some
input from others as to the merits of each.

I have 3 kids aged 12, 10, and 8 so proximity to regular kid interesting
stuff (swimming pools, parks, etc.) is important, too.

Thanks.

"Aramis" <porthos_jbm> wrote in message
news:QGVrb.6539$lK1.2037@news04.bloor.is.net.cable .rogers.com...
> I am considering offers for a home exchange in the UK next summer. I have
> decided against staying in London proper simply for traffic reasons. I
have
> had an exchange offered for Wokingham, just outside of Reading, and
> Spalding, in the East Midlands.
>
> Wokingham is closer to London, which is good, but I don't know either area
> well, and since we will spend 3 weeks in the area, I would really like
some
> input from others as to the merits of each.
>
> I have 3 kids aged 12, 10, and 8 so proximity to regular kid interesting
> stuff (swimming pools, parks, etc.) is important, too.
>
>

Spalding is in Lincolnshire and is a pleasant enough town but I'm not
sure I'd want to spend 3 weeks there.

Wokingham is withing string distance of London, Bath and a host
of interesting plaves to visit including Stonehenge and Avebury so
while not top of my list it would have to rate higher.

Keith

"Aramis" <porthos_jbm> wrote in message news:<QGVrb.6539$lK1.2037@news04.bloor.is.net.cabl e.rogers.com>...
> I am considering offers for a home exchange in the UK next summer. I have
> decided against staying in London proper simply for traffic reasons. I have
> had an exchange offered for Wokingham, just outside of Reading, and
> Spalding, in the East Midlands.
>
> Wokingham is closer to London, which is good, but I don't know either area
> well, and since we will spend 3 weeks in the area, I would really like some
> input from others as to the merits of each.
>
> I have 3 kids aged 12, 10, and 8 so proximity to regular kid interesting
> stuff (swimming pools, parks, etc.) is important, too.
>
> Thanks.

The town of Reading is a shithole. The only redeeming value is the
many trains to London. The area around Wokingham is leafy suburbia but
is rather congested with traffic.

Spalding would be less congested but not as easy to reach London.

It's a tough call. If I were you I'd keep looking for a better
exchange.

In article <QGVrb.6539$lK1.2037@news04.bloor.is.net.cable.rog ers.com>,
porthos_jbm (Aramis) wrote:

> I am considering offers for a home exchange in the UK next summer. I
> have
> decided against staying in London proper simply for traffic reasons. I
> have
> had an exchange offered for Wokingham, just outside of Reading, and
> Spalding, in the East Midlands.
>
> Wokingham is closer to London, which is good, but I don't know either
> area
> well, and since we will spend 3 weeks in the area, I would really like
> some
> input from others as to the merits of each.
>
> I have 3 kids aged 12, 10, and 8 so proximity to regular kid interesting
> stuff (swimming pools, parks, etc.) is important, too.

Neither is, frankly, a terribly exciting place.

Wokingham's certainly much better positioned for reaching a wide range of
sites interesting to visitors. It's also in a more built-up area whereas
the surroundings of Spalding are relatively rural, so "kid stuff" will
probably be easier to find around Wokingham. Shopping facilities are
likely to be better too.

On the plus side for Spalding <thinks a looooooong time...> you might find
it easier to meet people there; areas outside the southeast have a
reputation for being more friendly, which is partly deserved albeit a very
wide generalisation, of course.

It would also provide you with an opportunity to see a part of England
that's rarely visited by tourists, whereas from Wokingham I suspect you
would find yourself succumbing to the convenient but heavily-touristed
lures of London, Windsor, Oxford etc.

For the kids, Spalding is also close to the superb beaches of north
Norfolk -- better IMHO than any you'll find near Wokingham, and certainly
much less crowded.

Perversely, having thought I'd be trying to convince you to go for
Wokingham, I'm now tending toward Spalding!

In article <QGVrb.6539$lK1.2037@news04.bloor.is.net.cable.rog ers.com>,
porthos_jbm (Aramis) wrote:

> Wokingham, just outside of Reading, and
> Spalding, in the East Midlands.

I forgot to say in my other post: Wokingham is *much* more convenient for
both Heathrow and Gatwick airports. Spalding is quite a distance from any
major international airport.

That probably won't be a deciding factor, but it's worth bearing in mind
when you plan your trip. I certainly wouldn't want to drive from any of
the major airports to Spalding with three kids straight off a
transatlantic flight.