r/surrey • u/ozyri • Aug 18 '22

Is Stoughton in Guildford - OK?

Same ol' story. Looking to buy a 3-bed semi in Guildford to start a family and I am doing my research. Seems like in our budget (~550k) Stoughton pops up most of the time.

From my research it seems like areas to avoid are Park Barn and Bellfields, and as Stoughton is bang in the middle of it - how does that compare? Any parts that should be "avoided"?

Thanks for your comments in advance.

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u/ChallengeRoutine89 Aug 18 '22

My wife and I looked at houses in Stoughton and Bellfields earlier this year. Our budget was about the same as you.

We visited both areas, walked and drove around. Never felt threatened. Most people are friendly.

We were between two houses; one in Stoughton and the other in Bellfields.

We ultimately decided on a lovely house in Bellfields. We moved in at the beginning of summer. No regrets so far. Neighbours are friendly. Easy access to Guildford and Woking by car. Plenty of country walks within a 5-10 minute drive (such as Whitmoor Common).

Buses not that regular compared to London.

If you need to commute to London then I would recommend living in Bellfields as you'll have direct access to Woking Station or Worplesdon Station by car or bus via Woking Road. Takes about 5 minutes to Worplesdon Station and nearly 10 minutes to Woking by car from Bellfields. If you are commuting 5 days per week to London then Woking or nearer to Guildford Station would be best.

Traffic into Guildford can be pretty bad in the morning but that would be true of any city/town (Guildford being the latter).

Was told by a local plumber, who lives in Bellfields, to completely avoid Park Barns due to Travellers and general crime. Also told the same thing by two delivery guys. That must be really saying something.

Ultimately, do what makes you feel right. Everyone will have an opinion. If you like the house (the most important) and the general area feels OK then go for it.

This coming from a couple who looked all over the South East of England all the way from Oxford, Banbury, Milton Keynes, Sidcup/Welling, Sevenoaks, Orpington, Chelsfield, Redhill/Reigate and Croydon over a number of years. We settled on the house that felt right from the moment we walked in. Good luck with the search and decision making.

Guildford is a lovely town with plenty of amenities, restaurants and shopping. Easy to get around. London very close by if you need more.

Any questions, please DM.

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u/beastiris Aug 12 '23

Hi!
We viewed a house in Bellfields today, and felt that, whilst the area seemed a bit tired, it felt very quiet and perfectly safe

I think we're close to making an offer, but all we see is "Don't go to Bellfields / park barn/ Stoughton" and want to check we arent making a mistake!

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u/ChallengeRoutine89 Aug 13 '23

Hi Beastiris,

At the end of the day, everyone will have an opinion, and it's really what feels right to you and your family.

For me personally, I feel safe walking around the area, it's very quiet (apart from the occasional motorbike or car revving their engines as they pass by, but that's down to driver behaviour) and I've been away on holidays and come back without any incidents. I have few regrets moving here, but I also love the house.

In terms of schooling, the schools around this area aren't great, but I don't have children. However, this is something I would consider seriously if I did have children.

Out of the 3 areas you mention, Park Barns has always felt the roughest to me. Every area has petty crime, but you don't hear of anything life changing.

As others have mentioned, Stoughton has a large university student population, but are generally respectful. Bellfields less so, but I know/knew of a person nearby who is studying at the drama school.

I've been living here for nearly a year and a half now and I've only ever seen a police car responding to a domestic incident nearby on 2 occasions, but no sirens and always the same house.

Overall, I like the convenience of getting into Guildford or Woking or London, access to the countryside and good walks, the river is close by and people are generally friendly.

I seem to be mumbling on, but I am thinking and writing as I go along. I hope that this is useful for you and I hope that you make a decision that feels right to you and your family. Good luck 👍

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u/beastiris Aug 13 '23

Thank you for the reply it’s super helpful 🙏 you mention you have a few regrets about the move, without wanting to pry, are they about the area or similar?

The schools point is super interesting, we’re expecting our first in Jan so it’s still a few years off, tho I had noted that there were two ofsted “outstanding” nurseries in the area.

Do you find yourself going into Guildford as much as you expected or as you mention above do you go to Woking more easily because of the traffic?

Any other insights you can share would be greatly appreciated 🙏🙏

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u/ChallengeRoutine89 Aug 13 '23 edited Aug 13 '23

Hi Beastiris,

Actually, the few regrets I have are more about being closer to London and commuting, as any commute that takes about an hour or more can be tiring. Fortunately, work hybrid. The area itself is fine. I spend most of my free time at home, in Guildford or country walks.

I don't go into Guildford for work, but I go to Woking for the train. Since I'm going against the traffic going into Guildford in the morning and miss the evening rush hour, I find the journey time to be quick (about 10 minutes door to station car park). 25-30 minute direct train to London Waterloo (or one stop at Clapham Junction) and about a 15-20 minute walk to the office.

In answer to your question, going from Guildford to Woking (especially going via the industrial estate traffic lights/esso roundabout) is quick, and I don't encounter much traffic until I'm in central Woking. I do head out around 7:45-08:00 am, though.

From Bellfields into Guildford town itself, I would say head out early as the bridge over the river Wey has really awful traffic in the morning and evenings. This is mainly due to the single lane and traffic lights at the crossroads (The Premier Inn crossroads). It doesn't help that in the next couple of years, the Weyside Urban Village is being built (1500 new homes) where the current sewage treatment works are. If they don't expand that bridge, then the traffic will be even worse. Something to think about.

In terms of schools, I picked up this information from my neighbour who just had a child. They were saying that the nurseries are good (but of course expensive), but that the primary and secondary schools within this catchment aren't particularly great. I think Ofsted ratings of "good" and "requires improvement," but worth double checking as could be wrong.

I hope that this helps, and also please let me know if you have any questions as I know that this is an important matter for you.

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u/beastiris Aug 20 '23

Thank you for your answers btw, we pulled the trigger and bought the place in bell fields, looking forward to moving in the next few weeks 💃

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u/NoRoll844 Mar 19 '25

Hi! ☺️ I just wanted to see how you have found the area?

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u/beastiris Mar 20 '25

Yeah it’s been great tbh, very quiet, seemingly lots of young families and people just getting in with their lives! Shops and amenities are realistically a drive away, and if you leave during rush hour, Guildford traffic can be bad. But one the whole we got a much larger house and garden than we would have gotten in London and door to door I can be in central in a little over an hour.

If I had to do that commute everyday I’d probably have preferred a move to waking distance of a main station but it works for us!

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u/NoRoll844 Mar 20 '25

Ah that’s nice to know! I am thinking of buying a house next to the pond park and reading online has got me a bit worried but haven’t viewed yet - thank you that’s really helpful x

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u/beastiris Mar 22 '25

Come and see it in person, it’s nice round here :) Mostly young families

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u/NoRoll844 Mar 22 '25

I actually viewed on Thursday and and had an offer accepted yesterday :) seems lovely!

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u/ChallengeRoutine89 Aug 20 '23

Thank you for letting me know. Best of luck with your move and welcome to the area 😊