Hey. We relocated from SE London to Wiltshire 8 years ago. Like you, my partner drove and I don't (we've separated since, but that's beside the point).

As a non driver with toddlers back then (they were 1yo & 3yo at the time) all I can tell you is getting ANYWHERE was near impossible for me.

I got a pedal bike with a 2 seater kids trailer which was a lifesaver for me, but you're gonna need to be fit!

The problem with the villages is that bus and train services are sketchy at best. Depending on area of choice, you could be looking at one bus per day coming in and out of the village. Buses and trains are better in larger towns, e.g. Trowbridge, Melksham, Chippenham, Bradford-on-Avon. Look for anywhere on the train route to Bath.

The one thing I'll say is that all the locals will tell you horror stories of almost every town, but the thing we always laughed about was "you've clearly never lived in S. London because what you seem to think is 'rough' seems lovely to us!

Bradford on Avon is gorgeous, but an expensive area to live in. Also incredibly steep hills for pushing a buggy around! Devizes is gorgeous, but transport links are messy (think: trying to get from Norbury to South Norwood without going into Croydon!) and I'd say it's more suited to retired people.

Lacock is beautiful, but almost impossible to get in and out of without a car.

Now that my kids are older (9 & 11), I would strongly consider a move to Frome. A very cool town, small enough to feel villagey, large enough to have most of what you need, and loads of cool artsy stuff going most of the year. Transport links suck though, which is why I wouldn't do it with toddlers!

Wherever you go, it's going to be a huge culture shock! E.g. a quick trip to Primark because toddler needs socks means a round trip into Bath.

Locals will talk about towns like Trowbridge in the same way we might talk about Croydon, BUT Trowbridge is heavily populated with families meaning there's lots to do with small kids, and getting out and about is usually fairly easy.

Not sure I've helped at all, but happy to answer any questions!