Those of us who’ve poured hundreds (maybe thousands) into doing up and maintaining beloved older houses bought for their character might find Redrow’s Heritage Collection in Braintree, Essex an appealing alternative.

The relatively small-scale development in the village of Rayne, just outside Braintree includes 14 different house types, from two to five-bedroom, and offers a semi-rural position with lush fields, wildflower meadows and even a fishing lake, yet is 15 minutes from Stansted Airport and a mere seven from Braintree’s train station.

The 1930s was a defining era in both style of new housing and location away from the city centre. Referencing the Arts and Crafts era style – and to some extent, location, the detail at Rayne Gardens is spot on, from the glazed window style and dropped eaves, to timber or tiled features over doors, larch lap boarding and embellished brickwork. The paint colours are also authentic in soft shades of sand, green and grey. The exterior of these homes mixes red brick and pebbledash with herringbone brickwork.

Out of a total of 126 units, there are 21 left to buy, some still being built and are available to purchase off-plan, £414,995.

There are two show homes available to visit at Rayne Gardens – the three-bedroom Ludlow and the four-bedroom Cambridge, from 10am-5:30pm. 

For further information visit: Redrow.co.uk or call 01376 767833