Essex

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There are parts of this home — such as the wooden ceiling beams and thatched roof — where you can see this seven-hundred-year-old cottage's age. There are other features, however, that do their best to hide this big number. The extension that holds the modern kitchen, for instance, was only built in recent years and the super-sleek surfaces wouldn't look out of place in a newly constructed property. One of the best things about this home is its total seclusion. Located right by the entrance of National Trust Hatfield Forest, nature is your only neighbour here and you're all sorted for great hikes and biking tours (make a note of the Flitch Way cycle path which will get you to Great Dunmow in just over half an hour). However you choose to spend your time here, be sure to finish the day basking in the warmth of the crackling log-burner, or with a dip in the hot tub as the sun goes down.


Raindrops On Roses

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city with a stay at this dreamy holiday home in the heart of rural Essex. Just twenty minutes from the historic market town of Bishop's Stortford, this gorgeous property is perfectly placed to explore everything the county has to offer. Jump in the car and head to Southend-on-Sea for a relaxing walk along England’s east coast or cycle into Takeley, where you’ll find a smattering of local pubs and restaurants to satisfy your hunger. 

Back at your cosy home from home, you’ll find everything you need for an exceptional stay. While two barns adjoin to this one, they are not interconnected, making this barn perfect for unwinding with friends or family. Gather everyone outside for a picnic by the meadow or share a bottle of English fizz at the spacious dining table before heading to bed for some well-deserved rest. 

Millers Mead

From its charming seafoam-green exterior to its sunny loft living space – a delightful area to unwind after a busy day – this home is the perfect marriage of period features and modern comforts. Tucked away in the village of Thaxted, it's right next to Clarence House – a beautiful 18th-century, Grade 1, Queen Anne listed property. 

Inside, the living room is a bright and welcoming space with its wood staircase, original beams and wall mouldings, and sash windows that flood the loft in natural light throughout the day. There's a sleek, modern kitchen ladened with everything needed for rustling up hearty breakfasts. It's been recently renovated so everything here is sparkling new, from the stylish bathroom to the comfortable bedroom. You're sure to get a peaceful night’s sleep thanks to the striking four-poster bed and church facing position.

While you could easily spend all day tucked inside your cosy cottage, go out and explore your surroundings. Head to the local market on Fridays, which takes place opposite the Guildhall. Here, you'll also find plenty of boutique-style shops, cafes and pubs to stop for a drink. Just beyond is John Webb's windmill (three minutes on foot), which is the gateway to many country walks accessible from the village. 

Postcard from Thaxted

This rustic barn conversion is a delightful place to stay in the Essex countryside. It has been lovingly restored, and retains its original wooden beams, which give the home a traditional, cottage-like feel. There are public footpaths nearby, meaning you’ll be able to make the most of exploring the surrounding countryside. After a busy day hiking, kick back on the plump sofas with a drink in hand, and warm up in front of the wood burner. During the day, the huge garden is the perfect spot to play games as a group, before cooking up a hearty meal on the Weber barbecue, to enjoy on the outdoor seating.

Butterfly Barn

Just outside the village of Little Bentley, a five-minute walk from the local pub and a ten-minute drive from Colchester, this rustic barn is nestled on a working farm. Previously a popular children's café with fun play areas both indoors and out, it's an ancient barn that retains a great deal of rustic charm. 

Quirky and imaginative, it's a family home with an emphasis on keeping the little ones entertained (and safe – it's fully child-proofed). The huge living space is dominated at one end by a log burner, with aged leather sofas and throws perfect for cosying up on winter nights, while the other end features a super cool, Scandi-style kitchen – complete with a professional café coffee machine that's been left in situ so you can play barista. Fun things about this room include the chalkboard wall, a movie projector for film nights and an indoor hammock chair.  

One of the bedrooms is aimed at kids, with twin beds, funky lights, chalkboards, toys and books. But as if that wasn't enough, they have a whole play area in the main space, where imaginations can run wild thanks to a wooden teepee, a wooden shop and a range of homemade superhero capes to choose from. There's more outside with a willow tunnel and mud kitchen. As the sun sets, toast some marshmallows around the fire pit before heading to your cosy beds.

Gooseberry Fool

Look out across ancient hedgerows and golden fields from the outdoor tub of this secluded shepherd’s hut. It’s a world away from the city bustle, set in three acres of wildflower meadows, rolling fields and rambling walkways, with a pond for wild swimming. If it’s sea air you crave, it’s less than ten minutes’ drive to the beach near Holland on Sea and the local village (a half-hour ramble away) has three cosy pubs to choose from. Returning to your nook in the countryside, soak away the sand and salt in the wood-fired bathtub outside and watch the sun streak the fields pink and gold. There’s a wood-fired barbecue and fire-pit too if you want to dine beneath the stars. Inside, a little kitchenette provides everything you need for a quick meal, perhaps courtesy of the farm-fresh eggs left by your host, and the stunning interior of reclaimed wood, bronze and copper create a warm palette to unwind in. Fire up the wood-burning stove to keep things warm in chilly evenings and snuggle down in a built-in bespoke bed, like a luxurious hobbit hole.  

Fields & Seagulls

This modern apartment is the perfect base for a solo traveller or couple looking to explore the beautiful market town of Halstead. Ingeniously designed to maximise the space and comfort, the living area feels much bigger than it really is (it's actually a studio flat). With the use of the industrial-style shutters, the bedroom is cleverly cut off from the open-plan kitchen and dining area, creating a cosy spot to enjoy a restful night's sleep or power through work at the dedicated study area – perfect for those in town on business. The spacious kitchen offers all the mod-cons for a comfortable long-term stay, with sleek worktops and appliances for preparing home-cooked perfection. Natural light pours in through the crittall windows making it a bright and airy apartment, while the private balcony opens the flat out to the lovely green views all around. Step out of the building and be right in the heart of Halstead, boasting boutique shops, coffee lounges and fine-dining restaurants to discover. Plus, you're a twenty-minute drive from Colchester town centre and less than thirty-five minutes from Stansted airport up the road.

All-In-One

Nestled on a working farm in the quiet, rural village of Great Canfield, this zinc-roofed barn overlooks the fields of the Roding Valley. After a leisurely breakfast, head out and wander the footpaths on the farm venturing into the open countryside, or even wander the 0.5 miles to the nearby pub for lunch, or on to the local carriage driving centre for coffee and a quick bite at the cafe.

If you’ve been caught in the British rain on your walk, then shed your walking gear in the shared boot room to dry while you get cosy in front of the home’s wood-burning stove. Then, in the early evening, why not fire up the barbecue that can be found in the wildflower meadow here? Enjoy an alfresco picnic meal under the shade of an umbrella, as you gaze out at the beautiful flowers and the fields beyond. 

This home is not only ideal for escaping to the countryside but its location means you can also easily venture as far as London and Cambridge, or explore rural East Anglia. What’s more, Great Dunmow, famous for the Flitch Trials, is the nearest town to this home – reachable in just three miles. Here, you will find butchers, a bakery, cafes, a wine shop, other independent shops, supermarkets, and even a weekly Tuesday market. 

Woolmers Mead

Nestled on a campsite in the heart of Hertford lies this fabulous glamping pod, perfect for families and couples with their furry friends wishing to get a little closer to nature. Stay warm and toasty with central heating, or relax in the private wood-fired hot tub and enjoy views of the surrounding countryside and the lake just a stone's throw from your doorstep. Fire up the barbecue for dining alfresco on warm summer evenings, and bring a good quality torch with you for getting around at night, as parts of the camping site are unlit. There are plenty of amenities on-site for the family to enjoy, including a farm park where you can meet the alpacas, lambs, pigs and other farm animals. You'll also get a discount at the on-site farm shop, where you can get some great local produce as well as wood, coal and fuel for fires.

Enjoy the quiet oasis of the site, safe in the knowledge that you're only a short drive from the centre of Hertford. You'll have easy access to the local shops and pubs where you can enjoy a pint with the locals and take a trip to some of the nearby landmarks like Hertford Castle. Lace up your hiking boots and head to the Chadwell Way Sculpture Trail, where you can explore gorgeous scenery as you explore the towns and countryside of Hertford, Ware and Great Amwell.

Lakeside Smial

Just over an hour from London is this lovely home in the picturesque Suffolk countryside. In a fairytale setting, the extensive gardens are brimming with wisteria, roses and fragrant shrubs. There is also an ornamental vegetable garden where you may help yourself to bundles of fragrant herbs and fresh eggs from the hen coop. The house has a generous living area inside and out and is ideal for extended families looking to spend quality time together. The sociable kitchen allows for both group cooking sessions and aperitifs shared around the large kitchen table. The open-plan living area at the heart of the home presents the perfect place to relax, with comfy sofas around the log burner. There's also a stunning dining room, which offers a beautiful scene for more celebratory dinners and formal affairs. Enjoy peace and tranquillity in this lovely home or set out to discover the fabulous local country walks and attractions. Explore the nearby coastal villages, reachable in under thirty minutes, or why not try boating on the Stour river? With vineyard tours, antique hunting, and cream teas to be enjoyed in many local villages, you'll be in a prime location for taking in the best of the Suffolk countryside. The house is within easy walking distance to a friendly village pub, an excellent farm shop, and a family-friendly country cafe.

Under The Pergola

For a secluded coastal getaway just an hour away from London, they don't come much better, or more picturesque, than this stunning cottage at the mouth of the Blackwater Estuary. On one side, you've got yachts and barges passing on the sea lock and, on the other, a nature reserve that's a haven for migrating birds.

Despite its eighteenth-century origins, your hosts have modernised the cottage in a sympathetic way that pays homage to its humble roots, housing the foremen that worked on the canal. So while the exposed beams and wood burner in the living room probably haven't changed much over the years, the stainless steel kitchen and stunning glass sunroom ensure that it works perfectly for modern living. Meanwhile, upstairs, you'll find two elegant king-size bedrooms, a single room (available at an additional cost) and a luxurious marble shower room, with a second down on the ground floor.

Step out, and you'll find coastal walks that start right from your front door and a wide variety of wildlife to catch your eye. For those that want to get out on the water, why not take a trip on a Thames barge along the canal to Maldon (of sea salt fame). Here, you'll find posh pubs and charming tea rooms to cater to your every need. Six miles outside the town, Crouch Valley is home to a growing number of vineyards where you can sample the best that this little corner of Essex has to offer.

Foreman's Cottage

Set in the village of Howe Green, just outside Chelmsford, this house makes a great base for exploring Essex. The large garden has plenty of space for kids to play, along with spots for outdoor dining and relaxing. Inside, the kitchen and living room both overlook the garden, so you’re always connected to the outdoors. With two bathrooms – one of them an en-suite – and one guest toilet, you might need a little coordination at full capacity. You’ll also need a car here, but scenic parks, restaurants, cafes, and Chelmsford’s town centre are all within a short drive.

Howe Green Haven

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