Village living on the edge of town - The charming village of Rayne in the heart of rural Essex, provides the setting for Haslers Halt, the latest development of new homes from prestige housebuilder Knight Developments. This select, considered development of just 14 terraced, semi-detached and detached houses is located on Station Road and offers all the space, style and flexibility required for today’s varied lifestyles.

Rayne was voted Essex Village of the Year in 2006; a fitting accolade for this thriving community. Aside from the many active village groups - from Mothers & Toddlers to Rayne Cricket Club - village facilities include a primary school, a post office/newsagent, general store, hairdresser and three public houses. Just three miles to the east is the busy market town of Braintree, home to a wide and varied selection of shopping facilities including the designer outlet village Freeport, Sainsbury’s and Tesco supermarkets and a Marks & Spencer Simply Food store. Chelmsford is just 12 miles away and offers an even wider range of retail therapy and entertainment.

Local leisure facilities include several sports centres, multi-screen cinema, ten-pin bowling, two renowned golf clubs and an equestrian centre. To really blow away the cobwebs, why not dust down the bikes and spend a happy family Sunday exploring the winding lanes and hidden villages of north west Essex - many of which boast real ale inns and gastropubs - indeed Jamie Oliver has chosen nearby Beazley End for his charity Fifteen’s latest eatery. At nearby Great Leighs, the first new British horse racing course in 80 years is due to open in 2007.

With so many miles of quiet countryside, woodland and walks to discover, its easy to forget that this lovely part of rural Essex is also extremely accessible. The A120 is conveniently close by, providing links east to Colchester and the A12 and west to the M11 and London Stansted, just 16 miles away. For the commuter, Braintree station offers regular commuter services into London Liverpool Street with a journey time of just over an hour. Bus services provide regular links to Braintree, Great Dunmow and Stansted.