Near the manor born

A MUNTJAC deer peeps out from nearby trees, a brook runs at the bottom of the garden, and the only sound on a warm summer's morning is birdsong.

These are just a few of the natural attractions at a new development of barn-style cottages tucked away in the English countryside.

The cottages' communal gardens include 15 acres of rolling grounds, sunken flower gardens and tennis courts that sweep towards a Tudor-Gothic-style mansion. And all within 35 minutes' train journey of the city and for well under pounds 300,000.

The Stables, developed by City and Country Homes, is a row of eight single-storey, two-bedroom cottages on the Gilston Park estate on the Hertfordshire-Essex borders near Harlow. The development is so tranquil it's hard to believe it's close to London. Without even the faintest murmur of traffic, the cottages have the drowsy air of homes usually found off the beaten track in more rural shires.

Although called The Stables, there is no evidence that the original building was ever used to house horses. "It was very dilapidated, a bit of a dumping ground," says City and Country Homes. Today, it is in pristine order.

The cottages combine luxury fittings with a rustic feel. All have brick fireplaces and chimneys designed for wood- burning stoves, exposed beams, lofty rooms, stoneflagged kitchens with Neff appliances and granite worktops, and oakfloored living rooms. Most have two bathrooms, one en-suite. However, the layout in every cottage is different and each has a private, fenced-in rear garden.

One of the homes has been sold and three are under offer, but there are still four on the market, ranging from pounds 269,000 to pounds 285,000.

Gilston Park mansion, dominating the parkland, was built in 1849 by John Hodgson, a London shipping merchant. Since he never married, it was the ultimate bachelor pad.

During the Second World War, the house was used to billet RAF officers, some of whom engraved their names on the lead roof of one of the turrets. After the war, the house was used as a country club and offices, before being converted to luxury houses and apartments by City and Country Homes.

Because the communal grounds are so vast, service charges at The Stables are relatively high - pounds 950 a year. Transport links are good, with the M11 five miles away and trains running from nearby Harlow Town station into Liverpool Street. A change at Tottenham Hale to the Victoria line gives access to the West End. For details call City and Country Homes on 01279 817882.

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