Britain’s population prefer the idea of country living to city life, with many dreaming of escaping to a rural environment, according to AA Financial Services[i]. Its report indicates that people moving home are more than twice as likely to choose the country over city living. Bellway Homes is launching a brand-new collection of homes, nestled in an idyllic, rural location. The Furlongs, in Great Leighs, is perfect for those looking to escape city life and is a 30-minute drive to the market town of Colchester.

The new collection of homes launched on 24^th November, includes two, three and four-bedroom detached houses, which will appeal to a wide audience including first-time buyers, families and professionals. The beautiful, landscaped gardens blend in with the stunning backdrop of the Essex countryside, creating a perfect location for country-living.

Katie Mills, Sales Manager at Bellway Essex, comments: “Great Leighs is an idyllic Essex village, with a local store, and excellent local school and a fantastic village hall, which offers events and classes for all ages, providing buyers with the perfect escape from city life. With Help to Buy available on many of the plots here we are confident that these houses will make a perfect place for couples and new families, who are looking to put down roots in a village community.”

For everyday essentials, the village store and post office are nearby, whilst a large supermarket is situated just two miles away at Great Notley. Further afield is Colchester, a historic market town, full of heritage sites and exciting leisure opportunities. The town centre hosts an array of high street and independent retailers, with the historic Norman Colchester Castle just nearby, with its tower keep being the largest surviving example in Europe. The market also features on the high street, every Friday and Saturday, with a selection of independent stalls; while Colchester Community Stadium hosts Colchester United FC and is a lively venue for regular music and comedy shows.

Those who enjoy outdoor pursuits will be spoilt for choice in Great Leighs. A recreation ground located on Boreham Road has a children’s play area, football pitches, tennis courts, while there are a selection of parks and nature reserves nearby, including Great Notley Park with a popular cycling route, bridleway and walking trails.  In addition to this, the park also serves families, with an adventure play zone, games area and football pitches, perfect for a family day out. Fitness centres, Braintree Swimming & Fitness and Braintree Sport & Health Club are just ten minutes away by car and both offer a variety of facilities, such as an athletics track, sports hall and courts, gyms and swimming pool. Under a mile away from the development, there is also Chelmsford City Racecourse which holds an array of events, festivals and live music all year round, while also being the first brand-new racecourse in the UK since 1927.

Nearby the development, families are well looked after, with several well-regarded schools in the surrounding local area, including Great Leighs Primary, which is less than ten minutes walking distance from The Furlongs. There is also a pre-school, which accommodates children aged two to four.  For older students, there is a selection of schools such as Notley High School, Braintree Sixth Form, Chelmer Valley High School, Chelmsford County High School for Girls and King Edward VI Grammar School for Boys, all of which are within fifteen minutes of The Furlongs.

Great Leighs offers great travel connections with Braintree Freeport as the closest train station, just ten minutes’ drive away, with regular services to Chelmsford, Stratford and for commuters, reaching London Liverpool Street would take about an hour. There are frequent bus services between the village and neighbouring areas, while major roads are close-by with the A131 and A120for Braintree, Halstead, Sudbury and Chelmsford and the A12, reaching Colchester, Ipswich and London.

Prices start at £339,995 for a two-bedroom home to £XXX for a four-bedroom home. For further information please visit www.bellway.co.uk or call 07973 949428.

[i]https://www.yourmortgage.co.uk/uncategorized/escape-to-the-country/