Love & Joy

A perfect contemporary, romantic retreat – this lovingly converted historic stables is set in impressive grounds. Inside, the horses have definitely bolted and instead, you are greeted with grandeur, thanks to high vaulted ceilings, a premium bespoke kitchen space and carefully aged Chesterfield sofas – the attention to detail here is phenomenal. Five large round windows and three statement porthole lights suspended from the ceiling bathe the place with light. Stunning wooden doors slide open to reveal a gorgeous bedroom suite – we adore the freestanding iron bath – ideal for a luxurious soak. Enjoy a glass of Champagne on the private terrace overlooking the walled gardens and congratulate yourself on this great find, then enjoy an alfresco barbecue lunch. There's a shared tennis court too (racquets provided) if you fancy a game. Set in the grounds of a beautiful Queen Anne period house, previous homes on the site were owned by politicians Roger Wentworth (an ancestor to Jane Seymour, third queen consort of King Henry VIII) and Oliver Raymond. More recently, the main house was used as Lady Jane Felsham's home in the BBC drama Lovejoy, about a roguish antiques dealer. Being in the middle of an old family estate, miles of wonderful footpaths take you to idyllic countryside. Or visit Lavenham, a twenty-minute drive away – considered to be one of Britain's best-preserved medieval villages, while the market town of Sudbury is a twelve-minute ride. Of course, there are plenty of antique shops to discover in the area if you want to channel your inner Lovejoy.

Home truths:
*You can watch tennis or play a game on the communal court, which is just beyond this home's garden
*The terrace is private, but the walled garden is shared
*The sliding doors to the bedroom can be opened out for a studio style set-up
*Unfortunately, children from 2 to 12 years old are not allowed
*A cot and high chair are available upon request
*The Smart TV is hidden within a stylish cabinet
*Housekeeping is included
*This ground floor property has wide doors, so it may be suitable for wheelchair users (although there are no specific disabled features in the bathroom)
*There's parking on the premises, and we'd recommend a car for seeing the area
*It's a fifty-minute drive from London Stansted Airport