Area guide · Braintree, Essex · CM77
Rayne.
Period cottages and village character on the Flitch Way, two miles west of Braintree and minutes from the A120.
Rayne follows the line of Stane Street, the old Roman road from Colchester, and its heart is still The Street: timber-framed cottages, a village lock-up from 1819 and dozens of listed buildings along a short stretch. All Saints’ Church keeps its early Tudor brick tower, built by the Capel family who held Rayne Hall.
The village grew around its foundry, and when that closed in 2001 the land was turned into new housing. The result is a village with genuine history at its centre and modern family homes around the edges, which gives buyers a real choice of price and style without leaving the parish.
- Average sold price, last 12 months (Land Registry data via Rightmove)
- £356,750
- Parish population (2021 census)
- 2,360
- Listed structures in the parish
- 67
- Essex Village of the Year
- 2006
Neighbourhoods of Rayne.
Search homes in RayneThe Street and the historic core
The Street
Listed cottages and period houses, many timber-framed and plastered. Character sells here, and good examples don't stay on the market long.
Price guide £350k–£725k
Foundry Way and the newer infill
Foundry Way
Homes built on the former foundry site, including maisonettes and starter houses. The most accessible prices in the village.
Price guide £230k–£325k
Capel Road and the family streets
Capel Road
Mid-century and later semis and detached houses close to the primary school.
Price guide £300k–£450k
Leyfields and Blake End
Leyfields · Blake End
Larger detached homes, and on the rural edge at Blake End, individual houses on substantial plots.
Price guide £550k–£1.1m
Where Rayne sits.
Rayne follows Stane Street, the old Roman road, about two miles west of Braintree, with the A120 running past the village and the Flitch Way running right through it.
- 01 All Saints' Church 0.2 mi
- 02 Flitch Way visitor centre (old Rayne station) 0.4 mi
- 03 Rayne Primary and Nursery School 0.4 mi
- 04 A120 0.5 mi
- 05 Braintree station 1.9 mi
Getting out of Rayne.
By rail
Rayne's old station closed long ago and now serves as the visitor centre for the Flitch Way. The nearest stations are in Braintree, a short drive east, with direct trains to London Liverpool Street.
By road
The A120 runs past the village, making Stansted Airport one of the easiest commutes of any area we cover.
Village life.
Ask us about the areaThe Flitch Way runs right through the village
The Flitch Way runs right through Rayne, giving a traffic-free walking and cycling route east into Braintree and west towards Great Dunmow.
The village has won awards for its community life, including Essex Village of the Year, and the Rayne Heritage Trail is a good way to see the listed buildings on foot.
Walking and cycling
The Flitch Way
A traffic-free route east into Braintree and west towards Great Dunmow. Rayne's old station is now its visitor centre.
Heritage
Rayne Heritage Trail
A good way to see the listed buildings on foot, covering some of the village's 67 listed structures.
Community
An award-winning village
Essex Village of the Year in 2006, and a national Calor Village of the Year category winner in 2006–07.
Schools in Rayne
Rayne Primary and Nursery School, on Capel Road, was rated Good by Ofsted in 2022 and takes children from age three. It is part of the Attain Academy Partnership.
Secondary pupils generally travel into Braintree.
History on The Street
All Saints’ Church keeps its early Tudor brick west tower, added around 1510 by Sir William Capel, of the family who held Rayne Hall. The village lock-up on The Street dates from 1819.
Rayne grew around its foundry, which closed in 2001. The land was reused for housing, and that is where Foundry Way stands today.
Homes for sale in Rayne.
View all Rayne homes
Not seeing the right thing? We often know about Rayne homes before they are listed.
Rayne, frequently asked.
Have a question? We're here to help
Is Rayne a good place to live?
It suits buyers who want a characterful village with a primary school, countryside walks and quick access to Braintree and Stansted. The Flitch Way runs right through the village, The Street is lined with listed buildings, and Rayne was named Essex Village of the Year in 2006.
How much are houses in Rayne?
The average sale over the last year was around £357,000, from under £250,000 for a maisonette to over £1m for the largest detached homes. Foundry Way averaged around £260,000 and Leyfields around £560,000.
Which postcode is Rayne?
CM77, shared with Great Notley, Black Notley and Cressing.
What schools are in Rayne?
Rayne Primary and Nursery School, on Capel Road, was rated Good by Ofsted in 2022 and takes children from age three. It is part of the Attain Academy Partnership. Secondary pupils generally travel into Braintree.
Does Rayne have a railway station?
Not any more. Rayne's old station closed long ago and is now the visitor centre for the Flitch Way. The nearest stations are in Braintree, a short drive east, with direct trains to London Liverpool Street.
How easy is it to get to Stansted Airport from Rayne?
Very. The A120 runs past the village, making Stansted Airport one of the easiest commutes of any area we cover.