THIS week we are heading out to the village of Stillingfleet where we have encountered a small but very select collection of new homes on The Green.

The development consists of three properties – with another on the way – built by NHBC award-winners Burridge Homes.

They all enjoy pleasant rural views over not only the village green but open fields and across to the delightful old St Helen’s Church which dates back to around 1154 – the village lands themselves have historic mentions going back to before the Norman Conquest.

These days Stillingfleet is a popular and thriving village, sought after by those who like a tranquil away from it all spot but want to be readily within reach of York (a little over six miles away) and commuting routes.

And with the bonus of living in an area inside the catchment area of the highly regarded Fulford Secondary School and its consistently ‘outstanding’ Ofsted ratings.

The houses are as impressive as their surroundings, handsome to look at from the outside, stylishly presented inside and, says the Burridge Homes team, with a high spec finish throughout.

The smart modern kitchens, for instance, have a range of branded name appliances and include ‘pyroclean’ ovens, induction hobs, microwaves, fridge-freezers and dishwashers to go with the clean lines and stylish layout of their contemporary wall and base units.

So, now let’s take you on a tour of the houses, beginning with the biggest of the properties, a romper stomper of a five-bedroomed detached house with much to admire, having some interesting character touches to add to its brand new home appeal.

On stepping through the front door you find a spacious entrance hall which leads you into a big, bright and light dining kitchen and family area.

This is a fantastic spot, a superb place for family get-togethers or for entertaining friends with plenty of room for dining – and as it is open plan to the kitchen you can chat while you prepare your delicious food.

Beyond the dining area there is a family space, lots of light dancing around thanks to a full length set of floor-to-ceiling French doors running all along the back of this section of the house and opening on to a private garden (where you will also find a double garage).

There is a separate utility room off and a ground floor cloakroom. And then you have another winning wow factor – in the shape of a large sitting room running along the other side of the entrance hall and with French doors again opening onto the garden.

There’s plenty of room elsewhere, too, with an excellent master bedroom with ensuite shower room and two further bedrooms and a house bathroom on the first floor.

Then you will find a great addition on the second floor where you have a big double bedroom with en-suite and a study across the landing (ideal for an older teenager as it’s almost a complete suite in its own right).

Superb house which has been priced at £550,000 – which leads us to noting that an added bonus of moving slightly out of York to one of the villages is that you do get a lot more house for your money.

And that is certainly the case in the second of the three homes, this one a three-bedroomed brick-built cottage with particularly good views across the green.

The character touches here include a sitting room with a vaulted ceiling and bi-folding doors opening up to make the most of the aforementioned vista.

The ground floor also has a smart dining kitchen with family area off and an open-plan staircase up to the first floor.

Which is where you will find the three bedrooms – the master having its own en-suite shower room to support the main house bathroom. This home is priced at £425,000.

And then for number three which has a nice open-plan, airy and spacious feel to it, not least in the big dining kitchen which also has the advantage of a utility room (and there is a ground floor cloakroom, too).

A smart sitting room with French doors to the garden completes the downstairs while upstairs there are three bedrooms with, again, the master having an en-suite shower room. You can pick this one up for £375,000.

• FURTHER INFORMATION You can get more details on any of the Burridge Homes at Stillingfleet from marketing agents R M English. Tele: 01904 697900.