At the north end, thatched cottages dating from the 17th and 18th centuries border the lane which sweeps down to the entrance of the park.

Around the village crossroads and war memorial are grouped other cottages and the 'new' 19th-century church, All Saints, East Stratton and farm.

A dozen houses erected in this century by the rural district council and Forestry Commission now extend the village as far as Cold Harbour, once a small separate hamlet.

In 1667, the manor passed to Thomas's daughter Lady Rachel and her husband William, Lord Russell who is said to have "pulled down part of the town or hamlet of Stratton and laid it into his Dear Park".

Lord and Lady Russell improved the estate and house, laying out "orchards, gardens and avenues, planted groves, wildernesses and other ornaments to adorn and accommodate this beautiful and pleasant scene".

Opposite where the old church had stood a new school was built, to replace the old one which had burnt down, by Sir Thomas Baring in 1846, he described it as 'a neat Elizabethan style' and it still stand in the park today.