UK Country Cottages:

For those visiting the UK for a self catering holiday you may want to consider a stay in a country cottage. You can find country cottages throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland although self catering accommodation is also referred to by other names.

When looking for self catering accommodation it helps to know that in Scotland, self catering accommodation is very often called holiday lodges or lodges. In Ireland the term holiday lets is commonly used. It should be no surprise to anyone who has visited the UK that there will be variations in language used to describe self catering accommodation on a country by country basis. The countries that make up the UK although similar, are different in many ways and each has their own sense of culture and identity which extends to the language used. Hence we find cultural differences even within the UK when it comes to describing country cottages or self catering accommodation.

Foreign travel can be fraught with difficulties. Recently in the UK we've seen soaring fuel supplements, delays at airports and pitiful foreign exchange rates. Thank goodness there is an alternative: country cottage holidays within the UK.

Tourists fly from all over the world to experience the British countryside. It is so easy to forget the beauty close to home. The British Isles have such a varied landscape. Who can compare the harsh beauty of the Scottish Highlands to the comfortable green of the Home Counties? We have an enviable coastline. Devon and Cornwall have long been summer retreats for family holidays and have a wide selection of country cottages and attractions. Around the traditional seaside resorts you'll have more trouble choosing between the many attractions than finding something to do. The phrase, "I'm bored!" is not likely to be something you will hear.

However, the bustle of the summer seaside resort is not for everyone. One of the advantages of country cottages over hotels is that one can achieve perfect peace and isolation – not so easy to do when there are hundreds of other guests around! And, each cottage is unique and many are characteristic of the landscape in which they are found. Nothing beats returning to your honey-coloured stone cottage after a day exploring the Cotswolds or snuggling up before the fire in the baronial comfort of a Scottish Highland hunting lodge. This is not an off-the-peg holiday but a unique experience.

Although country cottages are often steeped in rustic charm, many feature every modern indulgence. Cottages with pools and cottages with hot tubs are found throughout Britain and can offer more secluded enjoyment than hotels.

Country cottages offer another flexibility, they come in all sizes: from romantic hideaways to large country houses. Increasingly, people are booking large country houses as a grand venue for anniversaries, birthdays, hen and stag weekends and parties. You too can enjoy the luxury of a country manor without having to worry about the upkeep.

And what if you just can't bear to leave your four-legged friend at home? There are lots of pet-friendly country cottages that will welcome your canine companion, many within strolling distance of open countryside perfect for walking the dog. See our section on types of country cottages for more details. This includes rural country cottages, remote country cottages, secluded country cottages and of course pet friendly country cottages.

Cottage holidays are not just for the long summer holidays. Many cottages offer short-breaks and you can always find something lovely at short notice, just perfect for a spontaneous and refreshing break in the British countryside.

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