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If it's a rural location that is the most important factor in your choice of holiday cottage then you could look at some of the country's most scenic areas, for instance Derbyshire and the Peak District, the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, the Cotswolds, Cornwall, Exmoor, Dartmoor, Devon the New Forest, Kent and the south-east, East Anglia, the Fens, Norfolk and the Broads to name but a few in England. The list is virtually endless, as county by county each has something to offer and its own picturesque locations.

Derbyshire Derbyshire is a county with a known history stretching back over centuries and it embraces both rural and industrial avtivites. Situated virtually in the centre of England it is easily accessible from all directions. It is a county that has witnessed the Romans, who mined for lead and quarried the stone, and the coming of Saxon and Viking communities, but hardly warranted a mention in the Domesday Book, being dismissed as waste lands. However, by the Middle Ages the area was a thriving centre for local trades and commodities and, most importantly, wool. In the age of steam, coal became of increasing importance and the coal mining industry in Derbyshire reached its peak in the 18th and 19th centuries. So much of Derbyshire is stunning scenery, upland moors, craggy hills and fertile fields, that it is often difficult to remember that it has this industrial heritage, as well. In Derbyshire you will find the magnificent Chatsworth House, home of the Dukes of Devonshire, Buxton, famous for its spa waters, Arkwright's Cromford Cotton Mill, the splendours of the Peak District National Park and the caverns where the rare and semi-precious Blue John stone was, and still is, mined.

Lincolnshire Lincolnshire is a land that, in pre Norman Conquest times, seemed to have little to offer but when the Domesday Book was compiled many hundreds of mills, fisheries, salt and iron workings were discovered. At that time Lincoln and Stamford were considered the most important centres. In 1068 Lincoln Castle was built and, more famously, 2 decades later the building of Lincoln Cathdral was begun. In the Middle Ages Lincolnshire became one of England's most densely populated counties with thriving communities of Jewish bankers and merchants in the 12th and early 13th centuries. Until the 20th century Lincolnshire was in 3 distinct divisions, each with their individual features and attributes: Kesteven in the southeast is a beautiful mix of gentle hills and woods, its main towns being Bourne, Stamford and Grantham; Lindsey is the area of fens and marshlands where the visitor finds Lincoln, Grimsby, Scunthorpe and Market Rasen (of racecourse fame); and Holland flat and fertile with the old market towns of Boston, Donington and Market Deeping to visit.

Northumberland Northumberland is one of England's northerly counties which, in earlier, more lawless times was constantly battling, or embracing, the Scots. Probably most famous for Hadrian's Wall, defining the Roman border with Scotland and marching from east to west of the county, Northumberland is a county of rugged contrasts and beauty, stong castles and ancient monasteries. Visit Lindisfarne and Holy Island, Bamborough Castle and Alnwick. Its villages, towns and cities variously famous for coal mining, shipbuilding and fishing, Northumberland offers a staggering variety of quiet sandy beaches, fishing villages, and the Cheviot Hills. Nearby Durham, land of the Prince Bishops, is a city once visited - never forgotten. It's a jewel, with it's castle, cathedral, university, winding river and narrow streets, it absolutely oozes character and unique qualites.

Lake District Possibly the most well known and visited area of all is the Lake District and what better place to hire a holdiay cottage. Small towns and villages nestle in the valley bottoms amongst the lakes and mountains of this beautiful place that have inspired poets and artists through the ages. The Lake District National Park has the Cumbrian Mountains at its heart. The longest, and possibly best known, lake is Windermere, with the village of Ambleside perched at its head and Newby Bridge at its foot. On Windermere you can hire a rowing boat or a motor boat, take a cruise, sail or merely sit in a chair along its pebbly shoreline and relax. Just to the west of Windermere, with Grizedale Forest between them, is Coniston Water. Just as skinny but not so long, Coniston is beautiful and has more restrictions on the use of the water than does Windermere so tends to be quieter. Keswick is probably the largest of the small towns in the Lake District and has many attractive features popular with tourists. It is to be found near the head of Derwentwater, another beautiful lake with gorgeous Borrowdale lying at its foot and alongside. The National Park is paradise for walkers and climbers and there are walks and climbs to suit all ages and abilities, from the gentle shoreline stroll, to the strenuous hikes up the steep slopes, to the breathtaking and dizzying rock face climbs. There are numerous leaflets describing walks of different levels of difficulty and a set of 21 called 'miles without stiles' which are routes suitable for a wheelchair or child's buggy. These can all be found on the National Park's own website.

The Lake District has always been inspirational for writers, artists and musicians. The poet William Wordsworth was one of the first to appreciate its natural beauty and in 1810 published his Guide to the Lakes which did much to kickstart the infant tourist industry. He spent his childhood in Hawkshead and in later years made his home in Grasmere and Rydal Mount. He is buried in the churchyard at Grasmere. Beatrix Potter, of Peter Rabbit fame, came to love the Lakes so much that in the early 20th century she made it her home. In Coniston you'll find 'Brantwood', the home of John Ruskin, and now a small museum dedicated to his memory and open to the public. If the theatre interests you then In Keswick you'll find there is a strong tradition of 'theatre' and each year there is a varied selection of productions in the 'Theatre by the Lake'.

The Lake District is familiar to many people that have never even visited the area! Who hasn't seen pictures of Troutbeck and the little stone bridge straddling the sparkling waters of the beck as they rush along their stony bed? The numerous lakes: including even the lesser known ones like Wast Water, Rydal Water, Haweswater, Ullswater and Bassenthwaite Lake will probably all be known if you mention them. Similarly, not many people are unfamiliar with the names of the peaks and hills such as Helvellyn and its notorious 'Striding Edge', The Old Man of Coniston, venerable and massive; Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England; Great Gable, Cat Bells, Skiddaw and Grisdale Pike. Each and everyone has a special place in so many hearts for its beauty, its strength or just the fantastic vistas to be seen from the slopes. Wherever you might choose to rent your holiday cottage - on a village street, on a nearby farm, tucked away in woodland - you'll be sure to have a holiday to remember.

Yorkshire Dales The Yorkshire Dales National Park, a collection of river valleys and hills, is an area of outstanding beauty, sparsley populated with tiny hamlets dotted along winding, narrow roads. Its a place of high, windswept moors and endless vistas with big skies. Imagine your holiday cottage and starting each day by having breakfast by a window overlooking that stunning landscape. Upper Wharfedale, Lower Wharfedale, Swaledale, Upper Wensleydale and Lower Wensleydale are the more well known dales but there are many smaller, less well known ones that are well worth seeking out. They offer visitors the chance to relax or pursue more strenuous activities, study the wildlife living there, visit the villages or marvel at the stunning geographical natural features such as Malham Cove, Hardraw Force, The Buttertubs, Aysgarth Falls, Ingleborough, Cautley Spout and Stump Cross Caverns. In the limestone under the dales are extensive cave systems that make this one of the most important caving areas of the country. Gaping Gill and Ingleborough Cave are just two of the more well known of them. Many are open to the tourists with guided tours to some of the caves. The Dales has its own 'Dales Countryside Museum' at the Hawes Railway Station in Wensleydale. For the rail enthusiasts it's in the dales that you'll find the impressive Ribblehead Viaduct on the Settle and Carlisle railway line. Several long-distance walks criss-cross the dales including 'The Pennine Way', the 'Dales Way' and 'The Pennine Bridleway'.