According to the Office For National Statistics, Britons went on 10m fewer trips abroad last year than in 2008, many opting instead for a holiday in the UK. But that doesn't mean a no-frills break. James Morris, managing director of Farm and Cottage Holidays, says many of us now expect holiday cottages to have the same features as those of a plush boutique hotel. "We've noticed the trend for 'super cottages' building over the past four to five years," says Morris. "Properties are coming on to the rental market with extra features, such as private cinemas, indoor pools and hot tubs. One of the first was The Pad in Torbay, which offers a top-of-the-range entertainment system, steam shower with MP3 function and a dancing pole." They don't have to be "super" expensive either – fill the property and you could pay just £60 per person a week. Here's our top 10…
Wychwood Cottages, Banbury, Oxfordshire
These 12 characterful cottages have been converted from the stables of a ruined abbey. They sleep between 2 and 10, and have a country-cottage feel, with floral furnishings, chinaware and wingback chairs. As well as a games room (with pool, table tennis, darts et al), each cottage has free run of the extensive grounds; while the kids explore the wendy house in the walled garden, parents can play croquet or relax in the pool and spa (treatments are available). A private chef and babysitting services can also be arranged. Stow-on-the-Wold and Chipping Campden are a short drive away.
Book it Sleeps 2-10, from £1,073 per week; 020 7401 1010, cvtravel.co.uk
Hazel Cottage, Acharacle, Argyll
Just 250m from the shores of Loch Awe, this recently renovated four-bedroom cottage features a lounge with a gas stove, a spacious kitchen and outdoor decked area – all with stunning loch views. But it's the Finnish barbecue hut outside that really steals the show: built from Arctic spruce, it seats 15 and is wonderfully cosy, with a barbecue stove, reindeer skins and tea lights. Fishing and boat hire are available just a few minutes' walk from the house, or you could explore the nearby village of Dalmally and Kilchurn Castle.
Book it Sleeps 8, from £480 per week; 07790 104 073; holiday-rentals.co.uk/p732437
The Ducket, Belford, Northumberland
This 18th-century 65ft-high tower, which stands guard over the Northumbrian coast, wows you before you even step through the front door. Sleeping two, it has five round rooms on five floors, which are connected by a wrought-iron spiral staircase, all newly restored with polished wood floors, exposed stone walls and homely floral furnishings. There is Wi-Fi access throughout the property, and a miniature library on the top floor which offers panoramic views of Lindisfarne Castle and the Cheviot Hills. Budle Bay is half a mile away, and the National Cycle Route 1 and St Oswald's Way walking path are right on your doorstep.
Book it Sleeps 2, from £450 per week; 01668 213 336, rosscottages.co.uk
Providence House, near Holt, Norfolk
Owned by artists and spread over three floors, this house is straight out of the pages of Homes & Gardens – old floorboards, stylish furniture and vintage wallpaper by American design house Brunschwig & Fils. There are four double bedrooms; our particular favourite is the Sewing Room, with its kingsize bed, window seat with views over the garden and antique cabinets full of beautifully arranged remnants of fabric and sewing thread bobbins. Curl up in front of the open fire in the lounge – complete with a well-stocked bookcase, flat-screen TV and DVD player – and pick your fruit and vegetables each morning from the organic garden. Day trips could include Holkham Beach and Blakeney Point, which is home to more than 100 basking seals.
Book it Sleeps 8, from £790 per week; 01728 638 962, bestofsuffolk.co.uk
Chapel Hill, Camborne, Cornwall
Cornwall has its fair share of luxury cottages, but this lovingly converted chapel, set in its own extensive grounds on the edge of a nature reserve, has to be one of the best. Perfect for large families or groups of friends, it sleeps 12 in four bedrooms, and mixes beamed ceilings and oak furnishings with underfloor heating, a widescreen plasma TV, PlayStation and contemporary woodburner. But you will probably spend most of your time outside, where there is a trampoline, climbing frame, hot tub, swimming pool – covered with a retractable glass roof (and shared with one other property) – and a Swedish barbecue cabin that seats 14. The property also comes with mountain bikes and kayaks to use for free. A five-mile footpath leads down to the beaches, and there are child-friendly pubs within a few miles.
Book it Sleeps 12, from £995 per week; 01237 459 888, holidaycottages.co.uk
Shell House, Exmoor, Somerset
Just yards away from Porlock Weir, this property has a log burner in the lounge and folding doors that open out on to a balcony with views across the water. Architecturally striking, with high apex ceilings and skylights, it has four double bedrooms (three en suite) with kingsize beds and iPod docking stations, a well- stocked kitchen, plus a cinema and games room. It's a short stroll to a real ale pub and a bakery run by surfers, and you also get a free concierge service to organise days out for you. Or you could just relax on that balcony with a G&T.
Book it Sleeps 8, £2,500 per week (year-round price); 01865 764 087, sheepskinlife.com
Hopton Hall, Wirksworth, Derbyshire
The stables, coach house and servants' cottages of this grand hall, located in the Derbyshire Dales, were recently converted into four self-catering properties. They each sleep between 4 and 14, and feature exposed brick walls, sofas you can sink into and a log burner or open fire, and two of the cottages have their own private gardens. Explore the 30-acre grounds and you will find woodland areas, a paddock with football and volleyball nets, barbecue tables and a children's play area. The properties also have shared use of an indoor swimming pool, and there's a residential beauty therapist on call, too. Carsington Water is within walking distance, with bird sanctuaries, sailing, fishing and sailboarding.
Book it Sleeps 4-14, from £389 per week; 01629 540 458, premiercottages.com
Brecon Beacons Cottage, Brecon Beacons
Located in the heart of the national park, with views of the Black Mountains, this 16th-century stone farmhouse (see picture, above) is as remote as it is stylish. It mixes exposed stone walls, flagstone floors (complete with underfloor heating) and large oak beams with vintage rugs, beautiful fabrics and antique furniture. There's a pool table in the lounge, and a large enclosed garden and paddock outside (just in case you want to bring your horse). You can set off on a walk through the Brecon Beacons from your front door, or have a go at Canadian canoeing, archery or caving – all of which can be arranged locally.
Book it Sleeps 6, from £650 per week; 020 7401 1010, cvtravel.co.uk
Hillcrest, Bigbury-on-Sea, Devon
Just 350m up from the sandy beach, this split-level hillside house was inspired by the beach houses of Sydney. It features sliding walls of glass, designer fabrics and local artwork. There are five double bedrooms, a home cinema system in the "snug", table tennis and a sauna. Outside you'll find a lawned garden, decked terrace and hammock – perfectly positioned to lap up the views of Burgh Island and Stoke Point. If you can tear yourself away, head to nearby Bantham, renowned as one of the south coast's best surf spots.
Book it Sleeps 10, from £995 per week; 01647 434 063, helpfulholidays.com; ref L114
Lowtherwood, Ambleside, Cumbria
Enjoy views of Windermere and the Langdale Valley on the balcony and terraces of this newly renovated property. Inside you'll find four bedrooms, all en suite with free-standing baths, a spacious lounge with exposed beams, a woodburning stove and floor-to-ceiling windows, and a plush kitchen. There's even a helicopter landing pad. After a day's ramble through the fells, the sauna and outdoor hot tub will be just what the doctor ordered. There is a Michelin-starred restaurant two minutes' walk away.
Book it Sleeps 8, from £1,390 per week; 01228 599 960, cumbrian-cottages.co.uk
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