Country Cottages - When I think of the country, I think of an idyllic image of roses round the door, oak beams, a little kitchen garden full of scented herbs and a Labrador laying next to the Aga. I’m not sure if something really exists like this or perhaps I’ve been reading too much Thomas Hardy. The fact is, lots of people are decamping to the countryside to country cottages.
The movement of people from urban areas in search of a rural ideal is having a social effect on the countryside. A lot of people take up country cottages as a weekend retreat or vacation home. This removes houses from the market for local people who struggle to find affordable housing. My husband and I actually moved to the countryside for a while. It’s not something I felt guilty about, because we didn’t build a new house on the village boundary or anything like that. We restored an existing house in a row of refurbished country cottages and we lived and worked in the community. We actually made a contribution to the community, which a lot of incomers don’t.
Some people commute for four hours or more a day, just to be able to live in country cottages. They don’t actually see much of their houses because they’re either at work or in the car. I suppose it’s a bolt hole, away from the frantic pace of the city. The exodus is moving the other way too, as young people in rural areas can’t find work or any work that pays a decent wage and they migrate to the cities to find jobs there.
With so many weekend homes etc., local amenities in the countryside are increasingly under threat. Shops shut down and public transport is infrequent. The emphasis is always put on inner city depravation but there is rural poverty too, which needs addressing. Country cottages shouldn’t just be for the affluent commuter, housing and jobs need to be there for the young generation or villages and small towns will just become dormitory enclaves.
A lot of people have converted old barns that farmers have sold, into country cottages. There are some really pretty conversions, which have blended the character of the building with modern facilities. It’s certainly better than knocking a barn down and losing the building forever. There’s the opportunity to have high ceilings and large windows letting in plenty light. I wonder where the farmers put their straw these days
Previous Articles Highlighter:
Country Houses To Rent (1)
...country houses to rent was frustrated. I simply didn’t have the money for a country house to rent. My vacations – if you could call them that – were two or three day affairs...
Cross Country Skiing (2)
...distance cross country skiing known as Ski Marathons. The longest distance of these events, at 160 km, is the Canadian Ski Marathon. There are international competitions and a World Cup....
Cruise Deals (3)
...to find some wonderful cruise deals if you’re willing to do some research. The best way to find cruise deals is to remain flexible. For some people, their schedules don’t always allow...
Discount Air Tickets (4)
...was in my 20s, it was much harder for me to get discount airfares. I remember the summer of my senior year very well. All I really wanted to do was to graduate and then head off to Europe. The best...
Discount Airline Travel (5)
...a week. You see, many of the airlines have special tickets that they will only offer once a week. For example, Alaska Airlines has several discount airline travel offers every Wednesday. Whatever...
Discount Holidays (6)
...get to swim. Being a kid, that was my favorite part of discount holidays. When I was standing shin deep in water, wishing I was home, I thought back to that innocent question and wondered...
Discount Vacations (7)
...it will be a stay in a hovel-like hotel in Mexico. Either way, he seems happy. The amazing thing about it is that he can afford vacations at all. Ryan has always struck me as someone who lives...
Disneyland Paris (8)
...Park and the Walt Disney Studios Park. It struggled to gain sufficient visitors at first but expansion and new attractions have improved its prospects. The theme parks share much the...
Eastern Europe Travel (9)
...places that are home to expatriates and friendly to tourists, but still thriving with unique native cultural traditions. This means that Eastern Europe traveling offers some of the best of both...
Family Camping Tent (10)
...rather gone on vacation by myself, the family camping tent still provided a great possibility for travel and adventure. The tent we got was a Eureka tent. Neither my dad nor my mom had...
Family Camping Tents (11)
...get the cheapest one you can find like I did. We went camping on a weekend that was supposed to be clear and sunny. As it turned out, it was cold and damp, and we couldn’t just pack...
Family Vacation Spots (12)
...definitely a fantastic place for families, but we’ve been there several times already. I was hoping to find other family vacation spots that offer just as many fun activities, but in...
Family Vacations (13)
...with the kids and family members of all ages. According to www amilytravelnetwork om, the best family vacations offer something to please every family member not matter the age. This site also...
Fiji Islands (14)
...is a large component of the island’s economy. There are 322 islands and over one hundred are inhabited. The biggest islands are Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. The islands achieved...
Fiji Vacation (15)
...is actually made up of over 300 islands, falls into that category. Situated in the South Pacific Ocean, the islands offer a haven, away from the bustling world outside. A Fiji vacation can...
Find Cheap Tickets (16)
...to get to certain places. I don’t think we’ll be traveling on ships again any time soon. I know the best way to find cheap tickets. If you know where you’re flying to...
Fishing Guides (17)
...out on launch trips or hire one of the many private fishing guides to take them out fishing. This allows for business opportunities for many people that live on the lake, but people should make...
Fishing Trips (18)
...memories of his youth involve fishing trips that he took with his dad and brothers. My family fished very little. We would go to area lakes and fish from shore, my father never owned a boat....
Five Star Hotels (19)
...some terrific last minute deals on rooms in these luxury establishments. The first step to finding a deal like this is to do some online research. Visiting the hotel’s website is...
Flight Information (20)
...tickets are numbered as more and more airlines prefer to use the e-tickets. These not only save paper they save time. This is why it is very important that you know your flight information before...
Florida Beach Resorts (21)
...towns, what Florida beach resort you choose is crucial to determining the quality of your experience. If you choose the wrong one, you will practically not be able to make it to the water....
Foreign Exchange (22)
...of the year she lived and studied in Japan with her host family. I’m not sure if she still talks to them or not, but last I knew she did. A part of me wishes that I had done it, but...
Fort Myers Beach (23)
...most commonly seen include herons, sandpipers and roseate spoonbills. Off shore, there are sightings of porpoises and tarpon. The Ortego Bay Marine Science Center on Fisherman’s...
Galveston Vacation (24)
...Above all, it’s a fun, friendly place with many visitor attractions and there’s plenty for the kids to do. The neighborhood known as The Strand has streets full of Victorian...
German Chocolate (25)
...Every day when we ate at the cafeteria we had to walk past the small tan bowls that had a scoop of cottage cheese in it with a pineapple ring on top. Later when my father came out of his coma...
Globe Arizona (26)
...of the region’s growth, having been established as a camp for the many miners and prospectors that converged there in the 1870s. The economy still benefits from mining and tourists like...
Grand Canyon Arizona (27)
...to hunt mountain lions there. People enjoy the Grand Canyon Arizona in different ways today. Hikers love to come and people even try out their endurance running. Unfortunately, some people...
Hershey Chocolate (28)
...go wrong when taking a bite of one of those chocolate bars. They never last long around my house. Of course, those who are familiar with Hershey, know about Hersheypark. There are tons of...
High School Class Reunions (29)
...find the classmates on my list. Of course not all of my classmates have registered with these sites, but a significant number have, so I was able to get a very good initial guest list...
Hiking Socks (30)
...decided to go for a short hike. The three of us had hiking boots, but our friend had on sandals. She did not have any other foot gear along so I talked her into wearing hiking socks with her sandals....
Holiday Cottages In Scotland (31)
...would be wonderful to say the least. In fact, maybe it’s time to check out some outstanding holiday cottages in scotland. I have always wanted to visit this far off land. There’s...
Hollywood California (32)
...is the center of almost everything, but there is no center to it itself. It is all one vast smoggy sprawl spread all over Southern California. There is no place to walk around, no good public transit,...
Horseback Riding Vacation (33)
...and we exchanged our vows and celebrated with our family and friends. First thing in the morning we left for our horseback riding vacation honeymoon. I was beginning to have doubts about the idea...
Hotel Crown Plaza (34)
...night in a Hilton or Marriott doesn’t really matter. You can plan on having a bed that’s not your own and tossing and turning throughout the night. You can also bet on eating your...
Hotel Discount Coupons (35)
...it. This can save you some time and grieve when you are in line trying to use the coupon. Recently my husband and I decided to take a trip to a resort city that is located about two hundred...
Hunting And Fishing (36)
...lot over the years, the essential spirit is the same as in my grandfather’s day. It is true that the equipment is better. There are warmer clothes, better gear, and high-tech tracking equipment....
Iceland Vacation (37)
...active places on the planet. Most people speak English and the currency is the Icelandic Krona. Icelandair is the main airline and has runs to several European cities and US destinations, including...
Immigration To Australia (38)
...to consider immigration to Australia. They don’t want just anyone, and of course this is understandable. They need skilled workers, so this is what they are asking for. If you are considering...
Inexpensive Airfares (39)
...sky-rocket Are the numerous airlines competing with the gas prices We already have difficulty grappling with the cost of fuel for our vehicles. Therefore we definitely don’t need...
Information On Costa Rica (40)
...I decided to get some information on Costa Rica. I’ve always wanted to travel to the continent but I didn’t know which country would be best for the adventure. I figured that getting...
International Air Travel (41)
...that there are very many people who love to travel as much as me, but hate international airline travel as much as I do. Whether I fly first class, second class, or coach, international air travel...
International Calling Cards (42)
...international calling cards may be far less expensive than what your phone company may charge you. If you look through the front of your phone book, you will see what it will cost you to call...
International Health Insurance (43)
...die than treat them for free, international health insurance in Europe is top notch. Everyone is taken care of in the country, whether or not they can afford to pay for health care. I actually...
International Travel (44)
...Air travel in particular is harmful and it’s increasing all the time. My solution would be to limit the number of domestic flights at least. We have to do something or international...
Ireland Vacation (45)
...and has mountains and renowned beaches. In contrast, for those who like their scenery a bit more rugged, there are the three small islands that make up The Aran Islands in County Galway. The...
Italian Jewelry (46)
...and techniques of many cultures have been synthesized into the Italian jeweler’s repertoire, producing the stunning creations you’ll find in Italian jewelry design today....
Italian Shoes (47)
...more likely to become shoe gourmets, so to speak. Quality is soon perceived and desired, as with a good collection, shoes can last for years. Although men don’t generally have twenty five...
Jersey Shore (48)
...would do without her yearly trip to unwind. Her family has a cottage near the Jersey shore, so she doesn’t have to worry about accommodation while she is there. If you don’t...
Kuala Lumpur Malaysia (49)
...area. The most famous landmark in the city is the Petronas Twin Towers, once the tallest buildings in the world and still very imposing. The concrete, glass and steel design is distinctive...
Lake Michigan Salmon Fishing (50)
...father was never much of an outdoorsman. He didn’t really like camping. He liked to be able to sleep in his own bed every night, a sentiment that I could understand. Nonetheless, I had missed...
Language Schools Costa Rica (51)
...four in high school, and then proceeded to major in Spanish in college. This of course provided her with years of great foreign language education. But, it wasn’t enough for her to be...
Learning A Foreign Languague (52)
...surprised at how much I had retained, when I went on vacation to France. I’ve dabbled at Spanish and Italian but not got very far. Learning a foreign language does seem difficult for us Brits,...
Long Beach Island New Jersey (53)
...proximity, they each have something unique to offer visitors. It is a good idea to contact the Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce for some information before planning your trip to...
Low Cost Airlines (54)
...After flying on these low cost airlines, I would never use Northwest again. It costs much more, and the service is abysmal! What I didn’t realize was the pitfalls of low cost...
Malibu California (55)
...to mind. This Pacific coastal city in Los Angeles County is home to many movie stars and other celebrities. The area has been used as a location for numerous films and television shows, including...
Maps Of Australia (56)
...located, and you can often tell a lot about the country by where the most populated areas are. In most cases, you will notice larger cities near oceans or waterways, because ships were once the...
Melbourne Holiday (57)
...choice, and perhaps the most popular, don’t forget to see other parts of the country. If you want to see more than just one place, you should consider adding a Melbourne holiday to your...
Myrtle Beach Vacation (58)
...It is a humid and tropical heat that is smothering and sends people to the coast, searching for relief. One of the best things to do when there is a heat wave in South Carolina, as my army buddies...
Napa Valley Bed And Breakfast (59)
...in as many wine tasting events as we could attend. We even made a detailed itinerary before we left in order to ensure that we would make the best use of our vacation time. But as it turned out,...
Napa Valley Spas (60)
...surely heard of the Napa Valley. This is wine country, ladies and gentlemen. This is that magnificent place that millions resort to each and every year in order to wind down in napa valley...
Napa Valley Wine Tours (61)
...take a wine tour for many years now, but has never gotten around to it. It’s difficult when you live clear across the nation. I guess you could say she has got me stoked about the tour as...
New York Camping (62)
...Though many people do not like to camp in the winter, there are some that find this to be a lot of fun. New York camping has something for everyone because the state is large and there is...
New York City Calendar Of Events (63)
...is booming with business. One way to be certain you’re going to see what you traveled there for is by keeping up with the New York City calendar of events. This is a handy reference guide...
New York City Dinner Cruises (64)
...I first heard about these from the concierge of the hotel I was staying at. I asked him for some interesting New York dinner ideas. I thought he’d recommend a nice Italian restaurant...
New York City Events (65)
...York is all of the New York City events. If you look at a New York City calendar of events, you will see what I mean. It is absolutely packed! It seems like every block, there is a different...
New York City Travel (66)
...One of the first things to consider when you are picking the dates for your trip is cost. There are certain times of year when airfare and hotel costs are reduced. These off-season rates...
New York Entertainment (67)
...Big Apple, including airport information, hotel listings, maps, dining, shopping, and up-to-date information on current New York City entertainment and events. See the Metropolitan Opera or the...
New York Photos (68)
...it is just the glamor of it all that really gets me. There is something about the way the big apple looks that is hard to describe. People are so stylish there, and set in such dramatic relief...
One Way Flights (69)
...your flight. You can also take one way flights when you go on an adventure vacation. If you want to visit more than one place, but you don’t want to worry about a flight schedule,...
Outdoor Camping Equipment (70)
...get your tents, sleeping bags, and flashlights ready; we’re headed outdoors. Less than a month ago I was camping in a nearby woods with my daughter. She was the only one of my...
Outdoor Fire Pit (71)
...This allows for easier ash removal as well as easier access to mow around. We bought a park bench and two rocking chairs to place around the outdoor fire pit. It is amazing how relaxing it is to...
Outdoor Tents (72)
...there are many stores to choose from in this modern world. Take R.E.I. for instance. This is probably one of the largest outdoor and camping supply stores currently around. It’s a great place...
Passport Information (73)
...some people scrambling to get a passport. If you’ve been over the border by air in the past you know that you could get by with just a birth certificate and driver’s license. That isn’t...
Philadelphia Dinner Cruise (74)
...told me that was would be going on a Philadelphia dinner cruise for our anniversary. While the notion of a Philadelphia dinner cruise was really romantic, I had to consider whether...
Princeton New Jersey (75)
...geophysics and entomology. Former US President, Woodrow Wilson was a University President there. The environment in the town is elegant and many people live there and commute to workplaces...
Real Estate In Seattle (76)
...would be awesome, but I hadn’t been there yet. Anyway, as you already know, Oregon is the state right below Washington. This made it easy for me and my wife to cruise on up to Seattle....
Resort And Spa (77)
...vacation Let me tell you, these are ideal for couples. Whether you’re planning your honeymoon or just craving a break from the chaos of everyday life, a reputable resort and spa getaway...
Rhode Island Maps (78)
...the width of a state. I found myself getting lost simply because I was misjudging distances. A large detailed paper map would have done me a world of good in this case. Because Rhode...
Road Trips (79)
...trip to Iowa or Kansas Yeah now we’re talking. These places are the cream of the crop. Get it The cream of the crop Iowa has the whole corn thing going on. Oh, never mind....
Romantic Bed And Breakfast (80)
...in a romantic bed and breakfast with the wife. Oh, but not the kids. Nope, the kids are with the grandparents. Come on, work with me here. It’s high time you had that break from the little...
Royal Caribbean Cruises (81)
...the world, or maybe just to the Caribbean. But then something happens that changes everything. They watch "titanic." Suddenly the Royal Caribbean cruises and vacation packages don’t...
Sacramento California (82)
...(Hindus, not Native Americans, that is). Now it is a booming potential of promise and industry and progress. Sacramento, California was already a popular city, having a profound history...
Salt Water Fishing (83)
...when he went. You have to buy special rods and reels for salt water fishing, as you may suspect, because the fish in the ocean are just so much bigger than the ones you get in lakes and...
San Francisco Vacation (84)
...San Francisco area. With that in mind, I began to plan my San Francisco vacation. In planning my San Francisco vacation, I decided to figure out exactly what sites I needed to put on my must-see...
School Trips (85)
...backyard. The latter were my favorite, and I have great memories of the one I took in fourth grade in particular. This trip was one day, but the day started very early, and we got back...
Shows In London (86)
...borders on disgusting. It is why people hate Americans abroad. The native London theatre leaves the big, gaudy Disney productions in the dust. Seeing Broadway shows in London is like...
Ski Trips (87)
...several of their cousins. My sisters usually plan ski trips during the winter months, but not over the holiday season. I asked my sisters if they would be willing to plan their ski trips...
Ski Vacations (88)
...packages at the last minute. In fact, ski vacations are more affordable than ever before, with global warming scaring many people away from risking taking a ski trip and finding it...
South America Adventure (89)
...world is equally fascinating and scuba divers and snorkelers like to go to La Paz in Bolivia. There are numerous world class diving spots in the bay at La Paz and the azure waters are as clear as...
Southern Recipes (90)
...own Southern recipes, reflecting the traditions of Native Americans and ideas brought from Africa, France and the Caribbean. It all makes for a tasty melting pot of dishes. It’s not always...
Space Walk (91)
...I have followed the events of space exploration. I wouldn’t be able to be an astronaut myself because I’m claustrophobic and I would suffer from motion sickness. It would be terrific...
Spanish Lessons (92)
...likely the extent of it. With a few Spanish lessons online you may find your memory coming back to you, and a few other things you thought you forgot are still there. Although you can purchase...
Student Travel Discounts (93)
...That is typically in the form of a student identification card which when presented, allows the individual a savings. In some cases, there are special student travel discounts for a particular...
Summer Holidays (94)
...it all and relax. Finding the best cheap summer holidays is not just a matter of convenience or entertainment – it is a matter of survival. Without going on a summer vacation now and then,...
Summer Job Opportunities (95)
...limited amount of time that I worked. The summer jobs I did were all about having adventures. If you are a student and you take summer job opportunities with the intention of making a lot of money,...