English Country Cottages

English Country Cottages cosy, charming and in harmony with the countryside. They are the rustic beauties of the British Isles.

When travellers visit England, or when we Brits return from travel abroad, one of the most pleasing sights is that of the cottage with its cheerful garden and dripping thatch roof that gives us the impression of rural bliss.

You will find them nestled among the trees growing out of the countryside, approachable and welcoming, built by handmany years ago and lived in by generations, they still stand, a reminder of a more romantic perhaps gentler time.They represent the idea of the "good life" and all though over time the cottage and cottager has endured a lot, thankfully this history is behind us.

Their charm is that they are approachable, they are smaller than the English country or manor house and less imposing. Some are more stunning than others but they all grow from the landscape in which they belong.

Each area of England has its own style of cottage. It is combination of the complex geology of the British Isles and a local vernacular tradition of building that makes them unique.

In the limestone belt of England you can find the stone cottages.The West Country has enchanting cob cottages, and in the once heavily forested areas of England you will find the timber-framed cottages.

This section is dedicated to England's country cottages. In here you will find information about the history and types of vernacular architecture of England's traditional country cottages.

"Cottage has a charmingly sweet sound, and is, perhaps more suggestive of comfortable thoughts than of anyother word in our language, but that of home."

WILLIAM H.RANTELL, "The Architect" 1871

English Country Cottages Index

Old English Cottages. Discover the history of old cottages

Cottage Plans Learn how to create your own cottage

English Thatched Cottage Thatched cottages and thatching

Cob Cottage Cob cottages and cob building

Timber-Frame Cottage Timber frame cottage and building

Wattle And Daub The ancient craft used on timber frame

English Stone Cottage Stone cottage and stone building

Old Photos Vintage cottage photography of Francis Frith

Cottage Decorating Decoration and design inspiration

Cottage Style Furniture Classics to furnish your cottage

English Cottage Gardens The next chapter...Create the garden of your dreams

Top of English Country Cottages

Back to English Cottage Lifestyle Home Page