Top 10 Thatched Cottages

From Devon to north Yorkshire, here are ten of Britain's most picturesque properties

The picturesque timbered façade sets the tone of this Grade II-listed cottage, which dates from the 14th century. The interiors also have plenty of period charm with wood panelling, stone fireplaces and beamed ceilings. Chesterton Humberts.

Read more about this and other properties on the website of our sister magazine, Country Life.

Little Thatch, Monkton, Devon

A canopied entrance porch welcomes guests to this impossibly pretty, Grade II-listed cottage, with its heavily beamed sitting and dining rooms. Outside, the lovely gardens are shaded by beautiful trees including lilacs, a magnolia and a Japanese maple. Strutt & Parker. Read more about this and other properties on the website of our sister magazine, Country Life.

Woodroffe House, Westington, Gloucestershire

Once home to stained-glass artist Paul Woodroffe, this postcard-pretty cottage has an eclectic mix of charming features, including stone mullioned casements, timber panelling, exposed beams, an Inglenook fireplace and a window to the front gable with a floral feature and a Latin inscription by Woodroffe. Sotheby’s International Realty. Read more about this and other properties on the website of our sister magazine, Country Life.

Combe Wood House, Salcombe Regis, Devon

The views alone would be a good reason to buy this Grade II-listed, whitewashed cottage, which stands in one of the Salcombe Valley’s most beautiful combes. The pretty windows look out across farmland and woodland to the sea. But the cosy interiors, with two Inglenook fireplaces and plenty of exposed timbers, are almost as beautiful. Savills. Read more about this and other properties on the website of our sister magazine, Country Life.

The Spinney, Wimborne, Dorset

It's hard to tell what's more attractive at The Spinney: whether the 18th-century cottage with its exposed beams, Inglenook fireplaces and oak panelling or the wonderful grounds with a lake, an arboretum and whimsical wooden carvings of forest animals. Chewton Rose. Read more on this property, or read about other great properties on the website of our sister magazine Country Life.

Thistledown, Mill Lane, Northiam, East Sussex

Properties hardly come more picturesque than this Grade II-listed, 16th-century cottage, Set in enchanting gardens off an unmade track, it exudes period charm with its timbed framed façade under a thatched roof, enormous Inglenook fireplaces in both the living and sitting rooms and heavily timbered walls and ceilings. Phillips & Stubbs. Read more on this property, or read about other great properties on the website of our sister magazine Country Life.

Manor Cottage, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire

The only thatched house in Knaresborough, Manor Cottage is also one of the town's oldest buildings. Inside, it has many fine details such as the vaulted ceiling and timber panelling in the entrance hall or the exposed beams and stone fireplace in the drawing room. The windows open onto the river Nidd, the stone viaduct and the ruins of Knaresborough Castle. Jackson-Stops & Staff. Read more about this and other properties on the website of our sister magazine, Country Life.

Beer Farm, Beercrocombe, Somerset

Grade II-listed Beer Farm has it all: a rose and wisteria-clad stone façade under a thatched roof, picturesque lead light windows, beautifully renovated interiors with period flagstone floors, cross beam ceilings and Inglenook fireplaces - and enough land to enjoy a taste of the Good Life! Knight Frank.   Read more about this and other properties on the website of our sister magazine, Country Life.

Beam Cottage, Houghton Hampshire

With its manicured grounds and cream washed façade, this Grade II-listed cottage would not look out of place on the lid of a chocolate box. Inside, the main rooms are also high on country charm, with exposed timbers, brick fireplaces and terracotta tiled flooring. The master bedroom, which enjoys open views to the River Test is especially welcoming. Evans and Partridge. Read more on this property, or read about other great properties on the website of our sister magazine Country Life.

Vale Cottage, Stert, Wiltshire

This magical, wisteria-swathed cottage stands sentinel over its luxuriant gardens and the rolling countryside beyond. The best place to soak up the views is the oak-beamed garden room, which has huge windows along three sides. Hamptons International. Read more about this and other properties on the website of our sister magazine, Country Life.