Ally

From the Independent..

Maid? Gourmet meals? Rhiannon Batten uncovers UK cottages with all the trimmings...

Tower Hill Leicestershire

It may look like a traditional country pad, but this is no ordinary holiday home. The bathrooms are by Fired Earth and come with Molton Brown toiletries; there's a "cordon bleu" kitchen, private cinema, indoor pool and sauna. Guests are welcomed with a "meet and greet" tour and champagne reception. They can also use the leisure facilities at nearby Stapleford Park Hotel.

Towerhill, Stainby, near Buckminster, Rutland (0871 250 5115; www.luxurybreaks.co.uk). A week's rental of the six-bedroom property starts at £3,995.

Owlpen Manor, Gloucestershire

A cluster of medieval buildings set around a Tudor manor, Owlpen is your quintessential rural English retreat. It is run along the lines of a country-house hotel. Nine of the properties have been converted into upmarket guest cottages and the estate's former cider house has been pressed into service as a restaurant. Thanks to a concierge-like reception facility, you can order home-cooked gourmet meals delivered to the door, arrange car service, book airport transfers, have flowers sent over or a tea tray waiting when you arrive. Still not enough to tempt you? Breakfast hampers, laundry, babysitting and maid service can also be arranged.

Owlpen Manor, near Uley, Gloucestershire (01453 860261; www.owlpen.com). Four nights' rental of a two-person cottage starts at £185.

Ally

Kinnaird Estate, Perthshire

The estate's grand Edwardian house operates as a conventional (Relais and Châteaux) hotel. But the two courtyard cottages can be rented for self-catering holidays or used as large suites, making the most of all the services of the main house just as a hotel guest would. Both cottages have lovely views over the Tay. Facilities include salmon or trout fishing and the hotel's small beauty salon. Alternatively you could just sit by the fire and play lord or lady of the manor. The hotel's restaurant with its purpose-built smokehouse is another attraction.

Kinnaird Estate, by Dunkeld, Perthshire (01796 482440; www.kinnairdestate.com). One night's rental of a two-person cottage starts at £300 half board, or £115 per night self-catered.

Arundel House, Wiltshire

Built in the 19th century as a dower house, Arundel's claim to fame is that it was rented by Rudyard Kipling (his parents lived in Tisbury). As with all of the company's properties (which have expanded to cover London, Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire as well as Norfolk), guests are provided with five-star facilities via a concierge service. Whether you want to ride in a vintage car, stop for a posh picnic, enjoy a massage or have a private chef, it can all be arranged. You'll be welcomed with a hamper, and daily maid and babysitting services are included.

Arundel House, Tisbury, Wiltshire (01485 518717; www.thegreatescapeholiday.co.uk). A week's rental for 10 people starts at £3,000.

The Valley Cornwall

A collection of 46 stone- and timber-clad cottages spread out over a 13-acre site, the Valley oozes contemporary beach-shack chic. The properties feature sleek white walls, neutral furnishings, TVs and DVD players. There are also swimming pools, a gym, tennis court, squash court and games room. A restaurant, Café Azur, serves local produce. Following boutique cottage philosophy, guests can also order food from the restaurant to be delivered to their cottage, join one of several fitness classes or get daily housekeeping.

The Valley, Bissoe Road, Carnon Downs, Truro, Cornwall (01872 862194; www.the-valley.co.uk). Three-nights' rental of a cottage sleeping four starts at £248.