Chocolate box cottages in the English countryside are highly sought-after, and the latest figures suggest this continues to be the case.
There are only 20 thatched cottages to rent across the entire country on property website Zoopla.
We pick five of these desirable properties and take a look inside at their feature fireplaces and low ceilings with wooden beams.
We pick five appealing rental properties with thatched roofs, including this cottage in the Norfolk village of Woodbastwick (scroll down for more details)
Their rental prices range from the cheapest in our list at £850 a month for a one-bedroom cottage in Northamptonshire, moving through to the highest at more than double that amount a month for a five-bedroom cottage in Norfolk.
They all share the common factor of being in the countryside with far-reaching rural views.
It follows the latest data showing that the average rent in Britain was £1,175 a month in February, up 0.3 per cent on the previous month.
Andy Halstead, of HomeLet & Let Alliance – which produced the data – said: ‘The rental market continues to suffer from a lack of available properties to meet surging demand.
‘If the number of properties available fails to increase in line with demand, then prices will inevitably remain high and climb even higher as the battle between tenants to secure a property intensifies.’
Five rental properties with thatched roofs…
1. Five-bed cottage, Woodbastwick, £2,250 a month
This thatched cottage is on the village green of Woodbastwick, Norfolk, and is to rent for £2,250 a month via Minors & Brady lettings agents
The rental property has three living rooms – all with feature fireplaces – including this one with a stone floor and beams on the ceiling
There is a large garden with a lawn area as well as an outdoor tennis court towards the rear
This thatched cottage is on the village green of Woodbastwick, Norfolk, and has five bedrooms.
It has three living rooms – all with feature fireplaces – as well as a large garden with a tennis court.
It is being offered to rent unfurnished for £2,250 a month and is available via Minors & Brady lettings agents.
2. Three-bed cottage, Tewkesbury, £1,950 a month
This thatched semi-detached house is in the quiet village of Grafton, near Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire – and is for rent for £1,950 a month via Elliot Oliver sales and lettings
The rental property dates back to the 15th century and includes this striking feature fireplace
The kitchen combines modern grey cabinets with stone flooring and beams on the ceiling
The pretty bathroom also includes beams on the wall and ceilings, as well as a roll top bath
This thatched semi-detached house is in the quiet village of Grafton, near Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire.
It dates back to the 15th century and has three bedrooms. It is being rented unfurnished for £1,950 a month via Elliot Oliver sales and lettings.
3. One-bed cottage, Milton Malsor, £850 a month
This one-bedroom thatched cottage is in the West Northamptonshire village of Milton Malsor
The property is unfurnished and is to rent for £850 a month via Richard Greener lettings agents
This one-bedroom thatched cottage is in the West Northamptonshire village of Milton Malsor.
It is unfurnished and is to rent for £850 a month via Richard Greener lettings agents.
4. Four-bed house, Hollacombe, £1,550 a month
This thatched house is in the hamlet of Hollacombe , just outside of Crediton, Devon
The house includes this modern kitchen that was designed with a country cottage in mind
The property is available to rent unfurnished for £1,550 a month via Helmores lettings agents
This thatched house is in the hamlet of Hollacombe, just outside of Crediton, Devon.
The property was built in 2008 and was designed to take full advantage of the countryside views.
It has four bedrooms and is available to rent unfurnished for £1,550 a month via Helmores lettings agents.
5. Three-bed semi-detached house, Blandford Forum, £1,200
This eighteenth century cottage in Dorset’s Blandford Forum is made from cob and thatch
There is a large country-cottage kitchen, where there are stairs leading to the three bedrooms
The rental cottage is available to rent for £1,200 a month via Symonds & Sampson lettings agents
This eighteenth century cottage in Dorset’s Blandford Forum is made from cob and thatch.
It has three bedrooms and is available to rent for £1,200 a month via Symonds & Sampson lettings agents.
