There's nothing quite like the snug delight of a weekend in the country.

You have log fires, hearty roasts and the prospect of a gentle amble by the river or down on the beach - that's if you can tear yourself away from that gripping book you've finally found time to read over a warming glass of Pinot.

As the winter air draws in, our thoughts have turned to next year's breaks. It's just about the right time to start pencilling in a few weekends away and where better to start than the UK?

We have a wealth of attractions to choose from right here on our doorstep (so to speak), from the rugged charms of the Scottish Highlands to the peaceful ambiance of the Somerset Levels.

Rather obligingly, the folks over at UK travel experts holidaycottages.co.uk have put together their top British destinations for 2015, based on their own most popular locations.

We've added in the best places to stay for each hot spot, from boutique hotels to cosy self-catering cottages. Read on and get that mini-break getaway sorted:

Escape to the country: the top five UK travel destinations of 2015