Area Daily: National Trust Cottages and Historic House Hotels in UK

Toast the Christmas season in the beautiful English countryside. Rent a quaint English country home for a week (a la Cameron Diaz’s character in the film The Holiday) and enjoy the quiet side of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. England’s National Trust has over 360 holiday cottages that cost less for a week than many country hotels cost for a two night stay! Join the National Trust’s American branch, The Royal Oak Foundation ($55), before departing and save extra money on the holiday cottages.

And if Christmas time isn’t for you - live like a noble during overnight stays in Historic House Hotels and, as a Royal Oak member, pop into over 350 National Trust destinations for free. Three Historic House Hotels in the English countryside - Bodysgallen Hall, Hartwell House, and Middlethorpe Hall - are offering a 25% discount with the purchase of a Royal Oak Foundation membership. Valid through May 31, 2009.