Fancy swapping the hustle and bustle of the city for rolling hills and wide open spaces after lockdown? With many estate agents reporting a rising interest in rural relocations, now's the time to start planning your move to the country. What's more, an idyllic retreat doesn't have to break the bank. From stone walls to exposed beams and cosy fireplaces, plus spectacular views as standard, these charming cottages can be yours for less than £200,000.

If you're thinking of downsizing once restrictions are lifted, it doesn't get much better than this one-bedroom beauty, for sale with Yopa via Rightmove. Located in South Lanarkshire in Scotland, this chocolate-box cottage is surrounded by rugged rural landscapes. Despite the home's traditional appearance, it benefits from a modern refurb, carried out within the last year.

The open brick fireplace, complete with a cosy wood-burning stove, offers the perfect spot to warm up after a long hike across the local countryside. There's no shortage of charm in this living room – just look at that quaint wooden panelling and dado rail!

The compact kitchen provides just enough space to whip up a glorious Sunday lunch, while traditional windows with astragal bars complete the classic cottage aesthetic. Modern details complement the historic fixtures – the exposed brick wall adds an industrial feel that brings the home bang up to date.

Upstairs, sloping ceilings in the bedroom frame a cosy, intimate space that's ideal for retiring when you've finished exploring the hills. However, the room feels far from cramped thanks to the large skylight that draws in plenty of sunshine. Spotlights have been installed throughout as part of the cottage’s recent renovation.

Stone walls adorned with climbing ivy give this enchanting end-of-terrace cottage no end of appeal. Built from stone, the one-bedroom property in the valley of Weardale comes with its own garden and an outdoor storage building – all for less than £100,000.

In the lounge, a stone hearth and wood-burning stove form a characterful focal point, complemented by gorgeous exposed timber beams that span the full width of the room, plus sliding sash windows and whitewashed walls. When it comes to rustic charm, this rural gem is a real find.

The staircase leads up from the kitchen to the large bedroom, which is a generously sized double. Dual-aspect windows ensure the room is bright and airy, allowing you to take in those sublime rural views without having to climb out of bed.

Outside, the cottage garden is enclosed by traditional stone walls and is home to a range of mature shrubbery – with a little work, it could make a picture-perfect kitchen garden. Surrounded by fells, moorland and woods, there's no shortage of natural beauty spots to explore from the property.

Situated at the heart of Llansilin village, six miles from Oswestry, this Grade II-listed cottage serves up character in spades. However, this historic home has a surprisingly modern interior – the mid-terrace house has been fully refurbished throughout and benefits from a host of contemporary features.

The front door leads straight into the quaint lounge, which is framed by beautiful exposed timber beams overhead. The feature fireplace hosts a ‘Hobbit’ multi-fuel stove on a tiled hearth, ideal for cosy nights in. Upstairs, the home offers one large bedroom and stylish bathroom, complete with a clawfoot tub.

The cottage’s kitchen is decked out with wooden worktops, a Belfast-style sink, exposed timber ceiling beams and modern floor tiles that recreate the effect of traditional stone flags. Thanks to the warming underfloor heating, this snug home is sure to be comfortable all year round.

A neatly paved terrace to the rear of the cottage provides a sunny spot for alfresco entertaining, complete with gorgeous countryside views. There’s plenty of room for pots, plants and a barbecue in this low-maintenance garden, plus there's a useful stone-built outbuilding for storage.

It’s a case of love at first sight with this two-bed thatched cottage, nestled within the Leicestershire village of Sapcote. Believed to be more than 200 years old, Gnome Cottage comes with outdoor gardens to the front and rear, offering picturesque views overlooking the village church.

In the lounge, overhead timber beams, exposed brickwork and a picture rail tick off two of our country cottage must-haves. A stunning oak-tread staircase with a traditional spindle balustrade leads directly from the living room to the first floor.

The light-filled kitchen features a traditional-style cooker and stylish modern metro tiles, while double doors allow light to flood in and offer easy access to the garden. Along with more timber beams and a brick feature fireplace, what more could you want from a quintessential cottage kitchen?

Upstairs, there are two bedrooms, but the incredible master has to be our favourite space. The pièce de résistance is the original sloping ceiling, which shows the age of the heritage property. The two bedrooms are linked by a handy Jack and Jill bathroom that maximises the compact floorplan of the property. If you're after a home with an amazing history, look no further.

Built in 1751, this two-bedroom semi-detached cottage in the small Welsh village of Nantglyn serves up the best of both worlds: an array of charming original features within a recently renovated home. A picket fence encircles the pretty front garden, leading to a picture-perfect stable door entrance.

In the lounge, attractive period features include a vast inglenook fireplace with a cast-iron wood-burning stove on a raised slate hearth. We can’t resist the exposed beam ceiling either. Wouldn’t this be the perfect spot to curl up with a good book?

The homely country-style kitchen is airy and charming, with all manner of authentic details. The deep Belfast sink and its antique chrome mixer tap add instant character, complementing the stunning traditional flagstone floor and gorgeous ceiling beams.

Bathed in sunshine thanks to the Velux window overhead, the main bedroom is a generous double. A double-glazed casement window offers views of the pretty country gardens and beyond, while the steel flue adds an industrial twist to the classic space.

Once restrictions are eased, we reckon Owl Cottage would be the perfect bolthole to relocate to in the Highlands. The 19th-century cottage enjoys a rural position in the small remote village of Aberchalder, less than five miles from the mouth of Loch Ness.

Originally a pair of semi-detached homes, the cottage has been converted, restored and revamped to create a welcoming country home. The vaulted open-plan living area features solid oak flooring, a whitewashed panelled ceiling, a slate hearth and dual-aspect windows that maximise the rural vistas.

With its cream Shaker-style units and snug breakfast bar, the kitchen is kitted out for modern living. There's even an array of state-of-the-art appliances, from the gas cooker, fridge and freezer to a dishwasher and stylish stainless steel sink. To the left of the kitchen, a stable door offers access to the lawned garden, complete with mature shrubs, a raised patio, garden shed and stone-built barbecue.

Offering two sizeable double bedrooms across the single-storey floor plan, the L-shaped master includes a walk-in wardrobe and a snug shelved alcove. Next door, the contemporary bathroom has a combined bath and shower, with underfloor heating fitted beneath the tiled flooring.

If you'd like to swap your city apartment for a rural home after lockdown, grab your walking boots and get ready for a scenic ramble across the Yorkshire Dales. Situated in Shipley, this traditional three-bed cottage is the perfect pad to explore the area's rural delights. Enclosed by a craggy stone wall and wooden fence, the garden offers a sunny spot for entertaining and soaking up the views.

Inside, the stylish light-filled living room oozes authentic cottage character thanks to the exposed beams overhead. A set of French doors open out onto the private garden, which benefits from stunning views over the Saltaire World Heritage Site.

Leading through to the galley kitchen, this gorgeous stone archway is one of our favourite features in the property and provides an authentic reminder of the home's history. Contemporary cabinetry and appliances bring the space up to scratch for modern living.

Offering three bedrooms in total, this quirky home is ideal for a small family. With its large picture window and airy proportions, the master bedroom provides a peaceful retreat from the rest of the house, complete with an ensuite bathroom and two built-in wardrobes. The textured detailing on the plaster ceiling adds to the space's rustic charm.

This Grade II-listed thatched cottage is pretty as a picture. Tucked away in a quiet location in the Devon village of Morchard Bishop, it comes with a pretty west-facing garden where you can kick back and take in the rural vistas. There’s also a cob, stone and block outbuilding – the perfect space to store gardening tools.

In the lounge, the wood-burning stove, nestled inside a broad stone fireplace, is the star of the show, while engineered oak flooring imparts extra country character. To the rear of the room there's a sweet window seat where you can admire the garden or curl up with a book.

The pretty cottage kitchen has been sensitively updated to preserve the historic heart of the home. You'll find all the modern appliances a budding chef could want, including a twin oven, block-style worktops and a deep Belfast-style sink.

Upstairs, the property's three bedrooms each come with charming window seats, offering spectacular views over the surrounding countryside. Also situated on the first floor, the bathroom has been recently revamped and features pretty wood panelling and a bathtub. It just goes to show that affordable dream homes do exist if you know where to look...