5* self catering -- any other companies apart from rural retreats?

[mulranno]

is this the only company that does decent accomodation in the uk

Are you after booking agents or specific resorts? This one www.the-valley.co.uk is 5*. Where are you looking at within UK?

One of my friends has used Premier Cottages and they are apparently good.

Have you looked at ownersdirect.co.uk for the UK - have used them abroad and are looking into a holiday later this year and some of them are so nice!!