Originally posted by Lord Lucan I think you were right the first time. There are hardly any thatched roofs here in Wales, in fact I can't say I have ever noticed any, although there might be some near the English border further north from where I am. Older Welsh houses have slate roofs, and many modern ones have fake slate. I doubt you would find much thatch in Scotland either. Your photo looks like it is in the Cotswolds, and for those who don't know the UK, there are not many parts of it that look like that; such places are almost museums.
Now that you mention it, I remember that Wales as a lot of slate, and a good roofing material it is. The house I was born into had a slate roof that my father was quite proud to have. Slate outlasts typical shingles, but isn't as easy to install or repair.
I'd have to do some research to find the location where the image I posted was taken. We were on a paleontological field trip visiting fossil localities especially along the coast. A fellow who lived along this street was a well-known very successful collector. He had many really fine specimens in his house which was behind me in the posted image. Traveling in a tour coach you're not always aware precisely where you're going or where it is you have stopped.