The best thing to do would be to read up about the different species and their requirements for housing, food, heat, UV etc... All tortoises will require some indoor accommodation, but that could be in the form of a heated and insulated shed or garage. Young tortoises can be housed in open top tortoise tables on cooler days, and all will require heat and UV lamps when inside.

Have a look at the care sheets and also the photo gallery for some brilliant ideas for indoor and outside housing/accommodation.

The more tropical species like Leopards, Sulcata, Redfoots, Indian Stars and some North African species dont hibernate and have specific heating requirements, Redfoots, yellowfoots and Boxies also need a higher humidity, so you would have to take into account feeding and heating 24/7 all through autumn, winter and spring, and of course on cooler days through summer.

If you want a young tortoise, please buy from a recommended UK breeder, if you want an older one, then you consider applying for a rehomer, its very rewarding in so many ways.

Good luck with your research, and your choice of tortoise.

Laraine