Hi Bolly. Welcome to SW.
I would suggest (IMO) going for a Hermanns, Ibera or a Horsefield.
I will be babbling a bit here, so bear with me. I may ask for confirmation on things. So see what others say.
Firstly I would say buy your tortoise from a reputable breeder, there is a list somewhere on this site. I am not a great lover of pet shops, they tend to give bad advice ..having said that not ALL can be like this. But I think a breeder is the best way forward.
Housing - for the species above IMO I would go for a tortoise table. Any of the species above will be fine with this sort of housing. Something like a 4/5ft x 2ft table...maybe a little smaller but be prepared to "upgrade" to a larger table if they start to grow.
You will need to line the table with something like tarpaulin to protect the table (usually they are wood) from moisture damaging it. Use a staple gun to fix the tarpaulin to the table. It needs to partially cover a bit of the sides.
Substrate - I would go with either sterilised topsoil/sand or just topsoil. For sand/topsoil - approx 70%/30% ratio. Sand however with some, may irritate the torts eyes. I have just topsoil in mine. And it works fine. Spread this all over the inside, on the lining.
Depth - may need confirmation here. 6/7 inches...maybe a little deeper for Horsefield torts as they like to dig, so like a deep substrate.
Lighting - IMO, I recommend a combined UV/Heat bulb. UV and heat are the most important things for a tortoise, as well as a good diet.
This one below is what I have and many other owners. The reviews from people are very good. With all the links - you might want to shop about for better prices. I use this supplier as his delivery is very very fast. And he has never let me down, his advice on the products he sells is also excellent.
Combined UV/heat bulb:
http://reptilekeeping.co.uk/arcadia-...27-p-4363.html
For this bulb, you will need to suspend it on a stand. Again, shop about. But the stand needs to be the STANDARD/Deluxe stand.
http://reptilekeeping.co.uk/zoo-med-...20-p-1056.html
You also need a holder to screw the bulb into. This holder will take the wattage of the bulb and you just hook it on the stand!
http://reptilekeeping.co.uk/zoo-med-...or-p-1829.html
Put some stones around the basking spot as it is dangerous for a tort to topple onto his back.
The cool end should house his sleeping area. Some tort tables have built in hides (these have lids that you put on, take off) some dont. If the table you buy doesnt. Some people use half ceramic pots, or habba huts made of wood.
Here is a habba hut:
http://reptilekeeping.co.uk/zoo-med-...ge-p-1141.html
They come in lots of sizes to suit.
Also you will need to put a water dish inside the enclosure...however, this will depend on how big/old your tort is wen you first get it. It needs to be very shallow for a young tort, and some owners put little stones inside the dish so that the tort can easily climb in and out.
Well I hope this helps a bit.
With the diet/food - you can start another post and we can cover things to feed and not to feed. Mostly it should be weed based, however there are other choices of diet to choose from.
**Be aware that with UV/Heat combined bulbs, you must follow the height restrictions. There is a min height. And a max. It must point vertically downwards and NOT at an angle. There will be instructions either in the box, or on the box. These must be followed.
The bulbs come with a 6 month warranty. The one above, is 12months. This means if it blows within the warranty - withh proof of purchase, you can replace you bulb - no questions asked.**
See what others say. These are just my thoughts - others may do things differently. Take in as much as you can and you will be fine...in due time.
When you get your tort - BE prepared. He might act very timid, nervous...sleep alot and not be very active. This is NORMAL. He will take some time to settle in with you. Torts do not like change so he will feel this way for a bit. Persevere...you will both be fine.
xx