A peaceful grown-up place circled by meadows and woodland with helpful owners next door – a superb spot to explore the south-west

A lovely big house with huge riverside gardens and an easy-going charm – a 15-minute walk from bookish Hay-on-Wye

Traditional B&B in a beautiful château bursting with history and surrounded by formal gardens, then farmland and two fine rivers

The largest of three secluded cottages that share a gravel courtyard and a beautiful garden with cathedral views

Come for history, wildlife and a stunning garden estate with acres to roam. Bring children and dogs too. Fabulous

A peaceful and unpretentious spot for a digital detox with long walks up on the moors and fabulous views from the top

In the heart of arts and craft town Chipping Campden, a beautifully decorated 17th-century house with a celebrated restaurant downstairs

An old chapel, smartly and sustainably converted, with a hot tub to soothe tired limbs after country walks through fells and dales

Surrounded by its vineyards, a Tuscan villa for a memorable, stylish treat of a stay - a sophisticated décor and opulence at every turn

Come for sumptuous bedrooms, fine dining, colourful gardens and charming staff at this smart hotel and restaurant

In the city of Trapani, at the foot of Mount Erice, a nobleman's villa with a warm heart and exotic gardens. A hop from the Egadi Islands

Immerse yourself, luxuriously, in beautiful rural Picardy – mirabelle jam, peaceful parkland, walking in the hills – near historic Amiens

On the outskirts of Marazion, this timber clad house perched above the sea is a super pad for romantic couples

Five beautiful and fully accessible cottages on an organic farm for restful retreats with family or friends – a Sawday's Community Champion

Sweet Grade II listed fisherman's terrace cottage for 4 (+ 1) close to the centre of bustling St Ives; a place to escape to year-round

An authentic, charming and spacious home with garden, pool and lake, deep in the Dordogne valley and decorated with uncluttered elegance

Wood-burners, water sports and wildlife at four cosy farm conversions a half mile from their own quay. Wild swimming and barbecues await

A traditional country house experience with plenty of space for big family get-togethers, on a very old estate with fascinating gardens