Special Places to Stay - More than a bed for the night

The setting of this solid stone 17th-century farmhouse is breathtaking: views of hills and woodland fill every window. This is a sensitive restoration by the photographer owner who lives with wife Gilly and their family in the other half of the building. Walls are thick and space plentiful. The kitchen/dining room is immense with warm wooden flooring, a wood-burner in the ancient hearth, an antique table for family feasts; the sitting room has colour-washed walls, some exposed stone, comfortable sofas – easy and delightful. One double room is downstairs, the other four are in the attic with gabled ceilings, white walls, no clutter. There are books, games, a video library and Tim's photographs on the walls (ask about his courses on landscape photography). Also in this mini hamlet, sharing farmyard, games room and pool, are a barn and a cottage. So, a chance to be sociable, but to be private too. Medieval, hilltop Curemonte, waving to you across the valley, has a market that opens in summer, and there are masses of castles and caves to discover.