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

Where Jesuits once tilled this quiet valley – on the outskirts of Angoulême, down a leafy lane – stands a pretty gîte ringed by wild flowers. Adrian and Vicky have transformed the old farm stables with imagination, colour and mementos from travels. Lovely to relax by a roaring log stove in the lofty galleried living room, or cook up veggies from your welcome basket in the end kitchen. Warm paints brighten rustic wood, fresh flowers dance on writing desks, an antique mirror gleams above a red claw-foot bath. Green views entice, not least from the shaded terrace and barbecue, or tiny natural swimming pool. At the bottom of the garden is Adrian's organic vegetable patch – whose produce he may cook for dinner with a roast guinea fowl, tarte tatin and bottle of St Emilion. (Arrange in advance – breakfast also.) It's a place to relax and feel at ease: explore romanesque Cognac country, and the markets, boutiques and restaurants of Angoulême; whizz to Bordeaux on the train; swim, kayak or fish in nearby rivers and lakes. If there are more than seven of you, toss a coin over who gets to sleep in the yurt.