The Granary, Larkbeare Grange

Charlie and Julia (handily next door in their B&B) are passionate conservationists (a biomass boiler, underfloor heating, locally-sourced building materials, natural oils, water-based paints) but they haven’t compromised on aesthetics in their larch-cladded creation. Find a thoughtfully designed open space with a contemporary feel, a living room with an L-shaped sofa, sleek wooden floors, a bio-ethanol fire, a flat screen 3D telly, an excellent kitchen with sharp knives (Charlie is a chef) and giant glass doors for views over the East Devon countryside; fling them open on sunny days (you may hear the distant hum of the A30 but it’s quieter at night). There’s an outdoor shower here too, for muddy children (or dogs) and both can cavort safely in the garden surrounded by fields. Bedrooms are on either side of the living room: find well-dressed beds, good lighting and glass doors to bring the outside in. Borrow bikes for adventurous days, start walking straight from the door, return to a soak in a proper big bath with Eco-Boutique’s goodies (from one you can watch telly with a floating remote.) Lovely.