A friendly, generous, big old house with not an ounce of pretension. Big families will adore gathering here to have fun and unwind

What a surprise to find a masseria in the heart of a Puglian village. Welcome to Anna’s elegant agriturismo

A beautifully restored building in a vast, open space dotted with olive trees and fragrant citrus - unwind in the calming atmosphere

An elegant manor house with pretty bedrooms, pool and large grounds. Nathalie looks after you with ease and sets you up with big breakfasts

A large, pretty garden and cider orchards surround this neat-as-a-pin restored barn with an open-plan feel, high ceilings and exposed beams

Chat long with gentle hosts over home-grown dinners; see stars above, walks, rivers and wildlife all around. Rustic comfort in rural Burgos

If you need a great place in which to relax and don’t want to pay too much for it, try these excellent suites, which spoil you all the way

Furniture from home-grown wood, reclaimed tiles - beautiful. The Jurassic Coast is near, Bridport's antiques, too. Cycle, walk, spot birds

Charming cottage in a vast garden with a swimming pool and boule; walk to the nearest village, drive to Côte d'Azur in less than an hour

Pristine and elegant rural farmhouse with sophisticated interiors and lovely owners who go the extra mile to make your stay special

A romantic retreat with a pool in the heart of the wild and wonderful Lot valley - come for bracing hikes, river swims and stunning views

A small, trendy hotel, very much of its time, with oodles of style, stunning bedrooms and fantastic staff

For retreats, groups of friends, and big families: come to recharge the senses at this special and ancient house enveloped by wild gardens

Atmospheric English pub with rooms by the green with its duck ponds in a pretty village, with walking and cycling routes to join

A gorgeous big old house on a farm in a very quiet part of Wiltshire - the undiscovered North Wessex Downs, filled with wildlife and an AONB

An old farmhouse in a hilltop town deep in wine country, with a charming owner intent on ensuring you make the most of your stay

Comfortable home with wood fires, gracious bedrooms and convivial living rooms. The drive is full of blossom and daffodils in spring