A stunner of a setting for this restored croft house with long views to a sparkling loch and a lively village nearby. Good beaches too

Head down the Strood causeway and step back in time for a slice of Mersea Island's old-world charm: beaches, fresh oysters & a charming inn

A pleasing (not very little) place to stay in the heart of a wood within the unspoilt countryside of the South Downs National Park

A charming base in historic Beaulieu - expect delicious food, traditional country-house interiors, and walks that start from the front door

A cosy, beautifully refurbished flat in a Georgian house bang in the middle of the unspoilt town with its pretty streets and houses

Style, comfort and tranquillity combine in a lovely B&B near Bergerac. Sleep in elegant four-poster beds, breakfast on the sunny terrace…

Live like a local. Art lovers, book lovers and walkers will be happy here above an art gallery in the centre of town

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

A smartly refurbished village pub with its own micro-brewery and a huge emphasis on cooking great food from a network of local suppliers

A fascinating place steeped in history and abuzz with prize-winning winery activity. Plus rustic cottages, golf, a restaurant and 2 pools

A lovely spot in an AONB for this bright and airy converted barn, one of four round a gravelled courtyard on a 600-acre estate

For escapists, wannabe writers and lovers of rural bliss: two boho hideaways for two (four at a squeeze) in this lush corner of Galicia

A romantic cottage for two in the Pentland Hills, with views for miles and your own private garden with a wood-fired hot tub

A stylish timber frame eco build, clad with recycled steel and with an upstairs living space to make the most of the glorious sunsets

Two elegantly renovated spaces with wonderful views, lots of activities and large gardens for making memories with family and friends

A light, bright Georgian townhouse in a residential street directly opposite the lovely Lido and restaurant, near Clifton Village

20 minutes’ walk from Gordes and a hop from Aix, find grownup peace and minimalism for lovers of modern style and timeless Provence