A lovely old farmhouse, slate hung and elegant, in the heart of this gorgeous group of buildings hiding in lush countryside

Charming 15th-century farmhouse near Montrésor and Loches with immense lawns, orchards and a fabulous pool

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

Swap the mêlée for privacy and wonderful views. Delicious meals, an outdoor hot tub and Portes du Soleil skiing on your doorstep

You’ll feel super snug in these 2 stunning eco builds blending into the wildly beautiful Isle of Harris coastal landscape

In peaceful Burgundy countryside, a beautifully-restored farmhouse with B&B rooms, delicious regional food and an inviting pool

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

A lovely farmhouse in Lot with acres of garden and a summer kitchen. Come ‘en famille’ for food, wine and lazy days by the pool.

A stately retreat, an oasis of calm and beauty. Picnic on the lawns, enjoy a glass of home-produced prosecco beneath a centuries-old tree

Come for wide open countryside criss-crossed by a myriad of footpaths and this very comfortable, stylish and roomy retreat

A converted 19th-century church in the Northumberland National Park with beautiful stained-glass windows and a restored tower

Independence at one end of the house with your own sitting room opening onto a courtyard garden. Good pub for food a few minutes' walk away

A very special renovation of a 12th-century convent, now an elegant, tranquil place to stay with beautiful, bird-filled gardens

The Dordogne flows through the gastronomic heart of France, where stunning villages cling to rock faces and historic riches are in store

In a leafy, peaceful part of Frome - a very civilised bolthole for two. A big garden is yours to share, friendly owners live next door

Come for summer breakfasts of pastries fresh from the local bakery, afternoons reading by the pool and long, lazy lunches