A lovely little bolthole to return to after days out exploring pretty Cotswold villages and walking in an AONB straight from the door

An historic, moated manor house dating from the 16th-century, fully restored and with all mod cons, including an indoor heated pool

From the delicious scented garden with its limestone pool to the cool rooms with perfect linen, this is a place for a special occasion

A beautiful little house in a corner of the garden: walk for miles or just to the local pub, barbecue on the deck with its rural views

Surrounded by wildlife and water, this ultra-modern house has huge windows, white walls and designer furnishings. Blissfully remote

Between Paris and Rouen, a handsome country house in Monet scenery. Cows graze, bedrooms soothe, friendships bud over bountiful breakfasts

Pomegranates, persimmon and figs, the waft of rosemary on the air... we love this old 'mas' 25km from Gordes, in sweet sunny Provence

Charming, simple and elegant B&B with a lovely garden and kind owners in an area renowned for its good wine and food

Gorgeously restored villas with breathtaking views. Chill out on the terrace, sample the owner’s homemade wine, and the wood-fired pizza!

Designed with style and comfort, peaceful, sophisticated and serene with countryside views. And you have your own lovely pool

A stylish Sicilian farmhouse that feels like a home with hotel luxuries. Come for a generous welcome, lovely beaches and gorgeous local food

Gloriously green rural self-catering apartments with pool and lovely, friendly owners

Simple, stylish interiors at this restored cottage on a rural estate overlooking the river Tay, with farmland, forest and trails to discover

The wow factor is set to eleven at this magnificent château steeped in French history and surrounded by acres of land (and a moat)

An important spot for this grand 19th-century château on the banks of the Loire, steeped in history and with kind, erudite owners

A cosy cottage on a farm down a long winding track, wonderfully rural with footpaths across fields or along the canal

A very pretty old converted cart shed at the end of a track on an organic farm, surrounded by wildlife, birds and animals in the fields

Come for a sense of complete peace surrounded by country and coast with wonderful interiors to boot – a bolthole for two (plus two)