Come for amazing food at breakfast, really comfortable bedrooms with garden views and lovely Sasha (and her dogs) who will spoil you

A handsome little château perched on the edge of a verdant valley, with wonderful views, lots of space and a rambling garden

A cosy bolt hole near medieval Cartmel with woods, meadows and wildlife – great for walkers in this quiet part of the South Lakes

Come to stay in a lovely old house surrounded by an important garden created by three generations of brilliant women gardeners

Superb, all-organic agriturismo built of straw bales and offering wonderful home-grown natural food, a delightful family, great walking

A warm, comfortable and light-filled 1800s cottage with south-facing garden and absolutely wonderful views over the Kyles of Bute

This architect-designed passive style house sits just behind the sand dunes at Waxham beach, one of Norfolk’s most lovely beaches

Shed your urban cares here with a gorgeous living space, woods and meadows to wander and stunning views of The Black Mountains

Great design along with much comfort and warmth an hour from Inverness airport, but a world away from the city and with stunning views

Few inns can rival the scale or history of this one. Dogs doze by the inglenook, food is sourced from local suppliers, bedrooms are gorgeous

Attractive country barn - great for two families sharing, for river trips, for playing in the pool, for running free

The nicest owners, the most magical place with wild land to roam. Two barns share a pretty courtyard; Devon's delights are on the doorstep

Come to be inspired - by the buildings, the art, the concept and the rich history. You should be very comfortable too, and well fed

Homely furnishings and 17th-century charm at this estate on the Severn, whose owners are mad about horses and give you fine home produce

Grand and old and filled with history, the estate and such a pretty house are a tonic, as are the well-tended grounds and parkland

Chocolate-box cottages in deepest Normandy, owned by bright young things with a passion for organic cuisine and the good life

A niftily restored, open-plan, beamed hayloft, just the ticket for romantics, with gorgeous views of fields and open countryside

Beautifully restored medieval hall house – perfect for big family gatherings, with separate cottage, replica steam train and secluded garden