After a bountiful breakfast of Loch Fyne kippers and homemade scones, head for Oban, gateway to the isles. Return to a dram by the fire

A Cotswolds hideaway in a cottage on a farm, with space to roam for children, and glorious valley views

A heavenly setting for this very well-hidden cottage with its own small pool, amazing views and delightful pebble beach below

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

Serene retreat in the French countryside with elegant interiors and impeccable hosting from the lovely Anne-Laure

A scented garden, delicious local delicacies and those coastal landscapes. This place is a sensory feast

Your own apartment in a listed manor house with lovely light rooms and stunning grounds with views over farmland to the coast and Lundy

A really well thought-out escape for a small family with children. A big garden, pool, petanque court and play barn for indoor fun

A birdwatchers’ paradise in heavenly valley setting with friendly hosts and delicious seasonal cooking. Explore national park from the door

This lovely, beamy, uncluttered Tuscan farmhouse with separate apartment is an elegant lodging on a vast fruitful estate with pool, and lovely owners

An iconic Cotswold pub, restored to perfection, with a cracking bar, elevated pub food and some super-smart bedrooms in pub and extension

This stately-looking former manor house set back from the road in acres of gardens serves very good food and has rustic-chic bedrooms

Once a shooting lodge, this stand-alone big building was part of a medieval estate and you can still see the grassy mount and dungeon tower

Historic wartime fields, now prime walking country, ring this pub with rooms - come for hearty food, cosy corners and a proper pint

A small, family-run boutique hotel sitting right at the foot of Etna with wonderful views, garden, pool and ambrosial Sicilian breakfasts

A modern, beautifully refurbished inn set in smart gardens, overlooking the village pond and surrounded by Hampshire hills for grand walks

A beautifully restored cottage and extra wing for 3 - 4 on Bodmin Moor for families, outdoor types and lovers of real countryside – dogs can come too

An 18th-century listed cottage in a pretty terrace with a private courtyard garden and pond, just a short walk from the high street