History, tranquillity and genuine warmth in a beautifully restored medieval château, deep in the heart of the countryside

Just the ticket if you want to escape from the hurly-burly and wind down with fresh air, good food, walks in nature and sublime views

Hike the Wild Boar Fells, get cosy at home with books, games and DVDs, and meet the farm’s hens, cows and sheep

Lively renovation for this 18th-century cottage built of local stone and with a large garden in Modbury. Totnes and sandy beaches are close

Dinner fresh from the garden with your creative hosts is an absolute delight. Roam unspoilt countryside, visit châteaux and vineyards galore

A special little house, renovated with huge style, filled with beautiful objects and with a delightfully quiet and secluded private garden

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

A converted old granary next to a traditional Welsh longhouse in a deeply rural setting for unfussy nature lovers

A smartly renovated village pub with rooms welcoming locals, visitors, families and dogs on a Staffordshire country estate

A honey-hued family home clad with vines and roses with a swimming pool and heaps of space – perfect for families

Sun-dappled walks along the romantic avenues, big bedrooms, breakfasts inside or out, a laid-back atmosphere and great markets nearby

Two peaceful olive grove farmhouses, a shared pool with incredible views, hours of hiking along beautiful trails, Pisa and Lucca nearby

Come for much grace, space and inspiration in this huge-windowed, view-filled spot surrounded by gloriously untrammelled countryside

The South West Coast Path passes by this waterfront pub on the Teign estuary. Come for fresh bedrooms, classic dishes and excellent walking

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

An island of oyster farms, salt pans and white beaches, woolly donkeys, countless push-bikes and the odd celeb – we love the Ile de Ré!

In the shadow of a Norman château on the Cherbourg Peninsula, a cosy house for three with private parking and restaurants outside the door