A lovely old traditional mas, built around a courtyard with lots of outdoor space and rambling gardens for happy gatherings, and sunny days

Just below the Tuscan town of Massa Marittima, an agriturismo loved by sporty types and families, with wonderful food on site

Two lovely cottages, packed with atmosphere, character and comfort in a magical timeless valley surrounded by nature

Come here in the summer (it’s closed Nov-April except by arrangement) for candlelit dining, chintzy bedrooms, long views over the park...

An immaculately restored 1500s palazzo, filled with history, art, antiques and books in the buzzing heart of a charming town

Warm interiors, pretty bedrooms and excellent breakfasts – good value in a very handy central spot

An 18th-century limestone barn, now a quiet hideaway for a group of friends or family in a very rural spot surrounded by fields and woods

A romantic and very comfortable retreat in a smartly converted dairy with a pretty garden, close to the South Downs

An elegant, super central bolthole for two (or three): stroll everywhere, hop on a vaporetto, sit in piazzas drinking cappuccino, live like a local

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

Immaculate apartments with private patios and well-equipped kitchens share oleander-bright gardens and a chlorine-free pool

A dog-friendly hotel with traditional bedrooms, excellent breakfasts & a cool bar set on a peaceful side street, minutes from the centre

Restored stone barn on a farm in the Lake District National Park, with views of fields and woods and an excellent pub nearby

A trulli hamlet immersed in nature, on the wilder side of Puglia with visits to white-washed hilltop towns and cooking with Nonna Maria

A wonderful watery setting for a super family hotel. White sands and sunsets, waddling ducks, breakfasts to relish …

A lovely old 19th-century inn by the sea with hand-pumped ales, fresh local and seasonal food and spoiling bedrooms, some with sea views

A heated pool, charming B&B rooms and acres of beautiful grounds beside the Adour River - Bayonne and Biarritz are close

Superb views, scenic walks and a huge range of activities all within easy reach of this beautifully restored property