Adorable cottages in pastoral peace with views to Wimborne Minster; cook and eat in modern kitchens. Blue flag beaches are close

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

A charming renovated stone gîte only 15km from Bergerac with a large outdoor pool, pretty gardens and walks and cycle rides from the door

Glorious views across Northumberland countryside from this peaceful and comfortable cottage with almost an acre of garden

Perfect château B&B with pointy turrets and pale blue shutters, surrounded by gorgeous countryside, a cycle route and ancient villages

Small country hotel in a riverside setting near Giverny, with a superb restaurant and a charming village a few minutes’ walk away

A charming villa in a quiet neighbourhood with pool, fab sea views & an easy stroll to eateries. Water sports & golf are easy from here

A very peaceful, family-run hotel on the shores of Lake Garda with rose and jasmine-scented gardens for summer dinners by candlelight

Eco-friendly B&B overlooking Lake Como with marvellous mountain and lake views. Heaps of space, generous hosts, a menagerie of animals

A charming nook for two in pretty Barrington village with a foodie pub mere steps away and Somerset at your feet

Big house with bags of character and easy access to beaches, cafés and cobbled streets, coastal paths and hidden coves

Gather family or friends and take both villa and cottage. The terraces and gardens have long views, the pool is roomy and the peace palpable

Elegant Italian style in a sensitively-restored villa with sweeping views over rolling hills and forests

Treat yourselves to a stay in the gloriously comfortable Astor Wing with private terrace and views to Hever Castle and the Tudor Garden

A family-run 1700s thatched Inn in a rural hamlet with super food, a grand team to look after you and picnic benches in a pretty garden

A peaceful grown-up place circled by meadows and woodland with helpful owners next door – a superb spot to explore the south-west

An 18th-century coaching inn wrapped in countryside now a relaxed pub with rooms serving excellent food and drink with 16 inviting bedrooms

A private house set in Cornwall's largest rewilding estate, ancient and quiet, made for slow family gatherings and long, easy days