For retreats, groups of friends, and big families: come to recharge the senses at this special and ancient house enveloped by wild gardens

Rooms are good value, breakfast is taken overlooking the garden and there's superb veggie food next door - a Sawday's Community Champion

Delightful little antique-filled cottage with large walled garden and an allotment near Versailles. Gardeners will be happy

A wall of glass frames the sea view - take drinks on the waterfront lawn in summer, or by the crackling fire in winter

A red-brick cottage and Shepherd’s hut in a magical garden with a cookery school and views over the South Downs

Family-friendly B&B above the medieval hill village of Bargemon, with soothing minimalist interiors, a large garden and a swimming pool

On the outskirts of Marazion, this timber clad house perched above the sea is a super pad for romantic couples

Come for home-baked bread, eggs from the hens, arrays of fresh fruit, and fabulous river views... your hosts do lovely B&B

Stylish bedrooms, scrumptious fish menu. Fill your boots (and pack your wellies) at this village gem in Derbyshire's lovely crown

A modern take on an Iron Age roundhouse with stunning sea views in Scotland’s wild west, perfect for couples

In the heart of a starlight reserve in a protected natural park, three authentic cottages with walks from the door for immersion in nature

Vast house on an ancient Roman site with big terraced garden and pool. Grand yet homely, with air-con, spa and only 8 km to the city

A serene restaurant-hotel on Chesil beach, with a perfect view of the big blue sea. How restorative can a hotel be?

Three gîtes in the Dordogne with panoramic countryside views and a swimming pool – book individually or together for a group holiday

Rural peace just an hour from London in your own gorgeous converted hay barn, ten minutes from Alton

An interesting historic townhouse filled with art and antiques, in the old part of Amantea, near shops, restaurants and beach

A chilled, family-friendly hotel on a sandy surfing beach with huge views and a sensational pool with sustainability at its heart

A thatched farmhouse only just over the channel near Rouen that’s well hidden in lush gardens, but worth finding for the gourmet food alone