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

Enjoy a bucolic setting (hike, ride, cycle) near medieval Vannes, a short hop from the sea – and lively conversation with friendly hosts

Converted barn with the most welcoming owners – the garden and pool are all yours; explore a less touristy part of the Dordogne

A traditional Welsh cottage in a very pretty, rural setting with the river meandering past, the stunning coastal path and beautiful beaches

An important spot for this grand 19th-century château on the banks of the Loire, steeped in history and with kind, erudite owners

Leave crowds behind for this charming stone farmhouse in the olive groves of rural Umbria – bring friends and have it all to yourselves

Near Vosges mountains, a happy homely hotel surrounded by woods and flower-filled meadows with friendly hosts. Deliciously peaceful

A 1980s Catalan mas built in a traditional style, with garden and pool, surrounded by olive trees and vineyards near the Spanish border

You’re wrapped in parkland here and close to the coast, gardens and war memorials. A treat of a stop-over for foodies

A destination B&B. Hunker down in thoroughly spoiling surroundings with delightful owners near St Jean de Luz, Biarritz and Bayonne

An attractive collection of mellow stone buildings with wonderful views over Monte Amiata and the Val d'Orcia for restful stays

Come to slow down and be well fed at this beautiful 14th-century manor with 60 acres of grounds and views across the Cotswolds

An adorable whitewashed crofter's cottage on the Wern Estate with pretty gardens, a bird-filled woodland and glorious walks from the door

A celebration of all things Somerset in a thatched village opposite the church and close to National Trust Barrington Court and Gardens

Manor house in the grounds of a quintessential 18th-century French château with pretty gardens and lots of space just 3kms from Bayeux

Immerse yourself, luxuriously, in beautiful rural Picardy – mirabelle jam, peaceful parkland, walking in the hills – near historic Amiens

A sustainably-designed small, family-run eco hotel within a nature park by the sea in stunning Basque country. Great food too

An old farmhouse in a hilltop town deep in wine country, with a charming owner intent on ensuring you make the most of your stay