A real gem set back from the hustle and bustle but perfectly placed to explore the city's many charms

Come to recharge in the lovely Loire valley at this fine château surrounded by mature gardens and green countryside

Friendly pub in rural village near Cambridge with strong community feel, great local food, garden, snug room and fresh, pretty bedrooms

This stately-looking former manor house set back from the road in acres of gardens serves very good food and has rustic-chic bedrooms

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

Garden lovers will flock to this lovely B&B with two spacious suites and delicious breakfasts – a good spot by a quiet hamlet

An elegant 1890 home for 8 in vibrant Bembridge for birdwatching, beaches and wildlife, with hot tub and extra beds for overflow guests

Simple country cottage living on a working organic farm. Bring your hiking boots or bikes, stride out from the door

A charming B&B in south Sardinia, near Cagliari: circled by palms and cypresses, overlooking sweet-smelling lemon & orange groves. Bliss

A cosy cottage on a farm down a long winding track, wonderfully rural with footpaths across fields or along the canal

Perfect for families - a glorious farmhouse surrounded by lavender fields. Rooms are huge and children can roam free in the vast gardens

Live out all your bohemian dreams at this arty villa, with garden and plunge pool, perched above the glittering Riviera.

Gem-like in a deep park among meadows, a family-friendly château with 2 stylish cottages. Join the lovely owners for dinner, dip in the pool

A 19th-century bothy in remote, rugged countryside on the edge of the Cairngorms, for walkers, birders and seekers of peace

A lovely old cottage in the grounds of a Provençal mas with a delightful private courtyard, use of a large pool and a magnificent garden

Classic coaching inn in a bustling village offers restful rooms, real ales and the Cotswolds on your doorstep

In a sleepy village near Oxford, a characterful 17th-century inn with contemporary flair, seasonal menus and a terrace for summer music