Birders will love escaping up here, golfers too - visit Hatfield House, Knebworth, Cambridge - come back to a good local pub and a comfy bed

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

Drink a toast to your good fortune as you gaze across to Elba from a vast free-standing bath. You breakfast on the view-filled terrace

Elegance and ease mark this gentle group of Loire-Valley buildings, with soft-textured interiors and the owners’ fine hospitality and food

A spoiling hotel for a properly grown up escape on the Chatsworth Estate. Bring your loved one and do as much or as little as you fancy

Step through a door in an old wooden gate to discover a courtyard garden on the edge of town close to golden sands

Cosy apartment for two in a cluster of farm buildings near Hawkshead, surrounded by countryside and with a good pub a stroll away

A large, light-filled house sitting very much on its own in the middle of the peaceful Eden Valley with masses of space inside and out

A large cottage by the walled garden on a peaceful estate with oodles of space for big gatherings and views over a lake and mature trees

An elegant house with ancient roots and a shimmering pool – explore the Charente countryside, drive to lovely Angoulême

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

An organic farm near coast, village and Etna – super for families, done in simple good taste. Laze in the hammock, visit the coast...

11 rooms yet huge personality: travel mementoes, bright colours, local breakfasts... in a fun market town under the Cotswold escarpment

A rural haven in a lovely garden with comfortable bedrooms, brilliant breakfasts and bikes for hire – explore the Parque Natural

Tucked down a private driveway, this restored 19th-century farm building offers superb breakfasts, well-dressed beds and a beautiful garden

A charming base in historic Beaulieu - expect delicious food, traditional country-house interiors, and walks that start from the front door

Up in the hills, an amazing family holiday with Lorna and Lee. Weekly paella nights, great pool, lovely walking. Beauty therapies, too...

In a quaint village with a bakery, brasserie and shops, a handsome gîte with a wonderful pool and fashion museum