Plenty of uncluttered easy space both in and out by the private pool - children love the freedom - great wine, food, and cycling country

A 18th-century house with pool in a small town with friendly owners and a tropical garden of banana, fig and, of course, frangipani

Historic old house in a beautiful, traditional village. Boulangerie, bar, crêperie all a stroll away

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

Come down to the Meon Valley and be (very gently) nudged towards a better way of living - a Sawday's Community Champion

For walkers and lovers of wildly beautiful coastal country: two cosy old cottages and a bright, modern renovation in a cluster with others

Come for an exceptionally inviting 17th-century inn, a chocolate-box Cotswold village, excellent local food and ales, very comfortable rooms

A delightful retreat perfectly placed for walking, cycling and visiting some of the region’s most popular sights

Tucked away privately in part of a spectacular listed manor house, this apartment has wonderful views across to Hartland and the sea

An eco renovation of an 1800s gamekeepers cottage, now a charming place for couples or families to immerse themselves in nature

Soak up Provençal peace in a charming estate in the Alpilles, with stylish ground-floor B&B rooms, olives, vines and a friendly family dog

Enjoy fields of lavender and vines as far as the eye can see from this neat cottage, sharing a pool and gorgeous gardens with other guests

Ascot is a trot down the road and there's a really cosy, cottagey feel to this quaint 18th-century inn with great food and comfy bedrooms

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

A family retreat high above the river Dordogne and deep in woodland - with heated pool, games room and village restaurants a stroll away

Come for a bright, roomy, uber-green and accessible larch-clad space with garden and pond in pretty countryside

A smart village local with original timber frames, a lively bar, elegant rooms and delicious food from the fields around you

A charming, warm and intimate hotel tucked away on a side street just minutes from the Ponte Vecchio, with a view-filled rooftop restaurant