Foodies and sociable souls will enjoy this lively B&B in a pretty honey-coloured stone cottage with a garden and a very friendly owner

A gorgeously tranquil place to escape to and fall in love with the Périgord's medieval villages, valleys, wines, markets and artisan farms

An artist's house imbued with an understated elegance. Stay for dinner; be charmed by the garden where fruit trees throng, hens loiter

A honey-hued stone farmhouse or a stylish cottage – both are deep in delicious countryside with lovely walks by the rambling river

An exquisite Provençal home for a large party, hidden behind grand gates in a small village surrounded by the pine-scented Alpilles

A small top terrace can be booked for romantic evenings and you can lunch or dinner at the delightful floating restaurant

A pair of historic houses with far-reaching views of the Cotswold Hills and walks from the gate

A very generous amount of space in this beautifully restored annexe with heated pool and outstanding views over the East Devon AONB

The views are breathtaking over forest and field from this lovely barn conversion on a working farm, for special gatherings

Landscaped gardens, orchard and potager blend into Normandy countryside. Return from rural walks to a log fire and comfortable armchairs

Historic pub with immaculate new bedrooms and a happy atmosphere. A waterside terrace for summer, blazing open fires for winter

Step into a place full of life, colour, texture and clever design surrounded by beautiful gardens and lakes

Sitting at the end of the estate's private driveway, this sandstone building has grand Italianate columns and comfortable interiors

A hilltop setting for this ancient fortress with an illustrious past. You stay in apartments or farmhouses inside or outside the walls

An exquisitely restored 500-year-old inn, where the accent is very much on food, reared and grown nearby and with very comfortable rooms

A cosy, very comfortable stone cottage with fine views across the valley, just a couple of miles from the southern tip of Ullswater

Two lovely places to stay down by the shore of Clew Bay for much peace, space and modern comforts in a magical watery world

A beautifully restored building in a vast, open space dotted with olive trees and fragrant citrus - unwind in the calming atmosphere