Hospitable Jorge and Clotilde love nothing more than sharing their colourful, chaotic old house with guests. The farm produce is fabulous

Chocolate-box cottages in deepest Normandy, owned by bright young things with a passion for organic cuisine and the good life

Surrounded by delightful gardens, these gîtes are serene retreats from which you can discover the Dordogne, or gently unwind

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

A romantic little bolthole with a hot tub on the Penicuik Estate with well-thought-out interiors and dreamy views over pastures and woodland

A lovely, spacious 1830s house in the heart of arty Westport with nearly an acre of garden, an apple orchard and the river running past

Lawns, paths and walnut trees, rolling views in every direction... a serene place to stay in every season. Sweet luxury for a big family!

Three comfortable stone houses clustered around the owners' home. Glorious views spread out below you across rolling countryside

A traditional country house experience with plenty of space for big family get-togethers, on a very old estate with fascinating gardens

Grand and old and filled with history, the estate and such a pretty house are a tonic, as are the well-tended grounds and parkland

A light larch-clad space for lovers, or a retreat for walkers and writers in pretty Orford, once a medieval sea port but now on the river

Restored stone barn on a farm in the Lake District National Park, with views of fields and woods and an excellent pub nearby

Family-friendly B&B above the medieval hill village of Bargemon, with soothing minimalist interiors, a large garden and a swimming pool

The Dordogne flows through the gastronomic heart of France, where stunning villages cling to rock faces and historic riches are in store

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

Cosied up by the fire in your farmhouse high on the moor you’ll feel miles from civilisation, while Chatsworth is just minutes away

An ancient coaching inn opposite the church in the prettiest village – just the ticket for weary travellers who deserve nurturing

A stroll from the village, this comfy house in its terraced garden comes with a keen-cook's kitchen, a generous terrace and pool