A newly-renovated barn in a picturesque Cotswold village with an enclosed front garden and the river Eye at the bottom of the drive

A friendly, generous, big old house with not an ounce of pretension. Big families will adore gathering here to have fun and unwind

Swim with frogs in the freshwater pool, breakfast in the sunshine, play boules by moonlight. Châteaux don't get much more rural

Wow. The sort of place you long for on dreary days - inspired architecture, heavenly views, delicious home-cooked food, a lake for swimming

On the side of a hill in the little-known Marche, a happy young farmhouse with an elegant saltwater pool, and wonderful meals from Kelda

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

A beautifully converted building, part of an old mill, now a gorgeous place to stay with the stream running through and shared parkland

Charming 4-star gîte in an 11th-century castle in the foothills of the Pyrénées. Spectacular views, leafy terrace and wild swimming nearby

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

Glorious views of Derwentwater and Skiddaw from this comfortable house. Art dotted about, a big table for chatty meals and a pretty garden

Live like a local at these rustic apartments with a shared courtyard; walk to restaurants and shops, take the ferry to the beach

Something to astound at every turn where the traditional and downright quirky collide to stunning effect. Friendly, flexible hosts too

An historic, moated manor house dating from the 16th-century, fully restored and with all mod cons, including an indoor heated pool

Enjoy so much space in this 18th-century paper mill with uncluttered interiors and surrounded by forests, rivers and lush countryside - yet only a stone's throw away from the local bastide towns

A gracious 17th-century manor house and a pretty Grange hidden down a tree-lined drive and with stunning views over woodlands

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

Cottages, rooms and apartments on an historic 18th-century family estate with gorgeous gardens, a shared pool and a view-filled terrace

Enfolded in gentle Dorset hills and surrounded by trees, a perfect wooden hut for 2 near beaches, River Cottage HQ and many beautiful walks