A very pretty old coach house in a south London garden – perfect for a couple or a family. Friendly owners live across the courtyard

A special little house, renovated with huge style, filled with beautiful objects and with a delightfully quiet and secluded private garden

Irresistible for art, design and heritage-lovers, bird-watchers and those who love to explore Norfolk's wide open spaces

A lofty, spacious feel to this converted barn with stunning views over rolling hills, swooping swallows in summer and an honesty farm shop

A grand yet very homely place with tasty home cooking and 200 acres to explore. Play golf, sail, cycle – wonderfully informal

A fine designer house and pool above the coastal hurly-burly and one of the loveliest coves in Spain, backing onto a nature park. Happy hols

Gloriously green rural self-catering apartments with pool and lovely, friendly owners

Families and walkers will be happy at this unfussy seaside retreat with beaches down the road and coastal paths right by your door

Provençal charm floats through the ground floor of this 18th-century home in a vineyard near Lorgues. Walk, cycle, swim, enjoy the peace

A period manor and pretty rooms in old stables: a quiet base for Pas-de-Calais and Picardie. Madame loves the house, animals, story-telling

A wonderful watery setting for a super family hotel. White sands and sunsets, waddling ducks, breakfasts to relish …

Bags of character within and without at this four-storey village house with rooftop views over the mountains, next to a 12th-century church

A thoughtfully renovated cottage in a small hamlet with garden, courtyard and pool. The peace is palpable but you're near to bustling Tusson

This small hotel with pool has elegant communal spaces, spoiling bedrooms, kind staff, delicious food and panoramic mountain views

Unwind and feel part of the family in beautiful rural Yorkshire. The farmhouse is rambling and peaceful, rooms are comfy, breakfast generous

Three simple, traditional apartments in an ancient convent building with a beautiful botanical garden in the heart of the historic centre

A humdinger of a pub, hidden in a sleepy village in the Surrey Hills, oozing character and charm and with delicious food and comfy bedrooms

Come for peace, space and much comfort in this nifty house with gorgeous views over acres of vines from the terrace and pool