An L-shaped former farmhouse is now a gorgeous place to stay, just half an hour from the sea or the mountains and near interesting villages

Your host runs home and B&B with effortless efficiency and you'll find shiny, spotless rooms to retreat to after a day's exploring

Small country hotel in a riverside setting near Giverny, with a superb restaurant and a charming village a few minutes’ walk away

Ideal for families: pool, tennis and golf at the hotel with beach and yachting nearby. Comfortable bedrooms and a terrace for outdoor dining

Down a track with a delightfully remote feel but near to the coast and with good walking and cycling; views out to sea are awesome

Walkers, bikers, families and nature fans will love staying with ever-helpful Joan and Montse in this secluded but not too remote valley

An 18th-century watermill with millrace and pond, now a smart B&B with a swimming pool and pretty gardens, run by charming English hosts

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

A stylish, refined 17th-century house off a quiet street with its own garden and lots of generous surprises, a short hop to everything

Comfort, warmth and thoughtful breakfasts at this informal, friendly B&B, sitting in a lush spot between the mountains and the sea

Such lovely views from this light-filled flat, built in the 19th century – curl up with a book and gaze out to sea

An eco B&B (minus hair shirt) in the stunning Meon Valley surrounded by woodland and wildlife - a Sawday's Community Champion

Four bright and warm cottages with gardens, for families and friends, plus activities for children and endless walks for you and your dog

A spiritual, rustic retreat for nature-lovers, writers, artists. In protected woodland, well away from bustle, close to the lapping river

Feel at ease in a lovely old townhouse filled with pictures and personality and including a separate loft apartment

A little gem tucked on a rural Northumbrian estate with other cottages. The rugged coast and lovely Alnwick make for super day trips

Cosy, peaceful retreat not far from Hadrian's Wall. A real fire, tennis, BBQ, the Coast to Coast cycle route and hilly treks from the door

Everything you need is here: a wood-burner for winter, a pool and spacious terraces for summer, and peace and beauty all year round