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

Superb rural views, excellent hiking and generous bedrooms. Cristina and Alec take good care of guests - the food is delicious

Fall asleep to the sound of the sea in your dreamy thatched cottage, one of 6, right on the beach for those head-clearing walks...

Peaceful Georgian house with beautifully proportioned rooms, sumptuous meals, swimming and tennis. Dartmoor is on the doorstep

An elegant house with ancient roots and a shimmering pool – explore the Charente countryside, drive to lovely Angoulême

In the National Park with all its glories (Ashbourne for antiques, Chatsworth for history, Bakewell for its market), a sweet village cottage

Beautifully restored medieval hall house – perfect for big family gatherings, with separate cottage, replica steam train and secluded garden

Serious art, lovely lighting, great sound system and a fat wood-burner belting out the heat at this super place for families or friends

A delightful eco-friendly, off-grid bolthole in the Northumberland National Park with much comfort, massive views and in a Dark Sky area

A beautifully restored cottage in a rustic-chic style, set above the dramatic Gorges de l’Aveyron; perfect for couples or families of four

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

A converted old granary next to a traditional Welsh longhouse in a deeply rural setting for unfussy nature lovers

Idyllic cottage hidden in deepest, foodiest Somerset - bask on your own patio among roses and sweet peas. Bring bikes - loads to explore

A small, quirky country house hotel with lovely staff, pretty rooms and heavenly food served in a pillared dining room

A delightful coastal house with lush courtyard gardens, masses of space, home office and terraces galore

A warm and convivial place steeped in French history with an interesting, kind host who really looks after you. Under an hour from Paris too

Rooms in an old palazzo in the historic centre of town, with a swimming pool, restaurant and café, and lovely beaches a short drive away