All you'd hope for, and more! Enormous rooms, marvellous beams, majestic views and wines from their vineyard

Two duplex apartments filled with art and sculptures inside a beautiful 18th-century orangery, minutes from magnificent Versailles

A pretty retreat in the grounds of a romantic château – you have your own walled garden, with terrace, pool and sunbathing area

A serene retreat basking above the Algarve with sea views from the garden and pool, and charming Moorish details

Artists, poets, nature lovers, walkers and dreamers will be happy in this simple, airy suite surrounded by a fecund garden and much peace

Perthshire country house with contemporary touches. Deer, red squirrels, tawny owls... and the river Tay glints way below through the trees

On top of sand dunes, this bright and airy cottage has glorious views, walks are lovely and you can bring your dog

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

A privilege to be able to stay within the famous gardens of magnificent Château de Courances. The painter's village of Barbizon is nearby

Comfortable bolthole for 2–6 in the heart of the city. Shops and restaurants on the doorstep, a short drive from the coast and South Downs

Music evenings, pop-up theatre nights and great food at the Sash brasserie. You’re just a stroll from shops and bars

An 18th-century converted barn with lofty beamed ceilings, exposed stonework, handmade oak windows and much art – pretty garden too

If you need a great place in which to relax and don’t want to pay too much for it, try these excellent suites, which spoil you all the way

A cluster of traditional farm buildings making up three holiday cottages in very attractive grounds with fruit trees, meadows and woodland

A lovely old cottage in the cliffside village of St Lawrence. Watch boats sail by from the terrace, soak in an antique bath with sea views…

A 1930s riverside cabin circled by lush gardens; cosy inside with underfloor heating, glowing wood-burner and gorgeous decor

An old chapel, smartly and sustainably converted, with a hot tub to soothe tired limbs after country walks through fells and dales

The perfect country cottage made of pretty Quercy stone, with generously sized rooms and outside dining with gorgeous rural views