A light-filled, modern house with wonderful sea views through vast picture windows stretching all the way to St Kilda on clear days

High on a hill in the Tyne Valley, undisturbed except by birds singing and the wind whistling; views swoop down to a magical landscape

Deep French countryside, fine hospitality from true nature lovers, fantastic bedrooms and delicious dinners in an outbuilding

Round up family and friends and head for the glorious South Hams and this eco-friendly barn conversion for ten with extra cottage

Two lovely cottages sleeping eight for very special holidays with a private beach, acres of land to explore and a welcome hamper of dreams

Modest and authentic, a top-floor apartment in an eco-friendly Provençal farmhouse, with dogs and hens. River swims are a stroll away...

Come for amazing food at breakfast, really comfortable bedrooms with garden views and lovely Sasha (and her dogs) who will spoil you

A hop to Montpellier, but deep in the countryside: a romantic pad, with Moroccan rugs, ochre-limed walls and bikes to ride into the country

A super upside-down house perched on a cliff in bustling Saundersfoot with glorious views over the beach and the Atlantic

A 17th-Century Irish castle on the water’s edge. Watch the yachts from your bedroom, join local wine nights, discover the rich history

A sustainably run 1902 farmhouse and its converted cattle shed in countryside close to a wonderfully wild stretch of the North Devon coast

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 glorious château near Tours – authentic, huge fun, steeped in family history and surrounded by gorgeous gardens with a serene pool

Stay in the wilds of south Cork, where new life is being breathed into a much-loved family home and you can simply join in

Lavender shortbread and baked peaches for breakfast at this most artistic of homes. The courtyard with magnolia and orange trees is lovely

Rural peace just an hour from London in your own gorgeous converted hay barn, ten minutes from Alton

Come for much grace, space and inspiration in this huge-windowed, view-filled spot surrounded by gloriously untrammelled countryside

Modern comforts, traditional cosiness and a warm welcome. There are walks from the door, country houses to visit and a pub in the village