Inland Algarve, away from the crowds – this gorgeous house with pool and gardens is a haven for families and friends

There's a lovely welcome at this manoir near the sea with its family-friendly room arrangements (cottages, kitchens) and its outdoor pool

Simple country cottage living on a working organic farm. Bring your hiking boots or bikes, stride out from the door

A romantic creekside cottage down a web of narrow lanes in a tumbling green valley – mess about on the water to your heart’s content

Chichester, blessed with a stunning natural setting, is great for a city break - and this Georgian coach house the perfect bolthole for 2

A converted stable on a peaceful farm surrounded by acres of countryside - a Sawday's Community Champion

A bit like staying with friends in a smart country house, but not having to help - an elegant refuge near Bradford-on-Avon

Hilltop château on the edge of a small village half an hour from Saint-Émilion, with a lovely garden, a swimming pool and two lakes

The farm is up its own track with wake-up Cheviot views over pine forests and fields of sheep. Luxurious bedrooms, large airy living space

A pretty cottage in the grounds of an 18th-century house in the heart of southern Burgundy, with stunning gardens and a shared pool

A relaxed country feel in this fine family villa. It has space and comfort for six with gardens, private pool, and tennis court

A warm family and starlit suppers in a grand estate by Soller, near wildflower walks and beaches. Citrus mingles with exotic fragrances

Come for good architecture, thoughtful design and much space for relaxing: swimming, massages, hammam and sauna, beautiful bedrooms

A stone building designed by Sir John Soane in the stable yard of this historic and beautiful estate with deer park and woodland gardens

Come down to the Meon Valley and be (very gently) nudged towards a better way of living - a Sawday's Community Champion

Come for a restorative and restful stay on a wine estate with a beautiful landscaped garden and engaging owners who make you delicious meals

A compact eco-serene bolthole in bustling Modica's historic heart with glorious views over the baroque rooftops. Beaches are 20 minutes away

Come for an oasis of peace - no crowds in the National Park, just olive groves, mountain views and tranquil nature