A scrupulously renovated dog-friendly gate lodge with garden and outdoor dining area, a five-minute drive from Mount Congreve Gardens

Big house with bags of character and easy access to beaches, cafés and cobbled streets, coastal paths and hidden coves

Cosy country cottage for four on an organic farm in the Welsh borders. Wake to the sounds of birds and sheep, walk off supper on rural romps

Surrounded by its vineyards, a Tuscan villa for a memorable, stylish treat of a stay - a sophisticated décor and opulence at every turn

Feel very private in this light and bright B&B room with your own patio and pleasing views over garden and countryside

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

Wrapped in fields and woods, this big traditional house has crisply furnished interiors and plenty of gadgets. Terraced gardens and pool too

There’s a Tuscan feel to this lovely, family-friendly place – walk to the sound of cicadas, stargaze, visit vineyards, markets and castles

A very tastefully restored old stone stable on a gloriously rural estate with woodland gardens, lake and a deer park

Atmospheric English pub with rooms by the green with its duck ponds in a pretty village, with walking and cycling routes to join

Bring boots, maps, your dog and an appetite for high places and deep comfort in this restored farm conversion

A small yet elegant place for couples or small groups to enjoy the open countryside, rest, join a cooking course or book a massage

Two lovely old cottages, part of the 1700 stable block on the St Giles estate, with 5,000 acres to roam, for walkers and peace seekers

Tranquil stone house with a rustic feel, a large garden with a swimming pool and views of the French Riviera and out to sea

An ancient coaching inn opposite the church in the prettiest village – just the ticket for weary travellers who deserve nurturing

Four pretty cottages with private terraces, a shared garden and muted interiors inspired by Norfolk’s landscapes. A short drive to the coast

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