A beautiful old building with generous windows, arched doorways and opulent interiors in the glorious countryside by a fairy tale château

A wonderfully simple and modern studio with stunning sea views in an almost Jurassic landscape, dotted with the owner's sculptures

A light, bright and contemporary B&B in a quiet spot, with a garden overlooking the sea, the oyster beds and the passing boats

This is Somerset at its most quintessential: a thatched roofed, honey-coloured Hamstone cottage with a pretty courtyard garden; sleeps four

Delightful, rustic retreat for families, romantic couples and singles. Food, views and owners are lovely

Elegant Italian style in a sensitively-restored villa with sweeping views over rolling hills and forests

Live like a local at these rustic apartments with a shared courtyard; walk to restaurants and shops, take the ferry to the beach

Between Paris and Rouen, a handsome country house in Monet scenery. Cows graze, bedrooms soothe, friendships bud over bountiful breakfasts

Location, location, location - you can't beat it, so look past the dated kitchen and bathrooms and enjoy this light, bright, coastal home

Elegant, calm, charming B&B in a 12th-century house surrounded by fields, quiet country roads and vibrant little villages

A lovely old house and rambling garden in a medieval village with a monumental château, 12th-century church and a good local restaurant

Attractive country barn - great for two families sharing, for river trips, for playing in the pool, for running free

An important spot for this grand 19th-century château on the banks of the Loire, steeped in history and with kind, erudite owners

Charmingly rambling, inside and out: blazing fires, riotous patterns, oak panelling, a prolific garden and comfortable antique beds

A beautifully converted building, part of an old mill, now a gorgeous place to stay with the stream running through and shared parkland

An elegant French château brimming with antiques and surrounded by landscaped lawns. Enjoy convivial dinners with the perfect host

Comfortable, understated, spotless and authentic – a modest family hideaway on Brittany’s stunning Crozon Peninsula (think Land’s End...)