Head inland for grand walking or to the glorious coast from this very pretty cottage with a private garden, suitable and safe for dogs

Remote wartime research station turned stylish retreat with knockout views, wild walks and a front-row seat to the weather

An elegant hotel that feels like a well-kept secret, with charming staff, understated rooms and great restaurants a short walk away

Light-filled house full of modern art and antique finds with stunning gardens and a pool. The best of Provence is on your doorstep

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

Fabulous bakes and hot waffles at breakfast, green fields all around and Normandy steeped in history. Great for foodies and historians

Live out all your bohemian dreams at this arty villa, with garden and plunge pool, perched above the glittering Riviera.

Moments from Chamonix, a sweet chalet with pretty gardens in sun or snow under a backdrop of Mont Blanc – perfect for the adventurous

A cosy bolthole near Paris's best museums, monuments and churches. A peaceful sleep and simple buffet breakfast set you up for sightseeing

A 19th-century bothy in remote, rugged countryside on the edge of the Cairngorms, for walkers, birders and seekers of peace

Tranquil manor house deep in Bordeaux wine region with six acres of grounds, a tennis court and swimming pool

Magical for nature lovers, with wraparound views to the coastline of Skye. Inside: warmth, luxury and not a whisper from the wildest gale

An elegant townhouse, built in 1830 and once the sous-préfecture for Rochefort, with spacious, light-filled rooms and a garden with pool

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

Take up residence in central London, surrounded by good places to eat. You have your own vast open-plan living space, light and lovely

Sitting at the end of the estate's private driveway, this sandstone building has grand Italianate columns and comfortable interiors

Small hotel in a hiker's paradise a short walk from Cómpeta with pool, spacious rooms, private terraces, breathtaking views and generous breakfasts

Painting courses on request, gardens full of roses, a parasol’d terrace, a seductive pool… we love this welcoming, traditional hotel