Come for an authentic French village experience in this old stone house next to the church with glorious countryside for walks and cycles

Comfortable, traditional, accessible and in the grounds of an old rectory with meadows and the river Frome nearby for summer dips

Wonky floors and handmade beds in a restored coaching inn for 4, 6 or 8 - sociable evenings round the farmhouse table, walks from the door

Gardeners will be very happy staying in this generous, comfortable B&B surrounded by stunning gardens with year-round interest

A converted Victorian schoolhouse with a glorious oak bar, an impressive selection of gins, hearty food and attractive bedrooms

A 15th-century Venetian palazzo, lovingly restored with stylish rooms overlooking the Grand Canal and a designer's insight into the city

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

For retreats, groups of friends, and big families: come to recharge the senses at this special and ancient house enveloped by wild gardens

Countryside and seaside all in one go – what could be more inspiring? Lovely Louisa lives down the road, on hand if you need her

Orchards and ducks, open fires, deep comfort in glorious Wiltshire countryside. Courtyard bedrooms and lovely big kitchen too

Welcoming, dog-friendly pub with food to rave about, cracking countryside views and very comfortable bedrooms

A traditional cottage in Polruan on the Fowey estuary with harbour and cove views and a tea shop and two pubs in the village

An impressive limestone house on three levels created within the ruins of an ancient village with uninterrupted views of the Vézère valley

Walkers, bikers, families and nature fans will love staying with ever-helpful Joan and Montse in this secluded but not too remote valley

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

Peaceful Highland hideaway on a wooded lochside: spy dolphins and otters, stargaze, and soak up the deep silence

There's a pared-back unforced elegance to this stone barn sitting quietly in its own grounds beside a cobbled courtyard awash with roses

Elegantly restored mariner’s cottage with tasteful interiors and sweeping, uninterrupted views over the ever-changing estuary