A stately retreat, an oasis of calm and beauty. Picnic on the lawns, enjoy a glass of home-produced prosecco beneath a centuries-old tree

Escape your cares here, move from terrace to terrace tracking the sun's progress and dive into the sea from your own swimming platform

Designed with style and comfort, peaceful, sophisticated and serene with countryside views. And you have your own lovely pool

A quirky, colourful house with views to the Aveyron river, green forests and stunning cliffs across the valley. A short stroll into town

If houses could smile, this 1850 townhouse would be beaming - grand for groups, with four terraces, two living rooms and a plunge pool

A neat, recently restored townhouse inside Panicale's medieval walls with plenty of space and everything within walking distance

Learn about local lore, taste the wines, bliss out in the garden and enjoy the company of Éric and Cathy, warm, humorous and talented hosts

An old farm worker's cottage, niftily done up and nicely remote, with walking and fishing on the doorstep, four miles from Hadrian's Wall

High on a hill in the Tyne Valley, undisturbed except by birds singing and the wind whistling; views swoop down to a magical landscape

Stylish apartment overlooking a vibrant market in the old city, with restaurants and historic attractions in easy walking distance

Provençal charm floats through the ground floor of this 18th-century home in a vineyard near Lorgues. Walk, cycle, swim, enjoy the peace

The Dordogne flows through the gastronomic heart of France, where stunning villages cling to rock faces and historic riches are in store

Sweep along the gravel drive through lawns and specimen trees to this elegant manor house with 17th-century roots

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

Anouk & Gilles have fine-tuned their welcome. Lounge by the pool and dine exquisitely within their landscaped park

A working farm with well renovated ancient buildings among 200 acres of pastures and forest. It's quiet here in the glorious Périgord

A beautiful rural escape for couples or families with the delights of the Cotswolds all around. Dogs very welcome too

Quirky townhouse on the edge of the Peak District, with country walks from the door, plus shops, cinema, heritage centre, bistros and pubs