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

The central part of a much larger building in a 17th-century hamlet with bright, spacious rooms, shared pool and glorious private gardens

Beautiful Noto is 4 miles from the Ionian Sea, and this creative renovation, with lush garden, stands above the throng. Heaven in Sicily

Hilltop château on the edge of a small village half an hour from Saint-Émilion, with a lovely garden, a swimming pool and two lakes

Come for stunning views down to the bay of La Herradura and this traditional, family-focused 1990s house on three floors

One of England's oldest coaching inns, full of history and wonky floors, on a Surrey market town's high street

Families can unwind at this lovely old higgledy-piggledy farmhouse in typical southern Algarve style, with a big pool and lush greenery

Superb, all-organic agriturismo built of straw bales and offering wonderful home-grown natural food, a delightful family, great walking

In a sleepy village near Oxford, a characterful 17th-century inn with contemporary flair, seasonal menus and a terrace for summer music

A sweet little gîte for two in the centre of a dreamy medieval village. Happily private but with loads to explore from your door

Wingham is a pretty village near Canterbury known for its thatched cottages, medieval houses, and a much-loved pub called The Dog

Everything you need is here: a wood-burner for winter, a pool and spacious terraces for summer, and peace and beauty all year round

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

Bask in the beautiful Basque country at this friendly B&B in the village, with family-run restaurant for delicious suppers

Welcome to a dreamy fortified castle, once owned by French royalty, the perfect place to stay for history lovers and comfort seekers

A tucked-away and peaceful retreat from which to explore the beautiful Dordogne or simply to unwind and recharge

A clutch of airy properties, most with their own jasmine-scented terraces arranged around a funky pool

A rustic-chic bolthole with bird's eye views to gaze at from your bedroom and the beautiful garden, tucked in a quaint hamlet in Maremma