Great staff, beautiful design, a fine old building and sublime food make this 600-year-old inn a perfect escape all year round

Cross an ancient stone bridge to a 1790s estate cottage, completely on its own down a little-used green lane and with the river rushing by

Delightful little antique-filled cottage with large walled garden and an allotment near Versailles. Gardeners will be happy

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

Ease yourself into a rather more gracious lifestyle from this sweet retreat on a historic estate with gorgeous walled gardens

Big beautiful apartments in a serene setting in southern Tuscany, with pool. And courses for everyone - organised by one delightful family

Eight miles from York, near Moors and coast, this smart historic home is just the ticket for families and small groups of friends

Between Penzance and Helston and close to sandy beaches is a sweet space for four. Good for young families and all garden lovers

The sort of inn we all love – open fires, original beams, ancient flags, tasty food, with lovely bedrooms thrown in for good measure

There's a lovely welcome at this manoir near the sea with its family-friendly room arrangements (cottages, kitchens) and its outdoor pool

Friendly hosts, good food and clever design in this house looking over Kilmartin Glen. Slow down, watch the sunrise and marvel at the peace

Come for a sense of complete peace surrounded by country and coast with wonderful interiors to boot – a bolthole for two (plus two)

A cosy and pretty old cottage for rest or romance, with garden and pool in a small hamlet surrounded by walnut orchards and mixed woodland

Lovers will be happy here in their own sweet space with a bird-filled garden. All you will hear is the river flowing gently past you

A stylish, refined 17th-century house off a quiet street with its own garden and lots of generous surprises, a short hop to everything

Atmospheric manor with heaps of history, sumptuous bedrooms, a cornucopia of quirky finds, an open-hearted host – it’s a treat to stay here

A romantic and very comfortable retreat in a smartly converted dairy with a pretty garden, close to the South Downs

A small, rural cottage high in the wooded hills with long views, your own private pool, utter peace and quiet and a superb restaurant nearby