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

A big friendly farmhouse basking in light, with terraces, vineyards, pool and views to several horizons, good for family gatherings

Good bolthole with two terraces offering spectacular views over the historic town, and restaurants and bars a short stroll

An immaculately restored 1500s palazzo, filled with history, art, antiques and books in the buzzing heart of a charming town

Manor house in the grounds of a quintessential 18th-century French château with pretty gardens and lots of space just 3kms from Bayeux

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

A restful space with a pretty garden in a quiet Derbyshire village - the pub a short stroll away and Chatsworth near

Beautiful views over Bantry Bay from this thoughtfully restored house with stylish rooms, gardens and woodland – a wonderful escape

Come for plenty of space and wonderful views to the Pyrenees on clear days from this converted outbuilding in the grounds of a château

An extraordinary, inspiring place: eat 100% vegan food, drink organic wine, sleep in natural materials, swim in the salt-water pool

A pretty upside-down cottage, formerly a dovecote, lovingly restored with sustainability the focus

A romantic creekside cottage down a web of narrow lanes in a tumbling green valley – mess about on the water to your heart’s content

A warm, inviting boutique hotel in Shrewsbury’s historic centre; potter about the medieval streets, relax in a sun-catching courtyard

Come to restore your soul, be immersed in nature, wander paths in the lovely grounds and make memories with family or friends

A charming renovated stone gîte only 15km from Bergerac with a large outdoor pool, pretty gardens and walks and cycle rides from the door

One of the loveliest houses in a very lovely village. Pretty rooms have parquet floors and white walls, the food is a delight

Take your pick from guided horse-trekking to grand banqueting at this traditional château; drive to explore WWI history and the lovely coast

Fall in love with this riverside village, lost in a valley in lower Normandy, and this sunny house for couples or families