Your hosts couldn’t be nicer and look after you beautifully – this is a lovely, homely place with a rambling garden

An historic, moated manor house dating from the 16th-century, fully restored and with all mod cons, including an indoor heated pool

This famous old country house might not come cheap, but where else can you splash out in such decadent style for life’s big celebrations?

Cosied up by the fire in your farmhouse high on the moor you’ll feel miles from civilisation, while Chatsworth is just minutes away

Spread out in much style with friends or family in a beautifully renovated Victorian farmhouse at the foot of the Howgill fells

A sprint from London: a Cotswolds pub modernised with sympathy and care. Happy staff, organic ales and food, gorgeous rooms

A very special design-led garden apartment on the ground floor of an elegant 1835 house on one of the prettiest crescents in the city

Understatedly stylish with French antiques, sofas and balconies overlooking town and gardens. A grown-ups' retreat, 200m from the ocean

A beautifully designed B&B for foodies, cyclists and walkers in a village surrounded by trees just 15 minutes from the coast

An irresistible eco restaurant-hotel of character and charm, run by two friendly families and set in gorgeous grounds. Foodie heaven

Up in the Cévennes, this big, beautiful family house has superb views, a fine kitchen, lots of space and masses to do and see

A magnificent Victorian clock tower on a peaceful, bird-filled estate with a garden, gorgeous views across the park and activities to join

Welcome to an immaculate and historic retreat with private gardens, ten minutes from the Finistère coast (and oysters!)

Families and walkers will be happy at this unfussy seaside retreat with beaches down the road and coastal paths right by your door

Up in the hills, with Hay Bluff towering beside, this old stone house is sheltered in the valley with the brook rushing past to a waterfall

A comfortable and light-filled converted stone barn in the pretty Vendée, a quiet and rural spot but just half a mile from town

Special back-to-nature, stargazing loft for couples and families, on a nature-filled estate in Piedmont