Warm interiors, pretty bedrooms and excellent breakfasts – good value in a very handy central spot

A warm and convivial place steeped in French history with an interesting, kind host who really looks after you. Under an hour from Paris too

Come to the wild Cévennes to hike, ride, kayak down the Hérault river – or just revel in your pretty, generous house, pool and garden space

A confident style for this mid-19th-century house, with a Mediterranean garden, elegant terrace and pool, a stroll from the historic centre

There’s a Tuscan feel to this lovely, family-friendly place – walk to the sound of cicadas, stargaze, visit vineyards, markets and castles

Cosy and comfortable eco cottages near to sleepy Sidmouth, where grown-ups can relax and children can play safely in the gardens

A handsome house with breath-taking mountain views: perfect for summer holidays and walking in spring and autumn

Tranquillity and comfort in a guesthouse in the Marche countryside - airy rooms for couples with huge windows onto good views

After trekking Offa's Dyke, return to a cosy wood-burner stocked with logs and a sumptuous bed - you'll love this country retreat for two

A hop to Montpellier, but deep in the countryside: a romantic pad, with Moroccan rugs, ochre-limed walls and bikes to ride into the country

Stylish, family-friendly hotel on the side of a peaceful Cotswold hill with big views, a choice of rooms and a 500-acre estate to explore

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

This small hotel with pool has elegant communal spaces, spoiling bedrooms, kind staff, delicious food and panoramic mountain views

A very tranquil spot with views of rolling countryside, the East Mendip Way on the doorstep and good pubs within walking distance

An elegant house with ancient roots and a shimmering pool – explore the Charente countryside, drive to lovely Angoulême

Surrounded by vines and swept by sea breezes, two lovely, simple gîtes with a gorgeous shared pool and a courtyard for boules

A light and bright converted milking parlour in a rural idyll with a BBQ hut, a spa overlooked by horses and a shared hot tub

Bedrooms have seersucker linen, doors open to the countryside and Beaune is a hop away. David and Niels ensure a memorable stay