Three gîtes in the Dordogne with panoramic countryside views and a swimming pool – book individually or together for a group holiday

Wend your way down steep paths to Durgan beach, explore the magic of Charles’s wonderful garden and feast on Caroline’s super breakfasts

This is a superb base to explore the island's glittering bays, vibrant coastal cities, mountains, valleys and forests

In glorious rural Umbria, a spacious old farmhouse with magnificent views of mountains and Lago Trasimeno, rustic décor and a lovely pool

An exquisitely restored 500-year-old inn, where the accent is very much on food, reared and grown nearby and with very comfortable rooms

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

A substantial old house, originally built in 1836 and recently renovated, for grand special occasions with stunning views and a hot tub

Sun-soaked stillness, saltwater dips and garden scents of fig and rosemary - slow days unfold between olive trees and a sky full of stars

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

A lovely gîte, once a hunting lodge, with two private terraces overlooking the manicured gardens of an 1830s manor house

Perched on a hillside between mountains and sea is this charming house in a modern Spanish style, engulfed by a beautiful garden with views

A beautifully-restored old cow shed, light and airy, floating over a wildflower meadow in spring and summer. 20 mins from the Jurassic Coast

Deep in the Lake District, a well-loved family home with open fires and heavenly views, a private woodland and a short walk to a good pub

The views are green, both cottages are homely and comfortable and the gardens have direct access to the riverbank footpath for walks

Come for the rural charm of this cottage. Green as far as the eye can see, near a village surrounded by rivers. Wellies essential

A heavenly setting for this very well-hidden cottage with its own small pool, amazing views and delightful pebble beach below

The village is tiny, the bar is lively, the food is delicious. The Cotswolds are at your feet and you’re encouraged not to lift a finger

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