A sculptor's studio, flooded with light, converted into a restful holiday home surrounded by glorious countryside, near Totnes

A cosy, courteous, family-run hotel with ‘chocolatines’ and cherry jams at breakfast, Basque dishes at dinner, and gorgeous rolling views

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

This cottage is stylish and serene, beautifully transformed from an old farm building – come for golf, beaches, walks and bird-watching

Outside a perfect bastide village, an elegant manoir for lazy days in the Dordogne, fabulous dinners and glorious gardens

Proper village pub with much-praised food and cosy rooms; country walks lead from the door and Oxford is half an hour away

Authenticity and originality combine at this family chateau with its panelled rooms, theatrical flourishes and charming candlelit dinners

The road hugs the rocky coast with glorious views to the Mull of Kintyre and three fishing village cottages where modern comforts abound

A beautifully restored annexe in a picturesque village in the heart of Suffolk. Take a camera - it's seriously picture-perfect around here

Explore woodlands, farmland and gardens, plunge into the heated pool, dine at Flora Restaurant at Trelowarren. This is civilized luxury

An impressive limestone house on three levels created within the ruins of an ancient village with uninterrupted views of the Vézère valley

Perched in gorgeous gardens and with stunning views, this 18th-century presbytery has lovely rooms and an excellent gourmet restaurant

Converted barn with the most welcoming owners – the garden and pool are all yours; explore a less touristy part of the Dordogne

Elegant Italian style in a sensitively-restored villa with sweeping views over rolling hills and forests

Delicious food, stylish bedrooms and very helpful staff come hand in hand at this buzzing little inn that stands on the river Avon

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

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?

A very comfortable and attractive 1820 gate lodge surrounded by mature trees on a family estate, in gently rolling countryside