An ancient thatched cottage near Dartmoor with a warming log fire in winter and flowers inside and out in the summer

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

In a small town in Salento is a cool southern house of elegant simplicity, ideal for a large family, near to beaches & 45 minutes from Lecce

What a surprise! Tucked into a row of tightly woven old cottages is this contemporary open-plan hideaway with huge windows and much flair

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

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

This is Somerset at its most quintessential: a thatched roofed, honey-coloured Hamstone cottage with a pretty courtyard garden; sleeps four

Gorgeous old pile in five acres of blissful country between the Dales and the Lakes - it’s super relaxed and perfect for everybody

A fabulous country boozer, revamped in style with a buzzy atmosphere, great food and welcoming bedrooms - good walking countryside too

Comfortable, understated, spotless and authentic – a modest family hideaway on Brittany’s stunning Crozon Peninsula (think Land’s End...)

Gracious Florentine hospitality, elegance and comfort, gazebo breakfasts, a flower-filled garden with pool and views of olive groves

Lovely owners have created this quirky space on their farm; side-by-side al fresco baths make it romantic for two

Bountiful breakfasts, the warmest of owners and Breton adventures. Enjoy romantic ruins, quaint villages and delicious seafood suppers

A contemporary rooftop room in a warmly civilised B&B filled with books and lovely things – stunning view too

An elegantly renovated coaching inn with inspired design, beautifully simple pub food, tempting ales and gloriously comfortable bedrooms

Birders will love escaping up here, golfers too - visit Hatfield House, Knebworth, Cambridge - come back to a good local pub and a comfy bed

Chocolate-box cottages in deepest Normandy, owned by bright young things with a passion for organic cuisine and the good life

Filled with interesting finds, antiques and artefacts, this is a charming cabin hideaway for couples on the banks of the Kingsbridge Ria