Big house with bags of character and easy access to beaches, cafés and cobbled streets, coastal paths and hidden coves

Gite retreats in château grounds - welcoming and wonderful for young families. Build castles in the sandpit, make friends around the pool

Settle into an unhurried pace of life on the coast. Comfortable houses and an eco-friendly garden; yoga, massages and riding can be arranged

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

This elegantly restored house with stunning views to snow-capped peaks is a testament to the owners' love of art and antiques

Two family and dog friendly retreats for lovers of the countryside, birdwatchers and those wishing to escape the crowds

Come for a spot of indulgence, with seriously good food and wine, oodles to do in the courtyard, great bedrooms and a cool spa for a splurge

Wingham is a pretty village near Canterbury known for its thatched cottages, medieval houses, and a much-loved pub called The Dog

A joyful, inviting house on a 15-acre smallholding in Devon. Super food, gracious hosts, delightful bedrooms - leave feeling nourished

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

Inland Algarve, away from the crowds – this gorgeous house with pool and gardens is a haven for families and friends

Delightful little antique-filled cottage with large walled garden and an allotment near Versailles. Gardeners will be happy

Big skies, a tantalising beach and truly inspired food combinations at this friendly, busy coastal village inn – stylish rooms too

Head down the Strood causeway and step back in time for a slice of Mersea Island's old-world charm: beaches, fresh oysters & a charming inn

An ancient building filled with beauty and sitting in the quietest SSSI valley, criss-crossed by medieval drove ways buzzing with wildlife

Superbly comfortable house with beamed rooms, lovely views, club-like morning room, antiques, terrace, pool, fitness centre and lily pond

An 18th-century townhouse on a quiet Arles street with a traditional feel and kind hosts - you'll be the only guests at this Provençal home

A stylish, refined 17th-century house off a quiet street with its own garden and lots of generous surprises, a short hop to everything