A humdinger of a pub, hidden in a sleepy village in the Surrey Hills, oozing character and charm and with delicious food and comfy bedrooms

Close to sandy beaches between Penzance and Helston, three places to stay with characterful interiors and freshly baked scones waiting

In the heart of a starlight reserve in a protected natural park, three authentic cottages with walks from the door for immersion in nature

Follow in Picasso’s footsteps and spin up to vibrant Sheffield for a night at this stunning hotel, where flawless bedrooms wait

Your own wing of an impressive 1700 baronial castle, restored with authenticity and with a lovely garden, wildlife and a little river

Two cosy cottages on a former winemaking estate with private terraces, a shared pool, stunning views and glorious walks from the door

A 18th-century house with pool in a small town with friendly owners and a tropical garden of banana, fig and, of course, frangipani

Special back-to-nature, stargazing loft for couples and families, on a nature-filled estate in Piedmont

Charming 15th-century farmhouse near Montrésor and Loches with immense lawns, orchards and a fabulous pool

An award-winning dog-friendly pub with rooms. Find happy staff, delicious well-sourced food and comfy rooms – great for walkers

Plenty of restful, comfortable space indoors and out in the Mediterranean garden with its courtyard pool – restaurants to walk to

A fairytale château with ancient roots, now beautifully renovated with lovely bedrooms, terrace, garden and ponds for gracious living

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

A quirky hotel with enthusiastic owners in an authentic Andalucian town, just ten minutes up winding roads from Marbella

The view is pure Canaletto, the vibe is modern and laid back. Just minutes from all Venice’s best bits, but with far fewer tourists

Your own private suite in the wing of a traditional Burgundian winemaker's house in a tiny hamlet, surrounded by fields of vines

If you want to come to Venice as an open-hearted traveller rather than a tourist then this is the place for you - just walk to everything

Like staying in a family home, only with Henri III furniture and rolling green views. Energetic hosts cook, farm, hunt, chat over champagne