A bright and prettily beamed barn with very comfortable interiors, private outdoor seating and a shared courtyard for barbecues and games

A beautifully-restored Devon bank barn at the end of a quiet lane in the glorious South Hams, just right for a couple or small family

Off the beaten track and into the hills – this remote, unknown bird-filled region is faultless for outdoorsy people

Heaps to do on-site: organic farm shop & café, cookery & cheese-making courses, farm tours. A brilliant base for exploring the Cotswolds too

Elegant country château with a family feel, for big groups with or without children, and those who seek inspiration

Rooms in an old palazzo in the historic centre of town, with a swimming pool, restaurant and café, and lovely beaches a short drive away

Near lively Lyon, this handsome family house is perfect for a Zen-like escape with delicious vegetarian meals and well-travelled hosts

Smart country inn in Constable country with lovely rooms and food - grab a picnic, hire a boat and drift along the river Stour

One of four wooden-clad off-grid cottages, sleek and calm indoors, high up in the Cheviot Hills and with stunning views over the valley

You get the best of all worlds here. Delicious beds, Provençal soaps, vineyard views, fresh croissants a stroll away…

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

Unwind comfortably indoors, or out in the walled garden - fly a kite in the field, take a bike to taste local wines, head for the Atlantic

The views are breathtaking over forest and field from this lovely barn conversion on a working farm, for special gatherings

An artist's house imbued with an understated elegance. Stay for dinner; be charmed by the garden where fruit trees throng, hens loiter

Sit back and relax at this luxuriously elegant grand manor in the heart of the Dordogne with a concierge service to take care of everything

Smart property on the 500-acre Farncombe Estate near Chipping Campden, with activities to suit all ages and a hot tub on the terrace

An elegant hotel in the quiet side of town with stylish rooms, lovely food and a courtyard garden for cocktails before dinner

Surrounded by delightful gardens, these gîtes are serene retreats from which you can discover the Dordogne, or gently unwind