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

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

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

Suspended in a sea of trees, this sleek, serene hideout is all about the forest, stars, stillness, and space - a Sawday's Community Champion

An ideal stopover at a handsome 1790 house on the edge of a small village surrounded by beautiful countryside and with friendly young owners

Unwind in a beautiful old mill house on the banks of the Célé river, surrounded by high limestone cliffs for outstanding walks and wildlife

A small yet elegant place for couples or small groups to enjoy the open countryside, rest, join a cooking course or book a massage

Encircled by wild dales and rugged fells, this spoiling cottage cocoons you in countryside peace with the added fun of a sauna in the garden

A pretty upside-down cottage, formerly a dovecote, lovingly restored with sustainability the focus

20 minutes’ walk from Gordes and a hop from Aix, find grownup peace and minimalism for lovers of modern style and timeless Provence

A flawlessly restored palazzo in the oldest part of town opposite an ancient monastery, with peaceful courtyard and a terrace with views

10 minutes from La Rochelle, a place of peace and style. From scrumptious breakfasts to a splash in the pool, your hosts are eager to please

A hop from St Mark’s Square, this long-standing hotel - a delightful family affair - could not be better placed for exploring Venice

Charmingly rambling, inside and out: blazing fires, riotous patterns, oak panelling, a prolific garden and comfortable antique beds

A surprisingly roomy interior for this pretty chocolate-box cottage in the middle of the village, just a ten-minute walk from Lulworth Cove

An elegant 1892 building, once the village school, now a very comfortable, colourful B&B with warm owners and delicious breakfasts

Elegant house with sprawling gardens and space for family and friends, within walking distance of the coast

Stay in the grounds of a 19th-century château turned family home, where 500-year-old oak trees shade a glorious garden