A classic French beauty of a place; home to an engaging young family who love to entertain and look after you with great care

A sylvan hideaway tucked into the hills of the Southern Alps, full of Provençal charm inside and out – Saint-Cézaire and the coast are close

It's not often you get an entire hamlet to yourselves but here it is – 10 traditional stone houses with big communal spaces in rural bliss

A magical chateau set in the forested hills of Burgundy with lovely rooms, peaceful walks, home cooking and a merry welcome

Spacious bedrooms, friendly hosts and a classic English country house in a peaceful hamlet with walks from the doorstep

Head inland for grand walking or to the glorious coast from this very pretty cottage with a private garden, suitable and safe for dogs

Sweep along the gravel drive through lawns and specimen trees to this elegant manor house with 17th-century roots

A very generous amount of space in this beautifully restored annexe with heated pool and outstanding views over the East Devon AONB

A really well thought-out escape for a small family with children. A big garden, pool, petanque court and play barn for indoor fun

A sophisticated and friendly Basque beauty overlooking the Bay of Biscay, in Txakoli vineyard country – prepare to be thoroughly spoilt

A beautiful little house in a corner of the garden: walk for miles or just to the local pub, barbecue on the deck with its rural views

Laid-back hosts, delicious breakfasts and a staggering sense of history in peaceful Welsh countryside - magical place for a special occasion

In the Welsh Marches, down winding lanes, a delightful refurbished hop pickers' house - romantic bolthole for 2. Friendly owners, too

Stay in the wilds of south Cork, where new life is being breathed into a much-loved family home and you can simply join in

A magical family house with its toes in the water, a beach either side and Padstow’s pretty harbour and restaurants down the road

A happy guest told us, ‘A marvellous way to see a beautiful château and this is probably the best that we have stayed in’

Peaceful Basque farmhouse turned smart country B&B, only 20 minutes from restaurants and museums in Bilbao and unspoiled sandy beaches