A friendly rural town pub with smart rooms, locally inspired menus and Cheshire and north Wales to explore – bring the dog too

A stunner of a setting for this restored croft house with long views to a sparkling loch and a lively village nearby. Good beaches too

A hugely seductive and stylish special place - with magnificent views, pool and bikes, vineyards and hilltop villages to visit

A beautiful villa, a cabin, hut and a loft on the sunny side of the harbour and a stroll from the beach. Faultless finds!

An enchanting hideaway with sensational views in a flowery English semi-wild country garden, near Sissinghurst and Great Dixter

Kate makes you feel at home the moment you enter her great big beloved house - full of books, guitars and a piano, antiques and huge spaces

Glorious airy living space in this superbly restored barn, a terrace with long views and a pool across the garden - bikes to borrow too

Victorian almshouse with architectural pedigree, sweeping countryside views and easy access to charming local towns

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

An elegant townhouse, built in 1830 and once the sous-préfecture for Rochefort, with spacious, light-filled rooms and a garden with pool

Beautifully restored medieval hall house – perfect for big family gatherings, with separate cottage, replica steam train and secluded garden

Atmospheric English pub with rooms by the green with its duck ponds in a pretty village, with walking and cycling routes to join

Two lovely places to stay down by the shore of Clew Bay for much peace, space and modern comforts in a magical watery world

For retreats, groups of friends, and big families: come to recharge the senses at this special and ancient house enveloped by wild gardens

A tranquil cabin for two in rural countryside near arty Totnes: there are walks from the door and all of Devon is yours to explore

This small hotel with pool has elegant communal spaces, spoiling bedrooms, kind staff, delicious food and panoramic mountain views

At the foot of the Cambrian Mountains, an ancient whitewashed cottage with cosy, light-flooded interiors – a perfect rural bolthole for two