Come for big skies, grand walking and hilly cycling. Style and comfort abound in this cottage set on the hillside with views to North Uist

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

An 18th-century cottage for four on a working sheep farm: walk the Pentland Hills, get the bus to Edinburgh for culture

Provençale-meets-English country house to great effect – cycle Mont Ventoux, walk to the monastery, visit Roman towns and vineyards

A traditional cottage in Polruan on the Fowey estuary with harbour and cove views and a tea shop and two pubs in the village

An elegant home with an easy atmosphere – Andrea is a great host. Comfortable bedrooms with window seats overlook the pretty walled gardens

Take up residence in central London, surrounded by good places to eat. You have your own vast open plan living space, light and lovely.

Welcome to a cosy, country-rustic bolthole for four, in a friendly, community village inn, with some of the best food in Shropshire

Feel like a film star in this fun, 50s-inspired former chapel with its own record collection; walk to the coast path or the friendly local

A remote, rustic place for a digital detox - wildly romantic and perfect in summer with the doors open. Children can play in safety

A super old place for those who love history and Thomas Hardy. Come for enjoyable gastropub food and comfortable, traditional bedrooms

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

What a surprise to find a masseria in the heart of a Puglian village. Welcome to Anna’s elegant agriturismo

A stone built 18th-century tower in a pretty valley dotted with fruit trees for quiet and relaxed days recuperating from life in the city

A modern, beautifully refurbished inn set in smart gardens, overlooking the village pond and surrounded by Hampshire hills for grand walks

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

A sweet little gîte for two in the centre of a dreamy medieval village. Happily private but with loads to explore from your door

Log fires smoulder, rooms are comfortable, the food is delicious and there's bags of character at this old village pub – once a cider house