When it comes to a countryside escape, you can't get much better than the rolling hills and chocolate-box villages of the Cotswolds. Take a look at some of our best homes in the area – you can't really get much better than these either. 

Escape to the Country: Some Favourites From the Cotswolds

Pasties, cake, ice cream and pirates. If you stick Cornish in front of it, it becomes a tradition. So, here’s a very Cornish Cornwall 7 day itinerary. 


Cornwall Itinerary for 7 Days: How to Spend Them

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Country Idyll is the kind of home that makes you feel welcome as soon as you step through the front door. Classically charming with a modern twist, it sets the scene for a memorable escape in rural Lincolnshire. As soon as you arrive, drop your bags, flick on the kettle and cut yourself a slice of cake from the complimentary hamper left by your host. Take a seat at the bistro set in your quaint country garden and watch the birds and rabbits flit across the lawn. Once you’re rested and recharged, pull on your walking boots and set out for a ramble along bridleways and lesser travelled lanes. Plus, you’re less than a fifteen-minute drive from the market town of Grantham and the historic castle and stately home of Belvoir.  When you get home, the cosy living room with comfy tufted sofas calls for an evening in front of the crackling log fire, sharing a bottle of your favourite drop and playing board games with your loved ones. 

Country Idyll

Located in Cambridge's newest neighbourhood of Eddington, this sleek one-bedroom apartment has plenty of room to relax after a day of exploring, either on the comfy sofa or on the large bed. Cambridge is a cyclists' city, and given that you're only a couple of miles from the rambling streets and quaint waterways that crisscross the centre, we'd recommend a bike to get around – especially given Eddington's eco credentials. The flat is decorated in a soothing colour scheme of dusty pink and oceanic blues that fill you with a sense of calm. Downstairs, you'll find an on-site bar, restaurant, coffee shop and co-working space. If you're in town for work, Cambridge Business Park and other campuses are nearby. In addition, it's a short taxi, bike or bus into the historic centre and well-located for access to Stansted Airport, a thirty-five-minute drive away.

Praying Mantis

When you think of Cambridge, chances are you'll immediately picture the famous university. But there's more to this city than its academic history – lively bars, trendy restaurants and boutique shops lie alongside cosy pubs, independent cafes and antique bookstores. While punting down the River Cam and taking a peek at the prestigious colleges are an absolute must, a more off-the-beaten-track approach to your visit starts with a stay in this modern apartment, only a short taxi, cycle or bus ride away from the historic city centre. Everything you need is taken care of – there's fluffy bathrobes, a glossy kitchen filled with cookware, rainfall showers, Chromecast on the TV and even a welcome basket brimming with goodies. It's pretty stylish, too, inspired by the shapes, colours and designs of the 1960s and 1970s. We love the floor-to-ceiling windows as well as the private terrace – there's no better spot to unwind in the evenings than out there, a glass of wine in hand. And the cherry on top of it all is the long list of on-site amenities, including a small workout studio, shared rooftop terrace, communal courtyard, co-working space and even a restaurant when you don't feel like cooking. With so many places to spread out and relax and Cambridge's sights within easy reach, it's full marks from us for this contemporary pad.

The Imitation Game

Once the creamery on this Hampshire estate, you’re set back from the main house here. Wander the expansive grounds and get to know the banks of the River Itchen and manicured lawns. It’s a fifteen-minute drive to Winchester if you fancy a day out. 

This self-contained estate cottage draws the eye with its red-brick and white-columned exterior, cloaked in greenery. A covered little patio out the front is the perfect spot for an evening tipple, gazing out over the gardens before you. Step inside to find a book-lined hallway – a veritable library for bibliophiles. The living room is a riot of colour, yet remains classy in the palette of a Matisse painting. An original fireplace keeps things cosy in winter and big windows flood the place with sunlight in summer. Head through to the kitchen and find an Aga purring away (there’s a gas cooker too if you don’t want to negotiate cooking on the Aga). Bedrooms are a delight with four-poster beds and bookcases running from floor to ceiling.

The Old Creamery

The building in which this apartment sits has had many functions in its near-two-century history — straw hat factory, corn merchants and estate agents to name a few. Today, however, you'll find a gloriously contemporary home that'll help you have an exemplary stay in Dunstable.

As you look around for the first time, you'll feel instantly at peace, something to do with the soothing greys used throughout. In the living room, a pair of purple sofas, parquet flooring and the chandelier make for a classy space in which to unwind, while the sleek corner kitchen is plenty big enough for cooking up special dinners.

As is the case with many period properties, there's an inordinate amount of natural light from the tall (triple glazed) windows — what else were you to do before the widespread introduction of electric lighting? — but you can also head down to the building's communal courtyard for your fix of Vitamin D, too. Here, there's seating and a table, as well as bicycle storage. 

In local Dunstable, there are enough restaurants and cafes to keep you going, and there's a wealth of attractions that are easily reached nearby. London is only an hour away by train, but slightly closer to home, the Chiltern Hills AONB is rich with walking routes and historic sites — Ashridge Estate is twenty minutes' drive, for instance.

Hang on to Your Hat

Secret doors and treasures galore, this Grade II listed home in a quiet part of Long Bennington village is steeped in history and culture. A visual feast – you’ll find carved furniture from Africa, a Rajasthani chest, a coffee table from China, and red and gold chairs from Spain. It’s no wonder your hosts are both artists who love to travel. We could spend hours here just admiring the precious antiques around the home – including an intricately carved screen brought back by explorer Sir Francis Younghusband after he led the British Army into Tibet. More is more here with curiosities in every corner, but there’s plenty of space to relax too. Unwind in the foliage-filled conservatory, lie on the sofa in the living room where a traditional Persian rug pops against a terracotta floor, or take a walk amidst the daffodils in the garden outside. If you can ever peel yourself away from this magical gem, Newark historic market town – known for its indie shops, antiques and old buildings – is only a fifteen-minute drive from your door. One thing’s for sure, this spot will satisfy the soul. 

A Moving Feast

This cottage is part of a 470-acre estate inhabited since the 12th century. This cottage dates back to 1680 and was part of a renovation that saw the estate converted into a working farm and self-catering accommodation. The historic charm has been retained – we love the drawing room, which boasts floor-to-ceiling windows and a cosy fireplace. It also looks out over the sunken garden. The setting is idyllic, on the northern tip of Upper Lough Erne – there are eight islands to explore. There’s also a local pub within a mile.

The Brackendale

Just a five-minute walk from the picture-perfect village of Shere in the Surrey Hills, this place is a much-loved family home. Set in five acres of private grounds, with views across the rolling hills, it's bound to be a hit with lovers of the great outdoors, with excellent hiking and cycling routes from your door. A substantial period house approached via a sweeping drive, it's a slice of rural living on a grand scale – there's everything from an outdoor pool and tennis court to a vast vegetable garden and free-range hens. And children will love the sunken trampoline.

Inside, elegant styling, country furnishings and eclectic artwork blend to create a lived-in, warm feeling. A beautiful living room and snug both feature working fireplaces and the kitchen is extremely well-equipped when it comes to cooking for a large group (yes, there really are two dishwashers). You can even cook alfresco meals down at the pool house. But its most impressive room has to be the orangery, where a long dining table is the star of the show, against a backdrop of vast windows and doors with spectacular views.

Perfect for special gatherings, and with a new yoga studio, it's also a flexible space with an additional cottage and a garden studio that can be rented alongside it. And when you're not entertaining, the village, with its tea shop and pretty church, is just a stroll through the fields – one of the most scenic villages in England, you may recognise it as one of the locations where the movie The Holiday was filmed.

Green on My Mind

Take over this Victorian manor home, perched on a hillside overlooking Pendine Sands. Offering nine bedrooms, each with separate bathrooms, this palatial home has a multi-generational family stay written all over it. Kids will love you for the cinema room and separate games cabin in the gardens. And who wouldn’t be impressed with that grand dining room commanding sea views and a hot tub to soak up the sunset vistas? If we were being picky, some of the interiors feel a little tired in places. But for a home of this size, we can forgive that. Location-wise, you’re a short walk from the seven-mile-long beach and Pendine's seaside resort centre.

The Manor by the Sea

You'll find this 18th-century cottage in the heart of the South Downs, nestled on the edge of the illustrious Avington Park. Cosiness personified, the snug sitting room has a crackling wood-burner and squishy sofas that beckon for lounging, either with a glass of wine on chilly evenings or a good book on winter afternoons. A separate drawing room is a perfect spot to gather for family game nights, while the rustic kitchen has everything you'll need to rustle up Sunday roasts to enjoy around the dining table. Upstairs, the three comfortable bedrooms promise a good night's sleep. Our favourite is the third bedroom, with its exposed beams and vaulted ceilings – it has two double beds, making it a great option for kids. 

If you're in the mood to pick up the pace, Winchester is a fifteen-minute drive and has a wide array of shops, restaurants and museums. Or take it slow and enjoy a ramble through the countryside, stopping for a pint and some pub grub at the country inns.

Autumn's Being

Whether you're coming to Cambridge for work or pleasure, you can be sure of a warm welcome at this studio home in the city's Eddington area. With all the convenience of a hotel but the independence of a self-contained flat, it's a perfect choice if you enjoy an easy life – and who doesn't? But it's not just a matter of practicality – this place is modern, smart and super stylish. A larger than average unit, it's been designed to be comfortable and luxurious. There's living space, a dining table and a cosy king-size bed, as well as plenty of storage for your stuff and a little kitchen area that's surprisingly well kitted out. We love the bathroom, with its on-trend pink tiles and rainfall shower. And the building comes with a few perks too. There's a guest gym, a restaurant, co-working space and even a shared rooftop terrace. All this and it's just a ten-minute drive (or bike ride) into town.

Peach Shnapps

This apartment is located in the small village of Casterton, on the site of the Brontë sisters’ former school. It’s just a short drive from the bustling market town of Kirkby Lonsdale and within easy reach of some of the most popular spots in the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District. A large balcony stretches the length of the home, from the cosy living room to the main bedroom, boasting woodland views. The apartment is equipped with everything you might need for a comfortable stay. 

The Brontë Sisters

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Escape to the Country: Some Favourites From the Cotswolds

Cornwall Itinerary for 7 Days: How to Spend Them

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