Near Bodmin Moor, Cornwall, U.K., The Old Wagon House offers an excellent value, self catering, farmhouse stay in the heart of some gentle, peaceful countryside. Their beautifully maintained, rustic style, self catering cottage is on a working sheep farm close to the town of Launceston, and also to the city of Plymouth in neighbouring Devon. THE ACCOMODATION: The accommodation is a tastefully done barn conversion, dating from the 19th century, complete with traditional exposed wood beamed ceilings. It’s a one bedroom property with a four poster double bed, but also comes with two single beds in an annex off the lounge area if needed for extra guests. There’s a log burning stove in the living room/lounge area too, and a flat screen TV. You’ll also find a modern, fully equipped kitchen at the property plus a bathroom with a wet room and walk in shower. And outside there is a nice patio/decking area with a table and chairs THE FARM: Old Wagon farmhouse is on a working sheep farm which guests are welcome to explore, there is also a small vegetable garden from where you can pick a few of your own vegetables for cooking with. They have a small gift shop at the farmhouse too where you can buy some of their own wool products to take home. THE LOCATION: St. Clether is a beautifully quiet and rural part of Cornwall, about a mile in from the coast and Downderry; a picturesque little village with its own popular beach. From the farmstay you can see the sea in the distance while also enjoying some lovely views of the surrounding nearby countryside. If you’re feeling energetic they have bike hire at READ MORE

Bólstaðarhlíð Farm Cottage is a cosy self catering cottage on a family farm way up in the wilds of beautiful northern Iceland. The cottage is modern and clean and can sleep up to four people, and though very near to the main farmhouse it offers a splendid sense of  quiet solitude, and is especially inspiring in winter nights when the northern lights come out. THE ACCOMMODATION: The cottage has been recently refurbished and has a kitchen and lounge area, a double bedroom with queen size bed and a good bathroom. There is also a double sofa bed in the lounge so it can sleep up to 4 people comfortably. You’ll find the place well equipped with modern facilities, there is WiFi throughout plus a smart TV equipped with Netflix in the lounge. The cottage is very near the main farmhouse so, though you can enjoy much peace and quiet, the friendly owners are always at hand to help out with anything you need and are always happy to show guests around the farm. THE FARM: Bólstaðarhlíð has a working farm which has been in the same family for nearly 200 years. They usually have about 100 sheep and a number of horses at the farm these days, along with a friendly dog and cat at the farmhouse.  The setting is a tidy little valley amid green hills and a winding river and with the sheep grazing peacefully it is a beautifully quiet and relaxing place to wander around. The friendly farm owners are always happy to show guests around the farm and you are free to explore yourself, take a walk around the mountains, sit by the river or visit the READ MORE

For a healthy and relaxing holiday break in the mountains of Austria’s East Tyrol region, Oberschupferhof might be a good choice. It is a self catering holiday home on a working organic farm 1,378 meters above sea level in some of the most stunning scenery this beautiful country can offer. THE ACCOMMODATION: The farmhouse is quite new but built in traditional Austrian style, with some great Tyrolean wood craftmanship on display. There is a full 300 m² of space to enjoy, and can sleep up to seven people. The interiors are all wood paneled, beautifully so, and it gives a very much alpine flavour to the house. There are four bedrooms, a large living room and dining area with cable TV, a fully equipped kitchen with, amongst other features, a traditional Tyrolean tiled stove, three bathrooms (two of which have a bathtub), four toilets, and lots of outside space including a terrace with barbecue facilities and a play area for children. You are free to wander the farm, which even has its own little chapel and where you can meet some of the friendly animals, including their Tyrolean Grey cattle, and help yourself to some of the organic fruits, vegetables, herbs and berries that grow there. You’ll find the owners friendly and hospitable too and though the accommodation is self catering they can delver you fresh bread every morning if you so need. THE LOCATION: If you thirst for adventure and for even more stunning views you can go hiking along some of the many mountain trails around and in winter the area is a well known centre for skiing, snow boarding etc. with the Hochpustertal Valley ski area just 7 km READ MORE

Agriturismo Antichi Granai is a scenic rural retreat between Palermo and Trapani in the depths of rural west Sicily. The hillside accommodation is that of a stylish and minimalist, traditional Sicilian farmhouse, the food is excellent, as is the homemade Nero d’Avola wine, and the hosts are enthusiastic, warm and welcoming. THE ACCOMMODATION: The have a choice of rooms and suites to sleep up to in the rustic farmhouse which dates back to the early 1900s. All  of them are spacious and clean and come private bathroom, WiFi, air-con, central heating and lovely views of the surrounding countryside. Outside there are terrace and garden areas which are beautifully designed and maintained with plenty of lounging and al fresco dining space. There is a swimming pool in the gardens too and all around you can enjoy the same lovely views. There is a large working farm here too of course which you are more than welcome to take a look around, and do some horseback riding too. If you so wish, you can also join in some of the activities; harvesting the olives or wheat for example, or helping to collect some of the great array of vegetables and fruit which go in to the fine food at the farmhouse restaurant. THE LOCATION: Though just over an hour from Palermo and roughly half that from Trapani this agriturismo feels very much in the middle of nowhere. From its hilltop setting you have really tremendous views over the miles and miles of rolling hills that surround. There is barely a hint of urbanization in these parts with the exception of the picturesque little town of Calatafimi Segesta, so it will doubtless be a READ MORE

In the village of Straid, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland, 15 minutes from the Giants Causeway and less than a half an hour from Belfast, Ballylagan guesthouse has comfortable accommodation in a 19th century farmhouse on a working organic farm. It has its own farm shop too and tea room with outside seating. All their rooms are spacious and comfortable with flat screen TV, WiFi and en-suite bathroom. They serve a great breakfast every morning, plus you can get various light lunches and snacks in the tea room later in the day.No There is a tennis court nearby and the farm owners can organize bike hire for exploring the surrounding area. READ MORE

Manor Farm House has comfortable and spacious B&B accommodation in a very lovely, Georgian era, farmhouse on the northern edge of the Salisbury Plain near Marlborough, Wiltshire, U.K.  The family also run the adjoining 500 acre arable farm which, like the farmhouse, has been in that same family for five generations, and has wonderful views over the surrounding countryside, part of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. THE ACCOMMODATION: The Grade 2 listed farmhouse is full of character and charm and has three very comfortable, and equally charming, guest bedrooms. One super-king size double room, one twin room and one king size double bedroom. They all are spacious and come with flat screen TV and full length mirrors. The bathrooms are particularly nice too with traditional enamel bath tubs and power showers. You will be treated to a fine breakfast every morning, a freshly cooked, full English farm house breakfast, and/or a selection of cereals, fruits, jams, bread, cheeses, porridge etc. Dietary restrictions can be catered for too with a little advanced notice. For food throughout the day there are some good options nearby including the Barley Corn country pub, just a two minute walk down the road, which does quality evening meals. The large farm is arable, growing mainly wheat and barley but with some linseed and oil seed rape and linseed too. The family are keen on respecting the environment too and in mind of that around 20,000 trees have been planted there in the last thirty years or so. And, all over the farm you will see evidence of traditional hedge laying and old style skills like coppicing and thatching. THE LOCATION: The farm is READ MORE

Rock Farm Slane, Co. Meath, Ireland, has a lot going on: It’s an eco-friendly, organic agritourism farmstay & activity centre with luxury glamping tents, yurts and huts on a section of the Slane Castle estate that stretches for 1.5km along the banks of the River Boyne. The long track down to the farm takes in views of Slane Village and the Hill of Slane beyond as you wind through fields of barley, forestry, cows, chickens and horses to the Limehouse Ecolodge beyond which has been built out of straw from the barley around. The Farm Office has a small shop selling organic meat and eggs from the farm as well as a few specials from the Slane Food Circle and other great local producers, including ice cream, cheese and local vegetables. A short walk from there you’ll find the glamping in a lovely woodland glade with views across the river valley to Slane Castle beyond. You can choose between their great selection of different sized yurts and huts, which all give access to a large shared kitchen, and all of which have their own seating area. And outside there is a hot tub and barbecue facilities. There’s plenty to do around the farm too, especially for kids, with organised rafting and kayaking, bikes for hire, tree climbing and straw bale making. And they also have a wellness centre with various therapies such as reiki, aromatherapy massage, hot stone massage and reflexology. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Castle View, cute animals on the farm, cosy shepherds hut. Awesome hot tub, lit by candlelight and the moon and stars….” “Loved everything! Amazing sunrise from the window of our ‘bedroom’! Great staff explained everything. READ MORE

Near the lovely city of Bath, Ivy Cottage is a very cute and cosy farm cottage stay on a large, Duchy of Cornwall owned, organic farm surrounded by the peaceful green hills of rural North Somerset. THE ACCOMMODATION: The cottage is fully self contained with a kitchen, double/twin bedroom, bathroom, a comfortable lounge area with flat screen TV, DVD player and Wifi, plus there is also a very nice outdoor terrace & seating area with lovely views over the surrounding countryside. The cottage is self catering but the helpful farm owners can provide you with a good breakfast if you want, just let them know. Children are allowed, and they can fix up an extra bed or crib for you for an extra GBP 20 per night. But pets are not allowed. The farm which is leased from the Duchy of Cornwall is a fully working organic farm set out over a large area of prime agricultural land. There are over 300 acres of it in fact, and it is home to herds of beef cattle and sheep as well as patches of old woodland and small brooks. THE LOCATION: The farm stay is, as mentioned, only fifteen minutes from the great Roman spa city of Bath, very much one of Britain’s loveliest urban areas and full of historical interest. The North Somerset countryside around it is true West Country, with a blissful rural charm to be found among its rolling hills and quaint little villages. If you feel like getting in the car and touring this lovely area, you’ll be in driving distance of plenty of sights from the cottage; the spectacular Longleat House in neighbouring Wiltshire, with its famous safari park for READ MORE