Secret garden escapes
Far from the madding crowds, with tangled trees, walled gardens and fragrant rose arches, our secret garden escapes are the stuff of green-fingered dreams.
Luxury isn't bound by bricks and mortar, and while velvet sofas and linen sheets make for romance, it's the setting which can really set our souls on fire. We've thoroughly enjoyed the 'task' of scouring the back gardens and extensive grounds of luxury country homes right across the UK to find secret boltholes with the emphasis on green. Think pretty fences hiding scrambling clematis and romantic swags of purple flowering wisteria, scarlet creeper and heavenly scented roses; our secret garden escapes celebrate the pruned and re-wilded, the perfectly manicured and wildly unkempt. Retreat to a self-catering idyll where al fresco living is the name of the game, walking barefoot across the dewy lawn with the morning paper and a basket of croissants, enjoying a quiet coffee in the dappled light of your own private orchard.

Avalon Manor
Upton Scudamore, Wiltshire, UK
Superb 14th century large self-catering Manor House in Wiltshire. Stylish and historic, it's the perfect luxury country house.
Sleeps: Up to 12 guests (+ 2 children)
From: £4,250 per week, £3,195 per short break
Alternative Group Option: Up to 6 guests
Pets: Sorry, no pets
Features: Games room, mini gym and tree house for children. A cedar hot tub and outdoor woodfired BBQ and pizza oven.