Decoy Farm House

It might just be the views that linger longest in your memory after a stay at Decoy House Farm – and that's saying something, because the luxury country house is a beauty in its own right. But from the windows in every room, or the sandstone patio and timber decking that runs the length of the property, there's nothing below and beyond except the most glorious Somerset countryside, which spreads and rolls across farmed fields and green hills as far as the eye can see. Knowing that this is a valuable selling-point, the house's owners have done their best to let you revel in it – so there are sun-loungers and a rattan garden suite, an elevated hot tub, and a winding path cut through the paddock below to a lonely shepherd's hut, where you can sit in the sun and soak up the views.

Obviously, you'll have to go inside at some point. Good news, it's just as gorgeous, with a stylish country vibe that doesn't sacrifice comfort for glam. There are big, comfy sofas and rich fabrics, handsome rugs, cosy nooks, and an original fireplace or two – but we're also talking designer kitchen with central island, cinema room, and three super-stylish upstairs bedrooms. The master is en-suite, and with a king-sized bed; the second bedroom is a double; and there's a third, a single, though there's a pull-out bed too for a sixth person. A downstairs loo and separate first-floor family bathroom means enough capacity for a full house too.

Given the outdoor space, and the incentive to explore the countryside, it feels odd to say this is also a great choice for off-season visits. But it really is such a cosy, comfortable house, that a bit of rain or cold weather isn't going to spoil anything. With plenty of places to snuggle up and read, watch a movie, or relax over a long meal, it's a great base for families and friends, whatever the time of year. When it is time to leave the house, you're just three miles or so from the small and pretty market town of Somerton, which has some very nice places to eat and drink. Glastonbury is six miles to the north, with Wells and the Mendip Hills beyond – but still, you'll have to go a long way to find views that beat those from your own luxurious Somerset country retreat.