Maybell Cottage

Industrial chic meets warm minimalism in the architect-designed interiors: colours are soothing, underfloor heating warms you (but there’s an open fire too), a sculptural steel firebox doubles as a grill for indoor barbecues, the lighting is superb and you have a cunningly disguised built-in sound system and TV – rainy days won’t be a problem and everything responds swiftly and silently to the press of a finger.

The Bulthaup kitchen comes as close as wood, steel and glass can to a computer so avid cooks will be impressed. You’ll find an artisan loaf and locally produced jam and chocolate to start you off but there are plenty of places to eat in the village. Wooden stairs (an exercise in pure geometry) take you up to a romantic bedroom and sparkling shower, down to a cinema room for some serious watching on a plush sofa.

To top it all you have your own private patio for nattering with a cuppa or a glass of wine in the evening.