It’s amazing to think that Camber’s five-mile stretch of unspoilt coastline is only an hour from London. And just behind the dunes is this carefully redesigned three-bedroom modern cottage, done up in a subtly seasidey way (note the tongue-and-groove-clad walls painted in soft neutrals by Farrow & Ball). Despite its proximity to the beach – we make it a five-minute walk – it’s peaceful and secluded, with an east-facing garden and separate outside studio. NB – it would make the perfect holiday spot for birdwatchers; twitchers flock to nearby Romney Marsh, dubbed “the fifth continent” by 19th-century author Thomas Ingoldsby, for its natural beauty, diverse habitats and rich history. Rye, meanwhile, is only a 20-minute cycle ride away.

There’s something about the Cornish light that we just can’t get enough of. And where better to bask in it than the county’s southern coast, with its calmer seas and hidden coves. Mador Architects designed this ecologically conscious holiday house as part of a complex, using local materials including timber boarding and natural stone to respond to the older vernacular buildings in these parts. Designed to make the most of the site’s breathtaking views, there’s also huge terrace – complete with wood-fired hot tub, perfect after a bracing sea-dip. Rest assured, for those not yet converted to Wim Hof’s cold-water method, residents also have full access to a swimming pool and sauna, as well as a freshwater plunge pool and gym. It’s worth noting the house is registered as a holiday home, so while it can be occupied 365 days of the year, it can’t be used as a primary home.

Is it the jaw-dropping turquoise waters, the rugged coastline or the rich abundance of wildlife that attracts so many poets, artists and authors – to say nothing of the holidaymakers – to the spectacular southerly tip of Scotland’s Outer Hebrides? Among the area’s gems – Barra, often referred to as a ‘jewel island’ – is home to the Isle of Barra Beach Hotel, whose sculptural forms are designed to recall the hulls of upturned ships. Sitting alone atop the rocky cliffs that drop to Tangasdale beach, the hotel – a first for TMH – has 39 bedrooms. But while the interiors are inviting, it’s the tantalising views of the surrounding by grassy meadows, dotted with wandering sheep, and wild waters that steal the show. Keep an eye out for dolphins.

Mention the Cotswolds and most people think of chocolate-box cottages and quaint villages. But Turner Works have other ideas. The outfit’s extraordinary design for this steel Dutch barn cuts a striking profile among the golden stone thatched roofs of its neighbours in Long Compton. Set in 14 acres of rewilded Warwickshire countryside, the house – built as a holiday home, so no permanent prospects here – has soaring ceilings, smart internal finishes (think polished concrete and Douglas fir) and seven bedrooms, all with far-reaching views across rolling fields. The impressive grounds offer plenty of scope to add further value too, with planning permission for five glamping pods also designed by the architects.

In 1990, art critic Jonathan Meades suggested Hastings be renamed Bohemia, owing to its perennial popularity with creative communities. It’s for good reason, such is the wealth of beautiful buildings here. Among them is this former church house, recently transformed into a three-bedroom home with a separate two-bedroom annex. While the natural light that cascades into the living area through is lovely, the restored church beams are the highlight, punctuating the upper floors and standing as a reminder of the building’s past. Hastings itself is naturally a draw for tourists, many of whom come for its legendary antique dealers and art galleries, though the burgeoning gastronomic scene here is a pull too. Just remember when you’re typing up notes for your guests: it wouldn’t be a seaside break without some piping-hot chips wrapped in paper from local stalwart Maggie’s, eaten on the Stirling Prize-winning pier.

The early 19^th century saw the face of central London changing, thanks to the rash of Regency architects busying themselves with building. And where better to experience the grandeur of stucco than Pimlico? Found on the first floor of a handsome townhouse forming part of a celebrated residential grid laid out by Thomas Cubitt in 1825, this inventive apartment, with interiors by Fiona Cowan, balances sleek surfaces with bold dashes of colour and more unusual materials, including recycled leather and cork. Top marks for the juxtaposition of intricate cornicing with clean minimalist lines – a masterful marriage of two distinct styles – and effortlessly chic. Belgravia’s vibrant villagey nature is part of the appeal too: its beautiful garden square, abundance of cosy pubs and proximity not just to the Thames but Tate Britain make it a properly top spot.

We’ve heard the phrase ‘labour of love’, but never did it feel truer than at Tamar Barns. This ensemble of beautifully restored farm buildings took more to 10 years to reimagine and, looking at their impeccable execution and sensitive modern detailing, it’s not hard to see why. Designed in harmony with the original 16^th-century fabric, the contemporary amendments offer a rural take on modernist principles, pairing exposed beams with expansive glazing and resulting in a palpable sense of volume. Sitting on the Devon/Cornwall border, the buildings – two of which are currently in use as holiday lets – are surrounded by 1.5 acres of garden, which have been beautifully landscaped and are bursting with diverse wildlife.