Life doesn’t get more picturesque than at this riverside home in the Cornish village of Lerryn, which is set within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and was the inspiration for Kenneth Grahame’s book The Wind in the Willows. The four-bedroom house sits directly on the water’s edge, so you can quite literally step outside and dive in for a wild swim at high tide. Lovingly restored by the acclaimed American architect MJ Long (best known for designing the British Library alongside her husband, Sandy Wilson), it has a host of original features including lime-rendered walls, slate floors and timber-framed windows with deep window seats from which to enjoy the views. A Grade II-listed Elizabethan bridge crosses the river to take you to the village centre – where you’ll find a school, post office, shop and pub – or you can walk across on stepping stones when the tide is low.

With its silvery larch exterior and barn-like profile, this beautiful home was built to a design inspired by traditional West Highland blackhouses – a consistent inspiration for the award-winning Dualchas Architects who conceived it – which is fitting, given its rural position overlooking Loch Dunvegan on the western side of Skye. Step inside, however, and you’ll find light Scandinavian-inspired interiors. The open-plan layout of the ground floor is ideal for hosting friends and family – particularly in the warmer months, when glass doors can be opened on to a timber deck perfect for BBQs. An oak staircase leads to a tranquil upper level with two large bedrooms, both with ample storage and views out to calming waters, distant mountains and, on a clear night, a sky ablaze with stars.

This four-bedroom home’s clean architectural form stands out against the surrounding agricultural farmland. Beyond its façade of zinc and Italian timber cladding, the free-flowing living spaces span more than 3,585sq ft. Golden-hued floorboards run throughout to create a sense of cohesion, while full-height glazing invites natural light in and frames vast views of the lush garden and gorgeous green-belt countryside beyond. Although you can only see fields and sky when standing on the south-facing terrace, those that revel in the buzz of the city can rest assured knowing that this exquisite home is only 12 miles from Liverpool.

This four-bedroom mid-century house is located within the wild landscape of Orrock, which feels blissfully remote yet is still easily within reach of Aberdeen for all your city needs. Beneath a distinctive butterfly roof, the predominantly open-plan living spaces are packed full of character – vintage American cabinetry and pops of candy hues make for a joyful 1950s-leaning scheme. Outside, a south-facing cantilevered balcony leads down to gardens filled with deep borders of plants, hedges and towering trees that provide privacy as well as shade in the warmer months. The house’s slightly elevated position ensures far-reaching views of the sprawling countryside – and there’s even a fenced vegetable plot, where you can live out all your country-life fantasies.

Designed by renowned local architect Reginald Gale for his family, this 1970s mid-century gem, nestled within the quiet Devon countryside, has since been lovingly restored by its current owners (watch our film to hear about the project). A characterful stone and timber exterior conceals showstopping interiors featuring stained-glass windows, original Sicilian marble flooring, a central fireplace clad in copper and playful retro wallpaper. Enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding sheep fields from various spots around the house and gardens, which measures more than 1.3 acres and attracts a diverse habitat of local birds and wildlife. Keen surfers rejoice: the waves of the River Taw estuary are within easy reach.

Lying low on a hillside in Scotland’s Dalry, looking out over the River Ken and the Rhinns of Kells, this RIBA award-winning four-bedroom house was designed in 2009 by architect Simon Winstanley, known for his commitment to creating environmentally conscious homes. It comes as no surprise, then, that sustainability is at the fore here: the single-storey house has a low-carbon rating and its electricity is generated by a private wind turbine. Its calm and contemporary living spaces have a natural flow, facing compelling views. The surrounding gardens (comprising an envy-inducing 14 acres of private land), meanwhile, are perfect for making for most of the glorious sunrises and sunsets.

The interiors of this barn conversion are as serene and natural as its secluded position in the pretty hamlet of West Buckland on the South Devon coastline. Approached down a quiet country lane, it has been brought up to date with a soft and textural material palette of stone, glass and wood, while whitewashed walls provide a canvas to reflect your own personality upon. Arranged in an L-shaped plan, the bright and airy living spaces, where you’ll find a pair of log burners and skylights strategically placed for dramatic shards of light, have a lovely flow. And, to top it all off, the house is ideally located just a 15-minute stroll away from the long sandy beaches at Bantham.