Shepherds House Edzell, Brechin

This charming stone house hidden away on the hillside gives you a wonderful space to rest and relax after a day out. Take a walk around nearby Edzell Castle and Garden (4.5 miles) where the ruins are surrounded by beautiful grounds. Pack a picnic and once you're done exploring, stretch out on the grass. For keen walkers and hikers, the edge of the Cairngorms National Park can be reached in 17 miles, and on the way stop at Glenesk Folk Museum (12 miles). The coast is also well within reach: drive over to the village of St Cyrus (16 miles), where there is a National Nature Reserve and beach to discover. A warm and welcoming single-storey property, the decor throughout is bright and cheerful with colourful soft furnishings. The heart of the house is the lounge/diner, a sociable space for evenings spent together. Light the wood burner and cosy down onto one of the sofas, with the TV on or a good book on your knee. Enjoy meals sat round the wooden dining table, and in the summertime open the French doors to let the breeze in or simply admire Spacious Lodge for 8 in Wells-next-the-Sea. Walk through to the kitchen, where the electric oven and ceramic hob and plenty of countertop space will let you cook up a storm. On the other side of the house, across the hall from the living areas, are the two quaint bedrooms. The king-size (a zip and link which can be turned into a twin on request) comes with its own stylish en-suite with shower and WC. The twin benefits from the use of the separate family bathroom, which has a shower over bath and WC, where you can soak your cares away.