West Country cottage specialist Helpful Holidays' new 2015 brochure features nearly 600 places to stay with a marked increase in properties across Torbay, Dartmoor, South Cornwall and Somerset. Ranging from romantic retreats for two up to big country houses sleeping a maximum of 47 guests, most have stunning views out to sea or across lush countryside; prices range from £175 up to £7,000 for a week's stay. 

Below is a selection of some of the best: 

Torbay, South Devon

Near the old coaching town of Chudleigh and around eight miles from the coast at Dawlish is The Barn, a smart and spacious conversion sleeping six with an upside-down layout to make the most of the superb country views. Inside it features stylish contemporary décor and furnishings, limestone-tiled floors with rugs and big apex beams, while outside there are sitting-out spaces to the front and back. This is a peaceful, rural location within easy reach of Exeter, the coast and Dartmoor. Given a top 5 star rating, a week's stay costs from £364 or £61 per person, (details can be found on page 160 of the 2015 brochure, ref B17).

Rurally located on the edge of Blagdon, a mile from Collaton St Mary, are two lovely cottages Oak and Ash, both sleeping four, with shared use of an outdoor solar heated swimming pool (May to September), terrace and sauna. Perfect for a family holiday where adults can relax and children can run and splash about in the pool, these two near-identical cottages are next door each other, also convenient for two families planning a holiday together. Given a 4 star rating, a week's stay costs from £356 or £89 per person, (details can be found on page 156 of the 2015 brochure, refs C18 and C19).

Dartmoor National Park, Devon

There are several lovely new places to stay in Dartmoor National Park such as Cullaford Cottage, which was once the home of author Mary Wesley. Set in the tiny hamlet of Combe, near Scorriton on Dartmoor's wooded southern slopes, the stunning detached thatched cottage, which sleeps four, is still a haven from the rush of the modern world. Behind the cottage is an enclosed lawned garden, while across the little used single-track lane, there's a small enclosed orchard and, beyond, a bluebell wood with the river Mardie running along one side. Inside it's elegantly furnished with stone and wood floors and original art. Step up from the garden into the kitchen/dining room, a magnificent oak-framed extension; eight shallow steps lead down to two living rooms, both with woodburners. Upstairs two bedrooms with their own facilities, an airy double with pitched ceiling and views over the garden and a twin tucked under the eaves. Pets welcome. Given a 5 star rating, a week's stay costs from £402 or £100 per person, (details can be found on page 103 of the 2015 brochure, ref A213).

South Cornwall

Amongst the many new places to stay in Cornwall is Hedgerows, an imposing custom-built detached house for 12 with stunning sea views and interiors on the south coast at Maenporth, near Mawnan Smith and Falmouth. Set opposite the spectacular sandy, cove beach, this magnificent house has a vast 60 x 40 foot L-shaped living/dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows and a splendid central glass-encased woodburner, piano and half-sized snooker table. There are five, generously sized ensuite bedrooms above, two with their own sea-view balconies. Hedgerows is surrounded by an acre of enclosed garden on various levels with a large balcony, terrace, outdoor heated pool (May - September) and a big grassed area with plenty of space for energetic ball games. Given a top 5 star rating, a week's stay costs from £1,546 or £129 per person, (details can be found on page 50 of the 2015 brochure, ref S67).

Another stunning new place to stay in Cornwall is Dozmary Pool Barn, which sleeps six and welcomes pets. As the name suggests this modern detached house is set peacefully beside Dozmary Pool Lake on Bodmin Moor; an area steeped in the legend of King Arthur and his sword Excalibur. It's now a Site of Special Scientific Interest with fishing and kayaking on the lake as well as wildlife watching and stunning night skies. Jamaica Inn, made famous by Daphne du Maurier's tale of smugglers, is about 1.5 miles. Surrounded by a walled garden, the house has an open plan living/dining kitchen area and lovely lake views from some of the rooms. Given a 4 star rating, a week's stay costs from £315 or £53 per person, (details can be found on page 70 of the 2015 brochure, ref R110).

On the western bank of the river Fowey in the small village of Golant, south Cornwall is Island House, which sleeps six and welcomes pets. Nearby is Daphne du Maurier's former home, Menabilly, which was an inspiration for Manderley in her novel Rebecca. The cottage has lovely watery views from every window as well as its pretty enclosed garden and sun terrace. Its front door opens into a bright spacious kitchen/dining room with a step leading down to the large beamed living room; two stair cases lead-up to the three bedrooms above. Given a 4 star rating, a week's stay costs from £435 or £73 per person, (details can be found on page 58 of the 2015 brochure, ref S65).

Somerset

On the northern slopes of the Mendip Hills at the edge of Chilcompton village, with lovely long rural views, is single-storey Magnolia Cottage. Sleeping four this charming cottage was formerly stables to the old parsonage; now light, stylish and smartly refurbished it's a peaceful base from which to explore Wells, Bath and Glastonbury. There's a small sitting-out area to the front and a shared lawned garden across the drive bounded by fields. Pets welcome. Given a 4 star rating, a week's stay costs from £305 or £76 per person, (details can be found on page 212 of the 2015 brochure, ref E27).

Helpful Holidays topped the Which? Travel recommended provider poll for the third year running in 2014 and won Gold at the national 2013 British Travel Awards. The agency has again been nominated for the BTAs for 2014. The agency is a Gold Trusted Merchant by Feefo and won The Sunday Times travel editor's choice award at the Times and Sunday Times Travel Awards in 2013.

For a free copy of Helpful Holidays' 2015 brochure call 01647 434063, email help@helpfulholidays.com or order online at www.helpfulholidays.com. Every holiday home in the brochure, plus a selection of online-only properties, are featured on the website. The agency's charity for 2015 will be Farms for City Children; in 2014 they raised over £12,000 for the Marine Conservation Society. Helpful Holidays can be followed on Twitter @helpfulholidays, Facebook and Pinterest.

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