Bordeaux’s free holiday cabins: basic but still beautiful

Dotted around Bordeaux, Les Refuges Périurbains are architect-designed shelters that cost nothing to stay in – though don’t expect hot tubs or minibars

Six amazing places to stay for free around the world – if you volunteer

At Helga’s Folly, a boutique hotel in historic Kandy, central Sri Lanka, amateur artists add to the distinctive murals – and get free bed and board via the Workaway website. Plus: 5 more places where skills can be swapped for stays