Standing alone at the end of a lane bordering farmland and a footpath down to a sandy cove, the cliff-top Atlantic Heights offers sweeping views of the ocean and makes a great base for walks. St Ives, home to the Tate St Ives and the Barbara Hepworth museum plus numerous other galleries, cafes and restaurants, is eight miles away. Photograph: PR
If you want to see in 2012 with a big, posh knees up, and have the budget for it, Assynt House makes a suitably grand setting. Dating back to the 1700s, the house stands in splendid isoltation, overlooking the Black Isle and the Cromarty Firth - and is 30 minutes from Inverness airport. Photograph: PR
In the heart of beautiful Swaledale, North Yorkshire, this converted 18th-century, er, barn, has a lovely galleried seating area that is flooded with light on crisp winter days. Photograph: PR
This hideaway for two is tucked away in ancient woodland a riverside stroll from pubs and tea shops in the New Forest village of Beaulieu. Photograph: PR
This manor house dating from 1668 is brilliant for parties of friends and families, combining historic character with contemporary comforts. Lord it up on New Year’s Eve with cocktails in the conservatory. Play it down on New Year’s Day with a choice of 16 walks from the doorstep into the Peak District national park. It has six bedrooms, six bath/cloakrooms and sleeps 14. A New Year four-night break costs £2,985 (01629 734 414, eltonoldhall.co.uk). Photograph: PR
Imagine the perfect country cottage and it probably looks something like this - a cute little thatched hideaway, with a lovely garden that overlooks the Lew valley. Photograph: PR
The historic Old Tavistock Railway Station in Devon has been transformed into three cottages: the Ticketing Hall, Refreshment Hall and the Porter's Office. Each is furnished in a different style with a mix of contemporary and antique furnishing and works of art. Photograph: PR
A penthouse flat sleeping six (two on a sofa bed) in this listed mill building on the banks of the Dart offers views of the river and of steam trains on the South Devon Railway. Photograph: PR
A stone house set at the foot of Hay Bluff in the Black Mountains, Cae Marchog is ideal for a group of walkers. The incredible Gospel Pass is on the doorstep allowing direct routes into the Llanthony Valley, Offa’s Dyke Path, the National Cycle Route 42. You also have access to brilliant mountain biking routes. At the end of a bracing day in the hills, soothe aching limbs and soak up those views from the hot tub. While it looks remote, the house is only five miles from Hay on Wye. Photograph: PR
A sweet, wood-clad cottage in this popular seaside town, Mariner’s is a great little base for a family, or couple who want to hole up by the sea for a week - think atmospheric big skies and grey seas. Photograph: PR
One property was removed from this gallery on 24 November 2011 Photograph: PR
