RIPPON HALL, NORFOLK (SLEEPS 22): Think of the perfect country manor – grand entrance hall, billiard room and library, winding staircases to attic bedrooms. Rippon Hall in Norfolk, with its beautiful neo-Tudor heart wrapped in a handsome Victorian upgrade, has all this and more. So says Bighouseexperience.com, which recommends this Downton Abbey-esque property for themed parties, from a murder mystery to a masquerade ball. Check-in from Friday, 29 December 2023 for four nights at £9,500, or seven nights at £11,950. Visit bighouseexperience.com/large-houses-to-rent/rippon-hall

EBRINGTON MANOR, THE COTSWOLDS: Owned by the same family since the 15th century, Ebrington Manor is hailed by Bighouseexperience.com as one of its ‘most beautiful Cotswold manor houses’. The property is set amidst the orchards of a fruit farm in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, explains the site, which calls it ‘the very essence of rural England’, adding: ‘Modern luxuries make your stay a pleasure within these ancient walls, where a hamper of local treats and cider from the farm shop awaits you.’ Check in from Friday, 29 December 2023 for five nights at £13,225 or seven nights at £18,515. Visit bighouseexperience.com/large-houses-to-rent/ebrington-manor

ROCKMOOR HOUSE, DEVON (SLEEPS 16): ‘Rockmoor House will confound your expectations of a Victorian country manor,’ says bighouseexperience.com. It continues: ‘With an early Arts and Crafts vibe, its handsome exterior hides colourful and playfully styled interiors with home comforts and grown-up luxuries. The flexible living space means all of your 16 guests can come together to play pre-midnight board games, share some festive treats and sing Auld Lang Syne.’ New Year stay: Check-in from Wednesday, 27 December 2023 for seven nights at £5,900. Visit bighouseexperience.com/large-houses-to-rent/rockmoor-house

CROFTON LODGE, THE COTSWOLDS (SLEEPS 24): This property claims to offer ‘the full package’ combining city and country, elegance and playfulness, action and relaxation. Situated on the edge of Cheltenham ‘with the Cotswolds as your playground’, the nine-bedroom ‘dream home-from-home’ has space for up to 24 guests. ‘If you’re planning a true celebration with lots of fizz and fun decorations, then this is the place for you,’ says Bighousexperience.com. Check in from Friday, 29 December 2023 for three nights at £8,450, five nights at £9,350 or seven nights at £13,200. Visit bighouseexperience.com/large-houses-to-rent/crofton-lodge

ALVINGTON LODGE, HEREFORDSHIRE (SLEEPS 20): Bighouseexperience.com says that you’ll be ‘enveloped by tranquility’ at this property, adding: ‘Glance back before you enter to the River Severn in the distance, which makes for the most idyllic view to watch the midnight fireworks.’ New Year stay: Check-in from Saturday, 30 December 2023 for seven nights at £7,500. Visit bighouseexperience.com/large-houses-to-rent/alvington-lodge

HATHERTON HOUSE, CHESHIRE (SLEEPS 15): This six-bedroom Grade II listed manor is nestled ‘in the heart of the rolling Cheshire countryside’ and has an annexe with two further bedrooms, described by Bighouseexperience.com as ‘the perfect place for the party to continue’. Check-in from Saturday, 30 December 2023 for three nights at £8,500. Visit bighouseexperience.com/large-houses-to-rent/hatherton-house

CASTLEMORTON BARNS, HERTFORDSHIRE (SLEEPS 24): ‘Immaculate interiors’ and ‘tranquil views’ are some of the phrases used by Bighousexperience.com to describe this 12-bedroom property. Set within 150 acres of ‘tranquil English countryside, it is said to be a ‘haven from a busy world’, with ‘so much space to explore and enjoy’.  The company recommends this rental particularly as ‘a great location for a few glasses of bubbly on December 31, followed by a refreshing New Year’s Day walk the next morning’. Check-in from Friday, 29 December 2023 for three nights at £8,750 or seven nights at £13,950. Visit bighouseexperience.com/large-houses-to-rent/castlemorton-barns

THREE HILLS FARM, THE COTSWOLDS (SLEEPS 14): Sitting on the edge of a ‘pretty’ village, this farmhouse ‘overlooks the gently rolling landscape of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’, says Bighouseexperience.com, adding: ‘In this rural idyll, unwind with your favourite people, enjoying the views, and dipping in and out of the sauna, steam room and gym. If you’re feeling brave, you can kick off 2024 with a cold water swim in the natural outdoor pool.’ Check-in from Wednesday, 27 December 2023 for seven nights at £10,080. Visit bighouseexperience.com/large-houses-to-rent/three-hills-farm

COLNEBROOK HALL, ESSEX (SLEEPS 16): This most gracious of Queen Anne properties has you relaxing in an instant as you wander through spacious, light-filled and colourful rooms, according to Bighouseexperience.com which says they make for ‘beautiful NYE Instagram posts’. But what to do first? The company has the answer: ‘Start the day in the breakfast room with a mimosa, flop into the plush purple sofas in the drawing room to enjoy music and games, or escape to the snug if you want a more chilled start to the New Year.’ Check in from Friday, 29 December 2023 for four nights at £6,850, five nights at £7,750 or seven nights at £9,950. Visit bighouseexperience.com/large-houses-to-rent/colnebrook-hall