1. The Mistley Thorn, High Street, Mistley, Manningtree, Essex

This Georgian pub stands on the high street and dates back to 1746, but inside you find a fresh contemporary feel that will tickle your pleasure receptors. The mood is laid-back with a great little bar, an excellent restaurant and bedrooms that pack an understated punch - smartly dressed beds, power showers above double-ended baths, those at the front have fine views of the Stour estuary. You'll probably fancy a walk along its banks on New Year's Day after some serious feasting the night before - seared diver scallops, Mistley Thorn bouillabaisse and pistachio semifreddo with honey roasted pears are on the menu.

· Doubles from £130 including breakfast of Buck's Fizz and Eggs Benedict. Four-course dinner with canapés and a glass of champagne £49.95 per person. +44 (0)1206 392821; www.mistleythorn.co.uk

2. The Queen's Head, 2 Long Street, Belton, Loughborough, Leicestershire

This old village pub now sparkles in contemporary splendour, and at the bar the art of mixing cocktails is practised with flair - come for a Manhattan or a martini. But there's more than just a cool interior here; ales from a local microbrewery satisfy the cravings of die-hard traditionalists, while walls of wine rise in the airy bistro, making this a very inclusive watering hole. All this draws a devoted crowd: for jazz nights, wine tastings, and delicious food. Join in the fun at New Year when the party kicks off with a champagne reception, five-course dinner with half a bottle of wine each, a traditional "Highland" ode to a haggis, then dancing into the small hours.

· £100 per person for a night's stay with breakfast, reception, dinner, dancing and even a glass of fizz on reception when you arrive. +44 (0)1530 222359; www.thequeenshead.org

3. The Inn at Grinshill, High Street, Grinshill, Shrewsbury, Shropshire

A ridge of pine soars high above the village; bring the boots and take to Shropshire's wild, wonderful hills. Down at the inn, nothing but good things; this is a wonderfully welcoming bolthole, a top-to-toe renovation which now shines. Wander at will and you find an 18th-century panelled family room with rugs and games, a 19th-century bar with quarry-tiled floors and a crackling fire. Bedrooms upstairs are just as pleasing, with good beds, piles of pillows, crisp white linen and wispy mohair blankets or shiny quilted eiderdowns – double ended baths too. No live entertainment but a New Year's Eve special menu and a great house party atmosphere that will leave happy guests wanting for nothing.

· Doubles are the usual price of £120 including breakfast. New Year's dinner £35 per person. +44 (0)1939 220410; www.theinnatgrinshill.co.uk

4. Farmer's Inn, Higher West Hatch, Taunton, Somerset

You don't often trek into deepest Somerset and wash up at a deeply groovy inn, but that's what you get at the Farmer's, so brave the narrow country lanes and head to the top of the hill for colour and comfort in equal measure. All the country treats are on hand. Outside, cows in the fields, cockerels crowing and long clean views; inside, friendly natives, open fires and a timber-framed bar. Bedrooms are the best, some big, some huge. They come with off-white walls, seagrass mats on shiny wooden floors, cast-iron beds, power showers or claw-foot baths. On New Year's Eve, there will be a special menu and live folk music from the local Sedgemoor Mountain String Band strumming up a storm on tea chest basses and banjos.

· Doubles from £125 with breakfast. Dinner £48 per person. +44 (0)1823 480480; www.farmersinnwesthatch.co.uk

5. The Bath Arms, Horningsham, Warminster, Wiltshire

A 17th-century coaching inn on the Longleat estate in a gorgeous village lost in the country; geese swim in the river, cows laze in the fields and lush woodland wraps around you. The feel is smart and airy, with a skittle alley that doubles as a sitting room (they show movies here too) and shimmering Cole & Son wallpaper in the dining room. Bedrooms are a real treat, some in the main house, others in a converted barn. Expect lots of colour, big wallpaper and beds dressed in Eygyptian cotton. Longleat is at the bottom of the hill – and you can have a roaring time yourself on New Year's Eve at their 1920's marquee party – dinner, dancing, champagne reception and party novelties.

· Doubles from £120 with breakfast. Dinner £70 per person. +44 (0)1985 844308; www.batharms.co.uk

6. The Royal Forester Country Inn, Callow Hill, Rock, Kidderminster, Worcestershire

The Wyre Forest starts across the road. There are thousands of acres to explore, on foot, on bike, even on horseback; the inn has two stables. As for the inn, it looms on the side of the road without attracting much attention, but for those who stop, there's a treat in store. It goes back to 1411, but despite its flagged floors, timber-framed walls and low-beamed ceilings, the feel is distinctly contemporary with an open-plan flow. Upstairs, smart bedrooms and excellent slate bathrooms with coloured glass sinks. Scrub up on New Year's Eve then don your fancy dress (heroes and villains) and get ready for a full-on party and five-course dinner. For those that can manage it, there's a forest bike ride the next day at 9am – breakfast when you get back and complimentary bike hire.

· Doubles from £99 and £70 per person for the party which includes the dinner, charity casino, fireworks and dancing to a live band. +44 (0)1299 266286; www.royalforesterinn.co.uk

7. Westcote Inn, Nether Westcote, Chipping Norton, Gloucestershire

The village is tiny, the view is fantastic, the bar is lively, the rooms are a treat. This 300-year-old malt house recently had a face lift and now looks rather good for its age. Interiors mix all the old originals – stone walls, timber frames, beamed ceilings, open fires – with a cool contemporary style. Bedrooms upstairs are lovely. One is enormous, two have great views. Back downstairs, a varied crowd gathers for the New Year's Eve party and buffet where £25 per person will snag you a plate-full of the best local produce and a glass of champagne while the juke box plays old faves.

· Doubles from £85 and party £25 per person. +44 (0)1993 830888; www.westcoteinn.co.uk

Gin Trap Inn, 6 High Street, Ringstead, Hunstanton, Norfolk

An actor and a lawyer run this old English Inn. Steve and Cindy left London for the quiet life and haven't stopped since, adding a conservatory dining room at the back and giving the garden a haircut. A smart whitewashed exterior gives way to a beamed locals' bar with a crackling fire and the original dining room. Upstairs, you find three delightful bedrooms in smart country style. Ringstead - a pretty village lost in the country - is two miles inland from the coastal road, thus peaceful at night. Fabulous beaches will beckon for long, windswept New Year's Day hikes. Walk off the previous evening's excesses – food is seriously good and they have two menus including a vegetarian one which may even tempt the most ardent carnivore.

Doubles from £100 – dinner £75 per person or £60 for the vegetarian menu. +44 (0)1485 525264; www.gintrapinn.co.uk

9. The Highway Inn, 117 High Street, Burford, Oxfordshire

This lovely inn comes complete with a small medieval courtyard and carved stone entrance that leads into rather lovely interiors where all the architectural gems are on hand: mind-your-head beams, horse hair walls, ancient flagging, mellow golden stone. With cider flagons, riding boots and vintage luggage, the warmly traditional mood is the perfect setting for your New Year's Eve bash. Dust off your best Black Tie and prepare to mingle with the locals; you won't be short of a friendly face to raise a glass with.

· Doubles from £140 per night (with a minimum two-night stay). New Year's Eve dinner £55.00 per person. +44 (0)1993 823661; www.thehighwayinn.co.uk

Three Horseshoes Inn, Horseshoe Road, Radnage, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire

London may only be an hour's drive, but you'll think you've washed up in the 1960s. Red kites circle a bowl of deep countryside, smoke curls from cottages that hug the hill. As for the Three Horseshoes, you find flagstones and an open fire in the tiny locals' bar, exposed timbers and pine settles in the airy restaurant. Simon, chef turned patron, has cooked in The Connaught, Chez Nico, Le Gavroche – all the best places – and your New Year's Eve dinner will be a treat. Overnight guests have a private entrance and super-smart rooms in which to prepare for the night's excitement.

· Doubles from £230 including New Year's Eve dinner. Dinner only £65. +44 (0)1494 483273; www.thethreehorseshoes.net