A pick of the best Winter Wonderlands

• Dunham Massey, Cheshire

  The largest winter garden in the UK. The seven-acre site is home to over 700 different plant species and a further 1,600 shrubs, providing plenty of distractions from the cold.

• Anglesey Abbey, Garden and Lode Mill, Cambridgeshire

  Contains plenty of scenic delights, with statues and columns scattered across the atmospheric grounds. The winter garden contains over 150 species of plants.

• Mottisfont, Hampshire

  Contains the National Trust’s newest winter garden, exploring the potential of plants that are at their most beautiful and interesting when other plants are in hibernation. It combines a number of unusual plants, but also some familiar species for visitors to view in a new light.

• Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, Yorkshire

  Magnificent 12th-Century abbey ruins combine with beautiful landscaped Georgian water gardens at this breathtaking World Heritage Site, which also boasts its own medieval deer park.

  Make a weekend of it: Picture-perfect abbey ruins, a Georgian water garden and a medieval deer park all make Fountains Abbey the ideal location for a winter getaway. With eleven holiday cottages on offer, including apartments in the luxurious Fountains Hall and five cottages converted from a group of eighteenth century farm buildings, there’s something for everyone.

• Stowe, Buckinghamshire

  Originally designed as a tourist destination, Stowe’s temples, lakes and monuments remain as fascinating as ever through the seasons. The newly restored coaching inn is the perfect place to enjoy a winter warmer, from hot drinks to soups and main courses.

• Stourhead, Wiltshire

  There is plenty of fresh winter air on offer in the surroundings of this world-famous landscape garden, where a magnificent lake reflects classic temples, mystical grottos and swathes of surrounding trees.

  Make a weekend of it at 89 Church Lawn: Set at the entrance to the magical landscape garden, this pretty stone cottage is the perfect country hideaway. Famous for its spectacular autumn colours stay at this cottage and enjoy bracing walks around the ornamental lake before the crowds. Sleeps seven.

• Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire

  This former Ducal park is open all year and home to nearly 4000 acres of parkland and gardens, peaceful woodlands and open spaces to explore on foot or by bike.

• Dinefwr Park and Castle, Carmarthenshire

  From the ruined castle to deer park and woodland, there is plenty to discover in this iconic part of the Wales countryside. Visitors can enjoy walks, spot nature or simply take in the sights before warming up with fine local fare in the tea room.

• Castle Ward, County Down

  Overlooking Strangford Lough, this eccentric country home has plenty of room for recreation in the winter months, with miles of trails through woodlands and along the lough shore.

  Make a weekend of it at Downpatrick Gate Lodge: At the woodland entrance to Castle Ward, this lodge was built in the 1870s for Lord Bangor. Located on the edge of Castle Ward estate there are great walks from the door and two wood burning stoves to keep things cosy when you return. Dog friendly it sleeps four.

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See also:

• Breathtaking images from the world's 'frozen planets'
• 9 top winter sun destinations