Family Christmas break ideas for 2006

Fresh air and festivities in the Lakes

If you crave peace, amazing scenery and a country cottage with log-burning fires to curl up by, the Lake District ticks all the right boxes. There is no need to worry about the children getting bored either. They will be too busy meeting Santa, making decorations, going on boat trips, watching parades, trying fresh local foods, walking in the hills, shouting 'he's behind you' at the pantomime and playing in the snow.

Where to stay
Burnside Park is a collection of 14 attractive cottages and apartments within strolling distance of Lake Windermere.

The self-catering units, sleeping 2 to 6, come fully equipped, so you can leave the towels at home. Bring basic foodstuffs and anything the kids cannot live without. Otherwise, there are fabulous food shops and farmers markets selling local specialties, such as Cumberland sausages and sticky toffee pudding, nearby. Weekly rentals start at £650.

Get more information about Burnside Park and hundreds of other family-friendly cottages, hotels and B&Bs from the Cumbrian tourist board. Cumbrian Cottages also has a good range of properties throughout the Lake District, with availability over the Christmas holidays.
For details:
Cumbrian tourist board www.golakes.co.uk
Cumbrian Cottages www.cumbrian-cottages.co.uk

Things to do around and about
Visit the birthplace of Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddleduck and Tom Kitten at the World of Beatrix Potter, a popular attraction for younger children. Among the sights inspired by the books are Peter's garden, Jemima's woodland glade and Mr McGregor's greenhouse.

A recent visitor was Renee Zellweger, who plays Potter in the film about the author's life, coming out early in 2007. Older kids will find more to amuse them at the Aquarium of the Lakes, where as well as seeing otters, sharks and diving ducks, they can decorate a bauble to add to the centre's 'Fish-mas' tree.

Avoid the washing up and soak up the scenery of Lake Windermere at the same time with Christmas lunch on a traditional lake steamer, with a jazz band providing the musical entertainment. Or opt for one of the shorter Santa Special Cruises (9-10 December & 16-17 December). England's first narrow-gauge railway, the Ravenglass and Eskdale in the northern Lakes, runs Santa Experience at weekends in December (up to 23 December). Parents get to enjoy the scenery and the romance of steam, while the children visit Father Christmas's grotto and unwrap a special present from him.

Closer to Lake Windermere is another heritage line, the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway. Their Santa Specials run three times a day on December weekends (up to 17 December), with Christmas carols, elves and personalised presents and a visit from Santa to keep everyone entertained.
For details:
World of Beatrix Potter www.hop-skip-jump.com
Aquarium of the Lakes www.aquariumofthelakes.co.uk
Windermere Lake Cruises www.windermere-lakecruises.co.uk
Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway www.ravenglass-railway.co.uk
Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway www.lakesiderailway.co.uk