The National Trust is a major landholder in Cumbria and looks after many of its historic properties. Here is its top five ideas for festive days out

Home from home at Allan Bank:

Escape the hustle and bustle of a modern Christmas and head to Allan Bank for a homespun festive day. Carols, wreath workshops, paint a Christmas card or just simply cosy up by the fire with a hot punch after a stroll through the woodland (furry friends welcome inside too).

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/allan-bank-and-grasmere/ Tel: 015394 35143 Open Friday-Sunday in December.

A relaxed Christmas in Langdale:

Think long walks, open log fires, real ale and hearty food shared with friends and family at Sticklebarn, the only National Trust-run pub in the country.

If you’re heading out into the hills you can fill your flask with us beforehand and pick up a slab of Christmas cake – it really is the best fuel to see you through to the top of that hill. Then round off your day with a mulled cider and a blanket around the fire pit.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sticklebarn-and-the-langdales Tel: 015394 37356 Open daily 11am - late.

Shop, eat and meet Father Christmas at Sizergh:

We’ve the perfect start to the Christmas season at Sizergh. Book your first Christmas meal with friends and family – there’s a choice of traditional roast turkey, slow cooked beef or leek, Garstang blue cheese and walnut tart.

There’s plenty to browse in the shop to pick up some gifts away from the crowds.

If you want to get hands-on, join us to make a wreath or cake decorate with our award-winning baker. Father Christmas will also be paying the little ones a visit.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sizergh Tel: 015395 60951 Open daily 10am-4pm. Booking is essential for a meal.

Views of the Lakeland fells while shopping:

Imagine if the experience of Christmas shopping included bird song echoing off bare tree branches, mist rising off the lake and a view of Lakeland fells dusted with snow? These are all available at our Keswick Lakeside shop on the edge of Derwent Water, just five minutes’ walk from the crowds in Keswick’s bustling market square.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/borrowdale-and-derwent-water/ Open Saturday-Sunday in December except Christmas Eve.

A gift experience:

Treat a loved one to a a special day on Steam Yacht Gondola with one of our four gift experiences - picnic cruise, afternoon tea cruise, steam and cream cruise, or the ultimate Gondola experience of being an engineer for the day. Book online at https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/steam-The National Trust is a major landholder in Cumbria and looks after many of its historic properties. Here is its top five ideas for festive days outyacht-gondola