Christmas and New Year in the Lake District and Cumbria is a magical time. With snow-peaked mountains and the peaceful serenity of the lakes, the landscape takes on a spectacular beauty in winter.

Whether you are planning a large office party or a smaller gathering to thank your employees for all their hard work in 2017, there are many different venues to choose from with menus to suit different budgets. Remember to book your place early to ensure you celebrate the festive season with a bang. Many places get booked up early and if you don’t act quickly, you may not be able to get in on the date you have planned.

Many larger hotels offer something a bit different such as a medieval banquet, themed disco, a local live band, cabaret or a casino night.

Get into the festive spirit and book festive celebrations for your staff and prepare to experience the magical winter landscape, great food, and many Christmas and New Year celebrations that the area has to offer.

The Lake District is well known for the quality of the food available, with so many top award-winning restaurants, most of which source seasonal ingredients locally produced, nurtured and grown here in Cumbria. What better way to make your Christmas and New Year break special than to book into one of the excellent eateries in the area.

The Lake District, Lunes and Dales areas have so much to offer the food lover this Christmas, with a wealth of quality traditional pubs and cafes to choose from across the region. From Michelin starred fine dining, to a hearty homemade pub meal with a pint of high-quality local ale, the variety is exceptional.

Sample the best of Cumbrian produce by visiting one of the farmer's markets or food festivals taking place this season and remember to visit some of the many purveyors of high quality artisan food and drink - including local gingerbread, artisan bread, exciting local beers, wines and spirits and homemade chocolates, not to mention Cartmel’s famous sticky toffee pudding!

One of the most recent trends is in the rise of cocktail bars and places offering unusual cocktails and a whole array of festive gins, vodkas, martinis and other liqueurs and imaginative festive concoctions.

Choosing the venue for your annual Christmas gathering for staff or for a group of friends and family is always fun in the Lake District and there are lots of hotels and restaurants offering new and imaginative menus that work for daytime and evening parties.

For those spending Christmas in the Lake District or looking for a great night out, English Lakes Hotels offer live entertainment, delicious food and festive treats at their different hotels in the Lake District, Lancaster and Morecambe. The Midland Hotel in Morecambe is the perfect place to hold a vintage-style party with its iconic 1920s Art Deco interiors, or you could choose a more traditional country setting at the four-star Wild Boar Inn, Grill & Smokehouse near Bowness. Situated next to secluded woodland, this beautiful inn is extra cosy at Christmas with its decorations, low oak beams and log fires. The hotel has its own smokehouse, which supplies the restaurant with meats, cheeses and fish and offers food smoking courses. It holds a whisky club on the second Tuesday of every month, with a range of around 130 different fine brands on offer.

The hotel also has an on-site microbrewery, the Brewhouse, where guests can experience real ale fermenting sessions under the expert guidance of a master brewer. Guests can also try clay pigeon shooting and archery in the hotel’s private woodland.

The four-star Waterhead boutique hotel at Ambleside is decorated beautifully for the festive season. Their Gin & Tonic Afternoon Tea, comprises a delicious selection of sandwiches, cakes and scones, served on a 3 tier stand, with a Gin and Tonic infused twist. For an evening party the Waterhead offers the perfect setting for sophisticated festive celebrations including a three course menu and dancing the night away to the tunes of the resident DJ. For further information, visit: englishlakes.co.uk