For a touch of festive merriment, nothing quite compares to gazing upon snow-dusted, majestic mountains encircling glacial ribbon lakes, before a wander around quaint villages filled with stone cottages and cosy pubs. However, we’re not talking about the Christmassy atmosphere of the French Alps, but rather a picturesque UK destination.

Each year, hundreds of Brits jet off abroad for a festive winter getaway, hoping to experience the magical charm of a White Christmas while visiting one of the popular European Christmas markets, including those in France. While these getaways are enchanting in their own right, they can be expensive.

As an alternative and breathtaking winter staycation, the Lake District, nestled in the North West of England, clearly rivals the French Alps. The largest national park in England offers easy and affordable travel, with visitors able to catch a direct train from London Euston to the Oxenholme Lake District Railway Station in just a few hours.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site is known for its mesmerising landscape views stretching across 36 miles, dramatic mountain backdrops and mirrored valleys carved by glaciers. A walk or hike around these awe-inspiring landscapes is enough to take your breath away, and a glorious way to soak up the festive feeling with a high chance of snowfall in the region.

It frequently snows in the Lake District, so as temperatures continue to drop, the chances of experiencing that White Christmas setting, or even a glimpse during the festive season, are highly likely. But even if snow fails to completely engulf the area, Scafell Pike, the highest point, standing at 978 metres, will undoubtedly receive that picture-postcard dusting at its peak.

What’s more, there’s a catalogue of Christmas markets taking place just outside the Lake District, so you can find jollity in whatever area you’re exploring. Some of these include Carlisle Christmas Market, Rosehill’s Festive Market in Whitehaven and Yew Tree Barn Christmas Festival Market in Cartmel.

Aside from the festive celebrations and spectacular scenery to explore during a lengthy hike or brisk walk, there are plenty of things to do. Visitors can book themselves onto a lake boat or ferry trip to admire the dramatic mountain peaks from below, or bundle up to go kayaking, canoeing, or paddleboarding. on the pristine waters.

Alternatively, take a steam train journey on the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway or the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway to admire the views. But if you’re embracing the outdoors, there are plenty of warming pubs with roaring fires to enjoy a mulled wine, a refreshing beer or a traditional pub meal.

Additionally, there are further eateries scattered around the Lake District, so you’ll never be short of tasty dishes, including at the Porto Restaurant in Windermere or at The Schelly in Ambleside. The charming villages are not to be missed, with the likes of Keswick, Grasmere, Ambleside, and Bowness-on-Windermere all nestled in the Lake District.

Grasmere is renowned for its gingerbread and its connection to the English poet William Wordsworth, while The World of Beatrix Potter can be found in Windermere. Near Sawrey in Ambleside is also home to Hill Top House, where the creator and writer of Peter Rabbit, Beatrix Potter, lived and is said to have taken inspiration for her books.