Go tropical in the Lake District this Christmas

Escape the chilly, frosty weather this Christmas by heading to the Southern Lake District, where a totally tropical experience awaits. On December 20, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29 and 30, families can set sail with Jim Hawkins and Long John Silver, if they visit special Treasure Island performances at the World of Beatrix Potter, in Bowness-on-Windermere.

A world of pirates, doubloons and battles, conveyed through music, song and clever script-writing will be unveiled before the eyes of children and adults alike, in this piratical performance.

Tickets cost £12 for adults, or £10 for children and performances take place at 7.30 pm on all days except December 28, when the cast will be giving a 3pm performance.

The World of Beatrix Potter is also open over Christmas, apart from on Christmas Day, from 10-4.30pm, for families wishing to explore the exquisite world of this renowned author’s children’s books. Tickets to enable children to learn more about Peter Rabbit, Mrs Tiggy-Winkle and Jemima Puddle-Duck, as well as many other delightful characters, cost £6 for adults and £3 for children.

For more details, visit hop-skip-jump.com.

A few miles away, at the Lakes Aquarium, at Lakeside, Christmas can be enjoyed in continents around the world and even in a tropical rainforest! If there’s one thing to take the mind off reindeer and polar bears, it’s piranha, cute baby marmosets, bird-eating spiders and cute Asian otters, all of which can be seen at the Aquarium.

Home to all types of creature, as well as exciting fish such as fearsome pike, curious Blind Cave Fish and quirky Mudskippers, the Lakes Aquarium is a mine of information about lakes around the world and the creatures calling them home.

Added treats include otter feeding and talk sessions at 10.30 am and 3pm, other informative talks about fish, mammals and reptiles within the attraction and the chance to explore the floor of an African lake, thanks to the exciting Virtual Dive Bell.

The Lakes Aquarium is open every day bar Christmas Day. Opening hours are 9am to 4pm most days, except Boxing Day and New Year’s Day (10am-5pm) and Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve (9am-4pm). Last admission is one hour before closing.

Admission costs £8.35 for adults and £5.40 for children aged 3-15. Under 3s enter free of charge and pensioners admission costs £6.85. A two adult/two child ticket costs £24.50, with other family ticket options available. Online purchase, at lakesaquarium.co.uk provides a discount of 10 per cent or more.

To warm up properly in the Lake District, why not stay over. Couples can enjoy a very cosy stay at The Hideaway, in Windermere (thehideawayatwindermere.co.uk) whilst families can find many accommodation options at golakes.co.uk.