5K Santa Run

Stowe Gardens hosts its 5K Santa Run on Sunday 6 December, with the start at 09:00 and registration open from 8am. The premise is straightforward: you dress up as Santa and run or walk the 5K route around the gardens. It's a run, but walking is just as much a part of it, so you can set your own pace.

It's run by the National Trust, and the entry fees go towards conservation work at Stowe. That entry also gets you all-day access to the gardens, so you're not just there for the run itself. If you're bringing the family, dogs on leads are welcome, and children under 16 need to be accompanied by an adult. One thing to keep in mind is that while the property is accessible, parts of the running route can be uneven under foot and aren't suitable for wheelchair users.

Stowe keeps a steady calendar of seasonal events throughout the year. There's the free Trust 10K run on the fourth Sunday of the month, a Winter Wassail, and a Winter Open Day with free entry, so this fits into a wider winter programme rather than standing on its own. The 5K Santa Run is the festive one, with the fancy dress as the main draw.

To recap: it's on Sunday 6 December at Stowe Gardens, MK18 5EQ, starting at 09:00 with registration from 8am. Entry is free to attend, and the fees you pay go to conservation at Stowe and include all-day access to the gardens.