What to buy gran for Christmas? How about a two-day break in the Lake District combined with a crossword-cracking course? Tim Moorey, who sets crosswords for national papers, will give an after-dinner talk and there will be workshops on clue solving techniques at Linthwaite House (01539 488600; linthwaite.com), which overlooks Windermere and has an AA rosette for cuisine. The course runs on 2-3 February for £99 a night, including meals.