Dog-friendly Cumbria

Prominently looking over the village green, and within touching distance of the Skiddaw massif, this link detached property is in the perfect location to explore the north western fells of the Lake District. Located in the heart of the village, with the village farm adjacent, the property offers access onto miles of quiet footpaths and local fells including little-known routes up Skiddaw and the back of the Blencathra massif. The beautiful beck, with its resident ducks, flows through the village and provides a great place for kids and dogs to cool off on warm days. The property is also only a few miles away from the historic market towns of Keswick and Cockermouth, which can both be easily accessed by bus, and offer a variety of shops, pubs and restaurants.
Lealholme provides spacious and comfortable, single-storey accommodation, and has the added benefit of level access and wide doors. Tastefully decorated throughout, and with an enclosed garden, with double wrought iron gates, which provides parking and makes the perfect sun trap to sit and relax, perhaps whilst enjoying a purchase from the Lakes Distillery just down the road! The well-equipped, contemporary kitchen has slate tiled floors, Denby crockery, quality cutlery and utensils and an alcove, complete with a large electric range cooker. This fully central heated home from home, offers a large comfortable living/dining room with original pitch pine panelling, stone mullioned and sash windows offers a cosy and welcoming environment, complete with a wood burner. Lealholme also boasts a large walk-in shower with a Softstone base and a double shower head.
The village is situated in the north of the Lake District National Park, and is also just a short drive to Carlisle and the Scottish borders - it couldn’t be easier to explore the area. Bassenthwaite is a real community village which hosts an annual duck race, frequent pub quizzes and a vibrant, active local church arranging village fates, sports days and even Morris dancing. This beautiful cottage is just over a mile away from Bassenthwaite Lake, where fishing and sailing are available, or for nature lovers a walk up to the osprey viewpoints is well worth the effort. The property is ideally located for cyclists, with rides including the C2C and Cumbria Way routes, along with off-road trails at nearby Whinlatter Forest. However you choose to spend your stay, this is a perfect location to make the most of the Lake District. There is a dog-friendly, village pub serving food, just a short walk away, whilst Armathwaite Hall hotel and spa, Ravenstone lodge and Castle Inn all provide alternatives within 2 miles. Beach 18 miles. Shop ½ mile (seasonal) or 7 miles (open all year), pub 200 yards, restaurant 1¾ miles.

Barton Hall Farm can be found just outside Pooley Bridge, the village at the outfall of Lake Ullswater. Set in the countryside on a traditional working farm, this area offers some of the most wonderful landscapes in the region from the privacy of a secluded rural setting. It is minutes from Lake Ullswater, with its walking, water sports and ponderous steamers making their regal-like journeys up and down the lake in the shadow of the majestic fells. This area offers many forms of recreation, whatever season you choose to visit. All three cottages have been tastefully converted from original old stone farm buildings; and wherever possible the original features have been retained. Old pitch pine beams stretch unhindered through bedrooms and across stairways and the local slate and sandstone are in evidence throughout. Guests are welcomed with fresh flowers, along with well furnished comfortable holiday accommodation, wood-burning stoves and well-equipped kitchens. For good walking, fells nearby include High Street range, 1 mile, and Helvellyn, 10 miles. The market town of Penrith, 5 miles; whilst the attractions of Keswick are 14 miles. Shops, pubs and restaurants ½ mile.

Set in 18 acres of beautiful natural grounds and woodland, this charming wooden holiday lodge has its own private outdoor space along with shared use of an indoor heated plunge pool, sauna, Jacuzzi and table tennis table. Extended and refurbished in 2021, there is a double bedroom, a twin bedroom, a new kitchen, and a large veranda with seating and an external heater.
Right on the doorstep of the magnificent Langdales, 2½ miles from Ambleside and 8 miles from Coniston. It is a perfect base for touring and exploring the footpaths in the area with numerous woodland and hill walks straight from the door. Great for wildlife lovers, with deer and other animals freely wandering through this small, select woodland retreat. The Lake District Visitor Centre near Windermere is worth a visit (activities include high ropes, horse riding etc), as is the nearby water sports centre on Windermere. Pub and restaurant ¼ mile.

Featuring beams taken from shipwrecks on the Cumbrian Coast, this small group of holiday cottages at Birkerthwaite, a former 17th century Lakeland farmstead, lie at the end of an unmade track and are surrounded by tranquil moorland scenery and farmland. This is fantastic walking countryside and the elevated position gives views of Scafell and the Eskdale Valley, creating a unique atmosphere of tranquillity. Birkerthwaite Farmhouse (W43001) is a unique holiday property dating back to 1627 and has many original features, beamed ceilings, flagged floors and unusual oak wall cupboards built in the 1700’s. Comfortably furnished and with the benefit of an open fire and an Aga, the farmhouse is cosy and welcoming.
Nearby attractions include Muncaster Castle and Hardknott Roman Fort, whilst the Langdale Pikes and Ambleside on the northern shores of Lake Windermere can be reached via a stunning drive over the Hard Knott and Wrynose Passes. A short drive away is Wast Water; to the west are sandy beaches. Alternatively take the steam train from Ravenglass. Shop 3 miles, pub 2½ miles.

Situated in beautiful, picturesque countryside near Troutbeck, Red Syke is in a great location for guests wanting to really explore the local area and beyond. Ideal for those who enjoy a walking or cycling holiday, with plenty of public footpaths and cycle paths passing through some of the most magnificent countryside. There are also plenty of attractions within a close radius. Experience Lakeland at its best, with every kind of outdoor activity on hand. Red Syke is a tranquil haven away from the stresses and strains of everyday living, and ideal for anyone looking to spend some time amidst the peace and quiet of wonderful scenery. Enjoy sailing on Ullswater, or take in the magnificent views from a launch trip on the lake - this scenic region offers something for everyone. Shop 2½ miles, pub and restaurant 1 mile.

Nestled in the heart of the picturesque village of Coniston, Penny Rigg Cottage is a sophisticated and refurbished mid-terraced home that exudes both style and comfort. Impeccably decorated with chic interiors, this modern village cottage offers a warm and inviting atmosphere, making it a home from home. Centrally located, Penny Rigg Cottage is just a stone’s throw away from the enchanting amenities that Coniston has to offer. The cottage’s prime positioning allows you to conveniently leave your car in the private parking space, granting you the freedom to explore the surrounding area on foot. In just 10 minutes, you can reach the stunning Coniston Water, and from the doorstep, you have easy access to footpaths leading into the fells, including the renowned Old Man of Coniston. This charming cottage serves as an ideal base for couples, friends, and families eager to discover the beauty of Coniston and its surroundings.
The ground floor welcomes you with a Lakeland slate hallway, perfect for storing walking gear. The sitting room features a large, comfortable leather sofa positioned perfectly in front of a wood-burning stove, creating a cozy retreat after a day of exploration. The well-appointed country kitchen is a culinary haven and a dining table for four completes the kitchen, providing a delightful space for shared meals. A traditional rear porch opens into a charming courtyard, the perfect spot for morning coffees and relaxation. Ascend to the first floor, where oak-floored spaces await. The double bedroom offers scenic fell views to the rear, accompanied by a modern en-suite walk-in shower room and toilet. The super king bed room faces the front, providing views of Grizedale Forest, and features an en-suite bathroom.
Step outside to discover the delightful rear courtyard garden, complete with garden furniture and a secure anchor point for bikes. To the front, a small, gravelled garden adds to the cottage’s overall charm. Beyond the comfort of Penny Rigg Cottage, the enchanting village of Coniston beckons, offering a myriad of activities and attractions, from exploring the waters of Coniston to embarking on scenic hikes in the nearby fells.

Set in the charming village of Staveley at the mouth of the Kentmere Valley, between Windermere and Kendal; Fellfoot Cottage provides the perfect location for your next Lake District Holiday. This former bobbin workers cottage offers a mix of contemporary fixtures and design alongside original features.

Upstairs you’ll find two good sized bedrooms with kingsize beds, storage and hanging space for your belongings and countryside views. The bathroom has a shower over the bath and a heated towel rail. Downstairs is a cosy living room with plenty of easy seating at the front and an open-plan kitchen diner at the rear. The high spec kitchen comes with fridge, freezer, dishwasher, hob and oven and a large dining table, ideal for a family feast or a board game with a few glasses of wine. From the back door you can access the outhouse with washer/dryer and additional storage space, suitable for bikes and boots. The cottage has a lovely east-facing garden at the rear, access is up a few steps just behind the outhouse. Being elevated the garden benefits from sun for most of the day and is a great spot to sit out with a coffee in the morning.

While small in size Staveley village has a vibrant range of eateries and shops including a choice of two pubs, a local store, butchers, fish and chip shop, post office, cafés, beer hall, artisan bakery, chocolate shop and a huge cycle warehouse. Here the River Gowan flows through the village and meets the River Kent, which provides a peaceful backdrop to the main street. The Kentmere Valley offers fabulous walking and cycling straight from the doorstep, while the rest of the Lake District with an abundance of adventures to be had on fell or water, along with arguably the most stunning scenery in the country is just a short drive away. Staveley is located just 12 miles off the M6, 4.5 miles from Kendal and 3.5 mile to Windermere and the popular tourist town of Bowness-on-Windermere. Where you will find a wide range of restaurants and gastro pubs serving every possible type of cuisine as well as an abundance of bars and pubs offering locally produced ales, cocktails and craft beers. Popular days out in the area include steamboats from Lakeside at the southern point of Windermere Lake to Ambleside in the north, The Beatrix Potter Attraction, or Brockhole, where you can enjoy a treetop safari on the high ropes. In the historic market town of Kendal you can find more of the major high street brands and supermarkets as well as a climbing wall and the world famous Brewery Arts Centre.

The moment you walk into this rustic style timber lodge you’ll feel a sense of warmth and homeliness. The open plan living/dining/kitchen area is comfortable and has all the mod cons you need with cooker, dishwasher, microwave, and large TV, but chances are you won’t be spending time watching TV or Netflix, you’ll more than likely be trying to spot the red squirrels and deer that often roam around the grounds. There are two bedrooms, a master with a double bed and dressing table and the second has twin beds. The lodge is completed by a family bathroom with a shower. In the shed outside there are also a washer and dryer in case of those muddy fun days. The lodge is located in a park where all properties are privately owned and so has a real non-commercial feel. Guests are offered access to a small swimming pool and mixed sauna at certain times of the year, but the location of the park is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts with some superb walks at the edge of the park.

Neaum Crag at Skelwith Bridge is conveniently located between Coniston and Ambleside, two of the most popular locations in the Lakes. Ambleside boasts a wide selection of independent shops, pubs, restaurants and not one, but two cinemas. Waterhead Pier runs ferries which can be taken to Bowness and Lakeside pier near Newby Bridge, Wray Castle, and Brockhole Visitor Centre. Motor and rowing boats are available if you wish to take to the water. National Trust owned Stagshaw Gardens, offers eight acres of fine gardens with a wide variety of plants, trees and shrubs, and for more impressive natural features there is Stock Ghyll Force, a spectacular 70-foot waterfall which may be viewed safely from a railed viewpoint. Coniston is a few minutes’ drive in the other direction and as well as the town with its shops and pubs, there is Coniston water, which is popular for activities such as canoes, paddle boards and open water swimming. Beach 25 miles. Pub ½ mile.