Dog-friendly Cumbria

In the glorious landscape of the Lake District National Park, and ideally located for enjoying water sports or fell walking and climbing, these two spacious and comfortable properties have been created from the conversion of an 18th century barn. Allt Maen, its name derived from the Celtic ‘Old Man of Coniston’, a mountain visible from the properties, is on the first floor and Wetherlam occupies the ground floor. Coniston Water is just 2 miles, Windermere 8 miles, Blawith Fells are a short drive and Grizedale Forest tracks invite mountain bikers, whilst nearby stately homes and gardens offer more sedate pleasures. Shops are 3 miles away and a friendly pub (dogs welcome) is a short stroll.

Mark Close Farmhouse, which accommodates 20, is within a 15-20 minute walk from beautiful Alston, with its great pubs, cafés and shops. The town is central in the North Pennines and lies on the borders of Northumberland, Durham and Cumbria, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, referred to as ’England’s last wilderness’, and is also said to be the ’Highest Market Town in England’. The house occupies a fantastic position, central to the Lakes, Yorkshire Dales, Hadrian’s Wall, the Scottish borders and Northumberland’s coast and castles.
The property is set in a large garden bordered by mature trees with panoramic views over green fields and wild fells. In the paddock next door to the Farmhouse, there are five very friendly Alpacas. The area remains unspoiled by large traffic queues or intrusive tourism. The town has a beautiful cobbled street with public houses, mini markets, petrol stations, butchers and bakers.
There is additional accommodation for two adjacent to the Farmhouse - a small fully equipped one bedroom cottage called Mark Close Milking Parlour (ref 25137). Ideal for a couple who would prefer peace and quiet, the Milking Parlour also has a small hot tub suitable for four people at once.
Go for a ride on Alston’s narrow-gauge railway, follow Isaac’s Tea Trail or browse in the excellent gift shops. There’s fishing, riding and golf nearby, as well as Killhope and Nenthead Mining Centres. Follow some of the local ramblers on the Pennine Way. Walk over Crossfell (the highest point in the Pennines) or search for the sources of the four great rivers to which the North Pennines gives rise, the Tyne, the Wear, the Tees and the Eden.
The glorious coast and countryside of Northumberland are within travelling distance as are the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, Hadrian’s Wall and the Scottish Borders. There are water sports at Talkin and Keilder Water. Or perhaps some retail therapy in the Metro Centre Gateshead, which is only an hour away, one of Europe’s largest shopping centres with restaurants, multi-screen cinemas, playland and bowling alley. Alternatively, just stay at home and relax in front of the fire and eat together with family or friends in the farmhouse kitchen

In the glorious landscape of the Lake District National Park, and ideally located for enjoying water sports or fell walking and climbing, these two spacious and comfortable properties have been created from the conversion of an 18th century barn. Allt Maen, its name derived from the Celtic ‘Old Man of Coniston’, a mountain visible from the properties, is on the first floor and Wetherlam occupies the ground floor. Coniston Water is just 2 miles, Windermere 8 miles, Blawith Fells are a short drive and Grizedale Forest tracks invite mountain bikers, whilst nearby stately homes and gardens offer more sedate pleasures. Shops are 3 miles away and a friendly pub (dogs welcome) is a short stroll.

This charming holiday cottage is attractively presented and offers an immaculate home from home. All at ground floor and adjoining the owner’s home, it has spectacular country views and a private small garden and patio area. The property is surrounded by good walking country and there is a network of footpaths from the doorstep. The picturesque, unspoilt village of Kirkoswald, with its cobbled market place, is a frequent winner of the best-kept village competition and is located in the beautiful Eden Valley, a tranquil part of Cumbria. The village church has a unique feature, a 19th-century bell tower perched on a hilltop 200 yards from the church itself. Situated between Carlisle and Penrith, there is easy access to Hadrian’s Wall, the Northern Pennines, the western fringe of the Yorkshire Dales, the Scottish Border and Northumberland. Access to the shore side of the lake, Ullswater, at Pooley Bridge is only a short drive away, with Keswick and Derwent Water, along with Lake Buttermere, being only a little further. The Cumbrian Cycle Route passes near the village and there is good fishing on the River Eden close by. Shop and pubs within ¾ mile.

Set on a hillside in the beautiful Eden Valley, this lovely stone holiday cottage enjoys peace and privacy with panoramic views of the Pennines and Lakeland fells. Standing opposite the owners’ home, it has been tastefully converted from a former coach house. Retaining much of its original character, it is situated in a cobbled courtyard with the original restored well. All around are beautiful walks, with Cross Fell only a morning’s stroll away. Fishing is available on Blencarn Lake and River Eden. Tour the Yorkshire Dales, the Lake District and Border Country, with Lake Ullswater only half an hour’s drive. The market town of Penrith with its castle ruins, nearby. The cottage itself is set in the sleepy village of Ousby, surrounded by countryside and home to a village pub, open Thursday-Monday. Shop 3 miles, pub 150 yards.

Dolphin Cottage really does have a home from home feel as soon as you walk through the door. The stunning sea views make this property very unique whilst still being in the centre of the bustling town of Grange-Over-Sands.
A quintessentially British seaside resort, Grange-over-Sands has retained the old-fashioned feel of a time gone by, with classic tea shops, cafés, family-run shops and restaurants in the town centre. In fact, the whole town prides itself on the large number of family-run businesses in the area, giving a real sense of community spirit and offering visitors a very high standard of friendly, personal service wherever you go.
Close by the village of Cartmel is a picture postcard Lakeland village with charming winding narrow streets surround a small village square and the village’s Sticky Toffee Pudding is its very own speciality. The village is home to the Michelin starred restaurant, L’Enclume, which is acclaimed as one of the best in the country and does require forward booking.
This is the perfect place to stay if you want to enjoy local amenities, stunning seaside walks, have views all day long and for a bit of train spotting. Beach 176 yards. Shop 352 yards and pub 124 yards.

Little Esthwaite Cottage rests on the shores of the majestic Esthwaite Water, in the village of Near Sawrey, which boasts a superb local public house and the National Trust property of Hill Top, the home of Beatrix Potter. The cottage sits in the original grounds of the house where Beatrix Potter spent her childhood summers and where Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny came into being.
The interior is very well laid out with a well-equipped kitchen/dining room. Two steps up to the separate living room with a wood burner for those cosy evenings. From the living room, doors open onto a private enclosed patio providing views across the fields to Esthwaite Water. There is also a double bedroom with an en-suite shower room. Outside is a landscaped garden with lawns and mature borders, shared with the adjoining property, where you can admire the breathtaking views towards the Langdale Pikes, Old Man of Coniston, Wetherlam and Crinkle Crags. There are walks directly from the property and it is just a short walk across the meadow to the shores of Esthwaite Water, where you can wander along the water’s edge, with trout and pike fishing available. Esthwaite Water is thought to have been Beatrix Potter’s favourite lake and inspired her creation of the character Jeremy Fisher. For bird watchers, an osprey pair have also been spotted fishing regularly at the lake in recent summers.
The cottage is well situated for Tarn Hows and the pretty village of Hawkshead, alternatively you could take the ferry across to Bowness-on-Windermere, where steamers on Lake Windermere run up to Ambleside or down to the steam railway at Lakeside.
Coniston Water, once host to the infamous speed record attempt of Donald Campbell in his craft ‘Bluebird’, is just a short drive. Beach 12 miles. Shop 2 miles, pub and restaurant within ¼ mile.

This very spacious, detached property is the ultimate getaway, with both a games room and an outdoor play area for children. It also has superb living, kitchen and dining areas for the rest of the family. Meadow View is perfect for families coming together, or for large groups needing somewhere to meet as a base and enjoy fun and time together. With the Roanhead Beach just over 3 miles away, and only a short drive into the South Lakes, this is superbly positioned accommodation for any occasion. Equally, you could just remain on site for a relaxing time away, parked behind the electric gates, and enjoy the on-site gymnasium, hot tub and games areas without the need to drive anywhere else. For those bringing infants and toddlers, the property provides ample equipment such as a baby bath with a seat insert for the main bath too, bottle maker, bottle warmer, steriliser, baby bouncer, electronic swing chair, a few toys, highchair, travel cot and a wooden cot which can be placed in any room. Beach 3½ miles. Shop 1 mile, pub ¾ mile and restaurant 1½ miles.

Visit England ROSE award winner 2018

Bruno’s Bothy is detached and set in a peaceful location on a working farm in the heart of beautiful Cumbria. Renovated to an exacting standard and beautifully decorated with beamed high ceilings, wood burner, a delightful sun room overlooking the garden, not to mention the hot tub - you just might not want to venture further afield. If you can tear yourself away, Cumbria and the Lake District National Park is one of the most beautiful regions in the UK. The area has something to offer all visitors, from those seeking adventure, to those seeking peace and quiet. Not only is the Lake District National Park a short drive away, but from here it’s also easy to explore the great border city of Carlisle, Hadrian’s Wall and Scotland. Shop 4 miles, pub with restaurant 100 yards.

If you want a relaxing break in a beautiful part of The Lake District National Park, then look no further than Garth Court. This well-equipped one bedroom apartment is just a short stroll from the centre of Near Sawrey Village and is ideal for couples looking to unwind and use as a base to explore the stunning surroundings. Near Sawrey is located between Lake Windermere and Hawkshead and nestles on the shores of Esthwaite Water. It’s also the home of Hill Top, Beatrix Potter’s former home where the inspiration was drawn for many of her famous tales. Here you are also less than a 5-minute walk from an excellent village pub offering good food and local ales, with an open fire and a real country pub feel to it.
Accessed via 7 stone steps from a small courtyard, this split-level apartment offers open plan living, with plenty of comfortable seating and a dining area, including large flat screen TV and a small outdoor terrace with bistro table and chairs, ideal for a morning coffee. 4 steps lead down to a well-equipped kitchen on the lower ground floor. The kitchen has all the cooking facilities you’ll need to prepare a hearty breakfast or an evening banquet. Down the hall is a double bedroom with extra storage and a good sized shower room. There is a private parking space directly outside the property and also a washing machine in an outhouse shared with the holiday cottage opposite.
The picturesque village has lovely scenery and walks available from your doorstep. Just 2 miles away you’ll find Hawkshead which offers a range of pubs, shops and plenty of independent cafés and coffee shops. You’re also just a short drive from the Windermere car ferry, which in just 10-minutes takes you across the lake to Bowness-on-Windermere with an abundance of shops, bars, restaurants. Take the steamers across Windermere Lake to Ambleside in the north and Lakeside in the south, which connects to The Lakeside and Haverthwaite Steam Railway. You’re close to Grizedale Forest with lots of woodland walks, cycle routes and even a high rope adventure course, great fun for adults! For golfers, you can access Windermere Golf Course in a short drive as well as Esthwaite Trout Fishery which is just 1 mile away. If you love the outdoors, there’s plenty of hiking and climbing routes all around including both on and off road cycle ways, whatever you want to do on holiday, Garth Court is a great place to start. Beach 16¾ miles.
Garth Court can be booked together with Gardeners Cottage (UK32487) to accommodate up to 4 guests.