Dog-friendly Cumbria

Tucked away in the Eden Valley hamlet of Soulby, this semi-detached cottage offers guests a comfortable and well equipped cottage adjacent to the owner’s working farm. An ideal spot to immerse yourself in rural life, with the glorious countryside literally on your doorstep. The cosy living room offers a wood burner for cooler evenings, and the addition of a good sized porch to the front elevation of the cottage offers extra space to be used as required. Upstairs, the bedrooms are well presented and comfortable with care and attention to detail evident in the owner’s desire to provide a welcoming home from home.

Just a short drive from both Kirkby Stephen and Appleby, Soulby is an ideal base for exploring the area. Walkers can find routes for all abilities, gentle strolls through the village or a heartier ramble to make the most of the stunning landscape. Cyclists too head to the area for its variety of routes, where both challenging and novice rides will offer scenery worth the effort whatever the season. Both bustling market towns, Appleby and Kirkby Stephen remain thriving communities, with an eclectic mix of history, independent retailers, local cafés and restaurants, and traditional inns well worth a visit.

Outlying villages enjoy award-winning inns with local produce and local ale to be enjoyed, perhaps after a days exploring. Close at hand to the picturesque Eden Valley, are both the North Pennines and the northern Lake District. A short journey to Penrith takes you on the edge of the Lake District National Park, with Lake Ullswater and its fells and villages dotting the shore, well worth a day trip. Shop, pub and restaurant 2½ miles.

Located in the small hamlet of Hartley, approximately 1 mile from the popular Cumbrian town of Kirkby Stephen, this charming cottage, originally a brewery and inn, offers welcoming, comfortable accommodation ideal for couples or a small family who enjoy exploring, walking or cycling in stunning countryside. The Yorkshire Dales National Park, Upper Eden Valley and North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty are all right on the doorstep, and it is also within easy reach of the Lake District National Park. Dating back to the 1700s, the cottage, which is attached to the main house, has retained lots of lovely character features, which include exposed stone work on the stairs and a fantastic spacious bedroom with beams and galleried area. These traditional features are combined with all the contemporary comforts one expects from a holiday home, such as Wi-Fi, a well-equipped kitchen and contemporary bathroom with bath and separate shower cubicle. There is also a useful vestibule area where you can store outdoor clothing and boots.
Once a traditional farming and quarrying village, Hartley is a quiet place to stay, and the main sound you will hear is the babbling beck which runs through the village to the front of the cottage. The remains of the 12th-century castle can be seen on the hill which overlooks the village and on the summit of Hartley Fell are the mysterious ’Nine Standards’, a line of nine standing stones. Situated on the Coast to Coast footpath, the cottage is perfect for walkers. There is a variety of walks on offer to suit all abilities from a quiet riverside walk or a stroll along the railway lines to more challenging fell walks. The Eden Viaducts footpath starts in Hartley and the Howgill Fells are within easy reach, as are the North Pennines. The area is also great for cycling, with Kirkby Stephen on the C2C (Sea to Sea) Cycle Route. Other routes nearby include the W2W (Walney to Wear) coast to coast route and the Lakes and Dales Loop. There is an electric bike hire shop in the village and normal bike hire in Kirkby Stephen, or should you wish to bring your own bikes, storage is available on-site. Other popular activities available locally include golf and fishing. The popular ’Walkers are Welcome’ town of Kirkby Stephen is just 1 mile away and there is a footpath which will take just over 5 minutes to walk into town. Here you will find a good selection of shops, pubs, cafés and eateries as well as a couple of supermarkets, and there is a weekly market held on Mondays. The town also has a heritage centre and train station which is on the famous Settle-Carlisle line. In addition to its stunning scenery the area is also rich in culture and heritage and there are castles at Brough and Pendragon, both of which are free to visit. Shops and restaurants 1½ miles, pub 1 mile.

Bluebell Barn is nestled in the tranquil village of Newbiggin-on-Lune in the Eden Valley. Situated in the beautiful North Yorkshire Dales and only 30 minutes to the breathtaking Lake District. Giving you access to some of the most stunning scenery in the country and the choice to visit any of the 16 main lakes and over 200 fell tops that create the Lake District. This barn conversion offers more for your stay than the ordinary cottage, making the ideal rural escape for those who wish to explore the Lake District National Park and the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
In nearby Ravenstonedale there are award-winning pubs as well as a 9-hole golf course. A wider range of amenities can be found in the nearby market town of Kirkby Stephen, including independent shops, cafés and pubs, as well as supermarkets and a tourist/visitor centre. Shop and restaurant 5 miles, pub 1 mile.

Situated in the centre of the pretty Yorkshire Dales village of Crosby Garrett and dating back to 1650, Beckside Barn has been transformed into a truly magnificent barn conversion offering only the best of comfort and style throughout. The hand built, solid oak kitchen incorporates a wide range of Miele integrated appliances, featuring a bean to cup coffee machine, three ovens including a separate steam oven, breakfast bar and a Quooker boiling water tap. Enjoy family time together in the double height living room or in the separate large sitting room for those evenings when everybody just can’t agree what to watch on one of the large Smart TVs. The property comfortably sleeps up to six guests across three fabulous bedrooms on the first floor, one of which has its own en-suite, while the other two bedrooms share a bathroom with oversized bath. Surrounded by walks from the front door, here you are also just a short drive from nearby hotspots like The Howgills, Lake District National Park and North Pennines Area of Natural Beauty you are spoilt for choice with what and where to go on your next holiday in Cumbria.

Smardale Cottage is truly part of the landscape in which it sits, and staying here will give you a real sense that you are a part of history!
The cottage has been lovingly renovated into a contemporary holiday home with all the quirks of the original cottage, giving a really comforting, relaxing feel. Open the front door and enter into the boot room and utility, complete with downstairs toilet. The contemporary kitchen is fully equipped for all your cooking needs. The living/dining room offers lovely views of the garden and its cosy wood burner takes centre stage. Up the steep stairs on the first floor is a modern family bathroom with shower, bath and toilet. The master bedroom is spacious and features a super kingsize bed whilst the second bedroom is a double. The lovely south facing garden is enclosed and offers the perfect place to enjoy in the warmer months. There is direct access to Smardale nature reserve at the bottom of the Garden, with beautiful flowers, wildlife (red Squirrels - often in the Garden) along with views of Smardale viaduct on the Settle/Carlisle railway.
The hamlet is within easy reach of Kirkby Stephen, a charming market town boasting quaint tea rooms, homely pubs, independent shops and a weekly market every Monday. Penrith and Kendal are both 45 minutes’ drive away and are sure to make for fun filled days out. The Coast-to-Coast footpath is half a mile away, A truly Peaceful spot to enjoy. Shop, pub and restaurant 3 miles.

Stallion Barn sits on the outskirts of the village of Crosby Garrett, part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. This new fully renovated detached barn conversion is ideal for families or couples who wish to enjoy a holiday in the Eden Valley, with the Lake District National Park within easy reach.
The cottage lies on the edge of the quiet farming village and has rural views from every window. There is a small village shop and post office, but with Kirkby Stephen just 4 miles away, there is a good choice of local shops, pubs and restaurants to visit. The market towns of Penrith and Kendal with their castle ruins, are both 20 miles away, and Carlisle with its castle and Tullie House Museum is 50 miles away. Another castle can be found at Appleby-in-Westmorland. Penrith is also home to the Rheged Centre with something for all the family.
Chocoholics will love the Chocolate Factory in Orton, and other nearby attractions include the Settle to Carlisle railway line linking Carlisle and Leeds. There are walks straight from the door and quiet country lanes making it a fantastic location for cyclists and walkers alike. For nature lovers, Smardale Nature Reserve and Sunbiggin Tarn are a short distance away, whilst the tourist towns of Windermere, Keswick and Pooley Bridge are all within 45 minutes.

Situated on a small working farm this old railway workers accommodation has been thoughtfully renovated and extended in 2022 to retain much of its character along with the modern extension. With its own sunny, secluded garden, the detached single storey cottage is situated high up in the unspoilt Eden Valley, on the boundary of the new Westmorland Dales, the extension of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Here, you have has easy access to the surrounding countryside, the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales. The bustling market town of Kirkby Stephen is 2½ miles - the Coast to Coast walk passes through here and the town also has a station on the Settle-Carlisle railway. Appleby, with its castle, swimming pool and famous annual horse fair, is 9 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 2½ miles.

Step back in time in this traditional Lakeland cottage with original character beams and an inglenook fireplace with a wood burning stove. The quality sofas and Smart TV make the cosy living area the perfect spot to snuggle up after a day of adventures. The dining area seats four comfortably and leads directly to the galley kitchen which offers all amenities to ensure a comfortable stay. For added convenience there’s a utility room to the rear housing a freezer, washing machine and sink. This area has plenty of room for drying clothes and for dogs to enjoy their own space! There are two bedrooms on the first floor, a large master to the front of the property having feature beams, an original wooden floor, king size bed and plenty of storage. The second bedroom located to the rear overlooking the pretty cottage garden has a double bed. The first floor has a bathroom and a separate toilet. Located in the bathroom is a P-shaped bath, which has a powerful electric shower over it, as well as a vanity unit with a mirror and basin. After a refreshing soak, meander into the sweet cottage garden around the back of the cottage and along a short path where you will find a gated lawn area (ideal for children and dogs), plenty of seating for the group as well as a BBQ and a summerhouse to enjoy. The garden is not overlooked and benefits from the afternoon and evening sun.
The pretty village of Ravenstonedale has lots of nice walks to enjoy. The village sits within the Yorkshire Dales National Park between the River Lune and Eden. This beautiful area offers views of the Howgills, riverside paths, limestone pavements, and challenging hill climbs. There is a few award-winning firm favourite pubs and restaurants a short distance away all have an excellent reputation. The Scar Art Gallery is worth a visit in the centre of the village. There is also the quirky Riverside Golf Course which has 18 holes but only 9 greens.
In the neighbouring village of Newbiggin-on-Lune, you will find Bessy Becks Trout Fishery. Visitors can also explore the nearby market towns of Kirkby Stephen and Appleby both steeped in history with plenty of cafés and shops to browse. Ravenstonedale gives you the choice of so many areas to explore and enjoy. The North Pennines with rolling hills, woodlands, and picturesque surroundings. The Yorkshire Dales National Park, with caves, waterfalls, iconic and historical towns and villages. In addition, the Lake District National Park with its lakes, mountains and tourist hotspots is also easily accessible by car.

Converted into a split level detached holiday bungalow from the former Gaisgill Station, light and airy, furnished to a very good standard, in Danish style, and with a power shower over the bath. Adjacent to the owner’s home, between the Lakes and Dales National Parks (both within 20 minutes’ drive), in the Lune Valley, great for walking. The A685 is to the side of Gaisgill, with access to the Howgills. Settle to Carlisle rail link at Kirkby Stephen. Pub 1½ miles, shop 2 miles.

Cumberland House is a beautifully restored 17th-century barn in the centre of the village of Orton. The house is built on a slope so access to the upper and lower ground floors is via the private drive to the back of the house. The upper floor has a spacious living room with large comfy sofas and a wood burner. This is connected to the lower ground floor by a spacious hallway with an oak staircase, an impressive arched picture window and exposed beams. There are fantastic views to the village at the front and the gardens at the back.
Cumberland House is set in the peaceful picturesque village of Orton which boasts two churches, one pub, one shop and the world famous Kennedy’s chocolate factory and every second Saturday in the month there is a farmers market. Orton is on the Coast to Coast walk and there are plenty of walks from Orton as well as many excellent pub/restaurants within a 10-minute drive. Wainwright described Orton as ’one of Westmorland’s loveliest villages’. One thing is certain, Orton has a soul and a very big heart. Shop 50 yards, pub and restaurant 150 yards.