Dog-friendly Cumbria

The moment you open the front door you enter a stylish, contemporary property offering a large open plan living space. The living area invites you to relax on the comfortable sofas while you toast your toes in front of the wood burner. The chef in your party will be drawn to the sleek kitchen which offers plenty of amenities and space, so you can prepare anything from a sandwich to a meal worthy of a Michelin star, spectators can sit in awe of the culinary skills on show at the breakfast bar and then when it’s time to dine, the light and spacious dining area is the perfect setting to enjoy your meal.
The first of the four bedrooms is accessible off the ground floor and comes with an en-suite shower and there is a separate ground floor toilet, moving upstairs, there is a good-sized family bathroom with bath, shower and the remaining three bedrooms, which comprise of a kingsize, twin room, and a children’s bunk bed room.
The house is ideally situated midway between Bowness and Windermere which are both within easy walking distance. Both of these highly popular villages offer a great selection of shops, bars, restaurants and cafés, so you won’t be short of places to wine and dine, day or night and then of course you have a whole host of activities to entertain and delight every member of your party, whether you enjoy, walking, cycling, water sports, climbing or simply cruising across the world-famous Lake Windermere. Other less energetic pursuits available locally include visiting, the cinema, steam railway, castle, animal parks, aquarium, museums and theatre; suffice to say you’ll never be bored and all this with the backdrop of some of the most stunning scenery on the planet.

These three, 18th century barn conversions, (refs 80043, 28645, 28646) are located just 1 mile from the market town of Alston, one of the highest towns in the country and a charming backdrop to many a period film and TV series. Situated behind the owner’s home, these holiday cottages offer comfortable accommodation with their own sitting-out areas.
Guests have shared use of the hot tub where views can be enjoyed towards Mount Hooley and over the South Tyne Valley. The changing landscape throughout the seasons makes for picturesque views all year round. After a day out exploring this delightful area, what better way to soak those tired limbs and relax.
This is a good base for exploring Tynedale and the North Pennines by foot, bicycle or car, with many places of interest to visit, including Alston’s narrow gauge railway, Pennine Pottery and local crafts. The Pennine Way runs past the door, with walks in all directions. Alston, with its quaint cobbled main street, has a range of individual shops, character inns, restaurants and tea rooms. Within the area is an historical Roman fort and tourists will enjoy the museums, exhibitions and sites along Hadrian’s Wall. The Lake District, Beamish Museum, Newcastle, the Metro Centre, Carlisle and the Scottish Borders are all within driving distance. Ideal for families or friends to get together, these properties (red 80043, 28645 and 28646) can be booked together to accommodate up to 10 guests. Shop, pub and restaurant 1 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.

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.

Down a quiet leafy lane in beautiful countryside just 2 miles from the shores of Coniston Water, this very spacious and attractive, traditional Lakeland house is set in its own private garden. Built in 1767, it enjoys superb views over Lakeland fells, and has been carefully restored whilst retaining many original features to offer comfortably furnished and well equipped family accommodation. The famous town of Coniston, nestling in the Coniston range of mountains, is just 20 minutes’ drive away. The hamlet of Lowick has a cosy and friendly inn serving excellent food only 500 yards from The Vicarage, with many country inns and excellent restaurants in the surrounding area.
The market town of Ulverston, 5 miles, offers a choice of shops, inns and restaurants, a championship golf course with superb views over Morecambe Bay, an excellent sports complex with swimming-pool and a Laurel and Hardy museum, Stan Laurel was born in the town. Many activities can be enjoyed in the immediate vicinity, including walking on fell, lakeside or mountain, sailing, wind-surfing and canoeing. The shores of Morecambe Bay are just 2½ miles away, where sea fishing is available. At the Grizedale Forest Enterprise Centre, 4 miles, mountain bikes can be hired to cycle along the many forest trails which link the majority of the numerous stone and wood sculptures scattered among the trees. Kendal, the ‘Gateway to the Lakes’, is well worth a visit for its museums, art galleries and pretty cafés and tearooms. The nearby Levens Hall boasts beautifully trimmed topiary gardens as well as a steam-engine collection and café. Lake Windermere 20 minutes’ drive with Bowness a further 10 minutes. Village shop 2 miles.

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.

Nestling in a clearing of trees, at the foot of Helvellyn and close to the shore of Thirlmere, Dale Head Hall’s Victorian coach house, set within the grounds of one of lakeland’s finest hotels, has been carefully restored and converted into five apartments offering delightful holiday accommodation amidst breathtaking scenery. Overlooking the cobbled yard they retain much of their rustic charm and are comfortably furnished and equipped. Stroll through the wonderful garden and enjoy spectacular lake views the tranquillity that this very special setting offers.

The walking and wildlife from the doorstep is excellent. There is a stunning walk along the lakeside or for the more ambitious hiker Helvellyn beckons. The popular, bustling market town of Keswick with an abundance of interesting shops, tourist attractions and eateries is five miles. Thirlmere connects to the south Lakes via a spectacular mountain pass, where you can enjoy the many opportunities that Grasmere, Windermere and Ambleside have to offer. An excellent central location for exploring the Lake District.

The Coach House can be booked together with Grooms Room (13316) to accommodate up to four guests.

These two attractive holiday lodge chalets (refs B5697 and 30250) have been furnished and equipped to a very good standard. Tucked away in a very pleasant position, they are two of a small group of eight chalets, which sit on the National Park boundary; with peaceful rural views across the local countryside towards Skiddaw. They are conveniently situated just off the A595 Cockermouth to Carlisle road, making it an excellent choice for guests wanting easy access to the Northern Lake District and the Scottish Borders. Cockermouth is 5 miles, Keswick 12 miles and Carlisle 18 miles. Beach 8 miles. Shop and restaurant 6 miles, pub 1 mile.

This traditional detached Cumbrian holiday cottage is ideal for a romantic sanctuary. It has been carefully renovated to retain a wealth of charm, including a large inglenook fireplace, whilst providing all the contemporary conveniences such as large waterfall shower. You can explore Brampton, with its range of good restaurants and pubs, or sit yourself in front of the woodburner and have a relaxing night. The property is set on the A689 in the village of Hallbankgate, which means you are ideally placed for exploring Hadrian’s Wall, Carlisle, the Scottish Borders, Alston and the Lake District. RSPB Geltsdale reserve, 1 mile. Shops 4 miles, pub and restaurant 350 yards.

This charming, detached, wood-fronted holiday cottage is set in the beautiful Eden Valley down a long private stone track, in quiet idyll. Cosy and comfortable, it lies adjacent to the owner’s home and has two well-furnished living rooms to provide flexible family living arrangements whether you are lounging in front of the wood burner watching the birds on the feeder or watching a DVD from the selection in the cottage. With various breeds of birds in the woodland overlooked by the decking, this is a little nature haven. Nestled between the Pennines, Scottish Borders, the Lake District and North Yorkshire National Parks, this is the ideal touring base for a wide range of activities. Nearer home is a range of pretty villages, stunning surroundings, great farmers’ markets and traditional village shows. Cumbria is a fantastic place for the cycling, walking and climbing, whether out on the natural crags or the climbing walls at Penrith and Kendal. There is also horse riding and go-karting nearby. The ancient market town, Appleby is a 5-minute drive away and the Lake District is 30 minutes. Shop and restaurant 1½ miles, pub 1 mile.