Dog-friendly Cumbria

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.

If you love visiting the lakes and rambling around National Parks, then Tebay is the place for you. Ramshead Cottage is detached and has a wealth of original features, it’s characterful and welcoming with a cosy country style, and on the doorstep of both the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks. The views of the surrounding fields and fells are divine for those beautiful summer mornings, fast forward to winter and you can cosy up in front of the wood burner. The main bedroom has a double bed and the second bedroom is a twin bedroom allowing the option to have double or separate beds. Comfortable seating around the television and wood burner on the ground floor will help you unwind after a long day walking or cycling. There is a large kitchen offering all the amenities you would expect to be able to cook for you and your guests. Wines are available in the property which guests can buy, and the owner will donate £1 per bottle purchased to the Air Ambulance and Cumbrian Mountain Rescue. There is even an outdoor shed ideal for bicycles, canoes or even motorbikes. The local pub is ideal for a hearty Sunday roast after your afternoon ramble and Ramshead Cottage is within easy reach of Kendal, Penrith, Lancaster or Carlisle, making this quaint village a great commuter’s location. Shop, pub and restaurant 200 yards.

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.

This delightful cottage has seen considerable renovation work in 2019, combining modern fittings with original features to provide a cosy and well-equipped holiday home. Situated in a rural position and adjoining the owners’ property, it is just 1½ miles from the attractive, ancient, market town of Appleby-in-Westmorland, in the beautiful Eden Valley.

This is an ideal retreat for couples and small families. It is centrally located in a peaceful position in the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks, and has a pretty outlook. It is also close to the Scottish Borders and Hadrian’s Wall. Excellent walking, cycling, golf and fishing are all available nearby. Shop, pub and restaurant 1½ miles.

Myrtle Cottage is a traditional Lakes slate cottage dating back to the 1870s located in Windermere, Cumbria. Touches of this history can be found throughout the property, for example the wonderful stone fireplace and working wood burner. When you are not out enjoying the various Windermere pubs and restaurants all within easy walking distance, spend your evening keeping up to date with all your favourite shows and enjoy quality time in the lovely lounge area, with its two leather sofas and wood burner. Furnished to a high standard, this kitchen will inspire you to dust off those cookbooks and indulge in all the modern appliances at hand. With a convenient dining area seating four people, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy a home-cooked meal together.
The first floor is home to two bedrooms, both with kingsize beds. Both conveniently feature their own en-suite shower room and ample storage space for all your personal belongings. Outside is a rear patio area with furniture provided - sit out and enjoy this enclosed space with a refreshing drink.
While you stay in the area of Windermere, why not explore everything the town has to offer? With an abundance of local pubs and restaurants for fine dining, there are also plenty of shops you can splurge in and treat yourself to something new. Find and explore The World of Beatrix Potter in Bowness-on-Windermere, which features displays about the famous writer herself. Or venture towards Cook House gallery, with exhibitions of modern arts and crafts. With so much to do in the area, you will be spoilt for choice. Myrtle Cottage is the ideal cottage for exploring the Lake District.
Shop and pub 175 yards.

Keats Barn forms part of what was the Sun Inn, situated in the picturesque village of Ireby near Caldbeck and Uldale. The building dates back to the 17th century when the inn was the focal point of the village. This stunning barn conversion sits in an enviable position, and offers a combination of period style with contemporary fittings and finishes. Here, ancient wooden beams, a cosy wood burner and original stonework blend comfortably with modern appliances, creating a rustic yet homely feel.

It is named after John Keats who visited the village of Ireby on a walking holiday, and for whom the Sun Inn was a popular local haunt, making favourable comments about the area and its people in his writing. Other visitors who favoured the inn include Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins.

Designed to provide a stunning view over the Uldale Fells, the property is arranged with the main living accommodation on the first floor. This large open plan living space with apex beamed ceiling offers a comfortable seating area around the wood burner, and a well-equipped kitchen/dining area. The entrance on the ground floor opens into a bright hallway, perfect for leaving your coats and boots to dry after a good day’s walk.

The gardens are ideal for your dogs and sitting and taking in the views. There is a firepit from where you can sit and gaze at the night sky with a mug of hot chocolate and some toasted marshmallows. Depending on the time of year, you might see red squirrels at the feeding station, bats and many species of birds including buzzards, gold finches and house martins. Chickens live in the bottom garden and will provide you with fresh eggs for your stay.

The surrounding area is ideal for walkers, surrounded by grazing sheep and an abundance of birds and wildlife. Ireby is a very friendly village with a local pub to join in with conversation, and an annual music festival attracting leading performers. The hills at the back of Skiddaw and Blencathra are within easy reach and there are many gentle walks to be had around the local Ireby and Uldale area. The village is also served by a farm shop selling fresh milk and seasonal vegetables. Beach 15 miles. Shop 6 miles, pub and restaurant 20 yards.

This classic detached timber lodge enjoys an elevated position providing the perfect retreat for couples or an amazing base for a family holiday. The popular Glendowlin Lodge development is a small group of privately owned lodges which offer a peaceful and comfortable stay just 4 miles from Ullswater. The accommodation is spacious, well equipped and comes with private parking for 2 cars. There are farmer’s fields adjacent to the rear garden, which is lovely in the warmer months when the sheep are out grazing. From this point, you also have far reaching views of the Lakeland fells over to the West.
The lodge can comfortably sleep up to six guests in three good-sized bedrooms. A kingsize with en-suite shower, a double, and a bedroom with bunk beds - this room has an optional trundle bed giving families flexibility for three children sharing the same room. There is also a travel cot bed provided, which can be used in this bedroom if the trundle is not in use. All bedrooms have built in wardrobes, so you have plenty of storage space. The main bathroom features a shower over a bath.
The open-plan living/dining room and fully equipped kitchen is a great space for entertaining; with a large dining table for enjoying meals together or for playing one of the provided board games. If you’re looking for some down-time after a busy day out exploring, the TV has built-in Freeview and a DVD player. On the cooler evenings the wood burner can be lit, making it a cosy place to relax.
With the M6/A66 being only 5 minute drive from Sparrow’s Nest, it is the perfect location for exploring some of the very best places that Cumbria (and the surrounding areas) has to offer. You get the best of both worlds with the Lake District to the west and The Yorkshire Dales to the east - even the Scottish border town of Gretna is only a 35 minute drive, so you really are spoilt for choice! You have the market towns of Penrith or Keswick to visit the array of shops and eateries, or the historical city of Carlisle with its castle and museum. Or being located on the fringes of the national park, adventure isn’t far away. From Pooley Bridge you can take the Ullswater Steamer to Glenridding either to relax and enjoy the beauty of your surroundings or to follow in the footsteps of Alfred Wainwright and explore the fells. All of this and so much more is easily accessible from this central location. You will find a folder containing lots of leaflets for local attractions to help plan your stay.
Alternatively, if you would rather stay local, just down the road is the Lowther Estate. This includes a gothic castle ruin, 130 acres of gardens, café, shop, exhibition and an amazing adventure playground that will keep everyone entertained for ages! There is a lovely network of walks and cycle paths with the option to hire all-terrain bikes, children’s bikes and also electric mountain bikes on site. Following all this you will have definitely deserved a visit to the cosy pub/restaurant only a mile away in the village of Tirril.

Treehouse Cabin is set amongst the trees on a small camping site, with a wooden terrace suspended over the stream, with its own private hot tub situated in the beautiful open countryside on the northern fringes of the Lake District National Park close to the fell villages of Caldbeck, Hesket New Market and Uldale. Nestled in 23 acres of land (with Woodpecker Cottage and Nuthatch Cottage), which guests can enjoy, with a vast array of bird and wildlife, and the panoramic views to the sea and the Scottish hills beyond. The cottage is well placed to walk the tranquil northern fells or to visit the unspoilt Cumbrian coast, Carlisle and Hadrian’s Wall. The renowned Cumbrian village of Caldbeck with a pub, tea rooms and shop is nearby. Beach 16¾ miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 2½ miles.
Treehouse Cabin can be booked together with Woodpecker Cottage (CC119136), Nuthatch Cottage (CC119138), Osprey Lodge (UK11317), Kestrel Cabin (UK1246), Farmhouse Cottage (UK1285), Safari Tent (UK1286), Barn Owl Bothy (UK1366) and Skylark Lodge (UK1378), Curlew (UK1389), Lapwing (UK1390), Merlin’s Cabin (UK1391), Robins Lodge (UK13643) and Starling Lodge (UK31071) to accommodate up to 53 guests.

Nuthatch Cottage is a stone built cottage with its own private hot tub situated in the beautiful open countryside on the northern fringes of the Lake District National Park close to the fell villages of Caldbeck, Hesket New Market and Uldale. Nestled in 23 acres of land which guests can enjoy, with a vast array of bird and wildlife, and the panoramic views to the sea and the Scottish hills beyond. The cottage is well placed to walk the tranquil northern fells or to visit the unspoilt Cumbrian coast, Carlisle and Hadrian’s Wall. The renowned Cumbrian village of Caldbeck with a pub, tea rooms and shop is nearby. Beach 16¾ miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 2½ miles.
Nuthatch Cottage can be booked together with Woodpecker Cottage (CC119136), Treehouse Cabin (UK1087), Osprey Lodge (UK11317) Kestrel Cabin (UK1246), Farmhouse Cottage (UK1285), Safari Tent (UK1286), Barn Owl Bothy (UK1366) and Skylark Lodge (UK1378), Curlew (UK1389), Lapwing (UK1390), Merlin’s Cabin (UK1391), Robins Lodge (UK13643) and Starling Lodge (UK31071) to accommodate up to 53 guests.