Dog-friendly Cumbria

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.

Converted from the old milking parlour, this single-storey cottage has been comfortably furnished to provide a delightful holiday home just for two. The property boasts its own hot tub, and the owners provide dressing gowns and slippers. Situated alongside Mark Close Farmhouse (ref 13314), The Milking Parlour 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 cottage 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 an enclosed garden with panoramic views over green fields and wild fells. In the paddock next door to the cottage, 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.
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 or relax in the gardens hot-tub whilst enjoying the surrounding views.

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

Cannondale has been fully refurbished in 2019 to provide a comfortable and stylish haven, four bedrooms with a super kingsize bed (two with zip and link option to be made up into twin bedrooms), all with their own en-suite. One of the bedrooms is found on the ground floor, the ideal option for the less mobile. The large living room offers a generous space and comfort, with a cosy wood burner, large TV and French doors leading out onto the enclosed garden and patio. There is also a spacious open plan kitchen/dining room with French doors also leading out into the garden. There is comfortable space for eight to live and dine together, whilst offering privacy and freedom for everybody in each bedroom.

Situated inbetween Windermere and Bowness, you are just a short walk from either, ideal for enjoying the local shops and eateries or to experience a trip out on Lake Windermere. The property is also ideally located within an easy drive or cycle to one of the many hundreds of walking routes or excursions that are enjoyed in the south Lakes and the Lake District on a daily basis. The owner has thoughtfully provided a dog shower to clean off after your adventures with your four legged friends. Shop, pub and restaurant 1 mile.

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.

This beautifully presented, semi-detached bungalow right next to the beach has all the ingredients for a memorable stay. With a thriving herring fishing industry, Allonby is full of interesting architecture offering a glimpse into its maritime past. Captains Cottage has its own place in history, a former stables once used to house the village donkeys and commanding a prominent position right on the beachside. Now converted, this stunning holiday home offers all the features you would expect from a modern holiday home.

Great for those wanting easy access all on one level, Captains Cottage comfortably sleeps up to six guests in two spacious double bedrooms and one twin bedded room, making it ideal for couples and families. The tasteful décor will appeal to those who prefer a more modern feel to their holiday home, whilst remaining in keeping with its coastal beginnings. The sea can be viewed from the window in the living room and on sunny days guests can enjoy sitting out in the courtyard garden complete with table and chairs, or continue through the gate and within 50 yards you arrive at the famous Allonby Beach. After a long walk along the shore, you can throw a couple of logs on the wood burner and put your feet up in front of the TV. The property also has a bathroom where you will find a shower and a full size bath, perfect for a relaxing soak after a day of exploring. A modern and well-equipped kitchen finishes off this stunning property.

This stretch of coastline has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the growing popularity of this seaside village is evident. With its long stretch of sandy beach it’s the perfect place to bring your pets along for exercise and it’s also great for the kids. You can enjoy views across the Solway Estuary over to mountains in southern Scotland. For those seeking more rugged outdoor adventure you’re only a 10-mile drive to the Lake District National Park, home to the famous Lakes Distillery offering guided tours and tastings, and 16 miles to your nearest lake, Bassenthwaite. Visit the Lake District Wildlife Park with over 100 species of exotic animals, sure to be a fun-filled day out for all ages. The village shop, tea rooms and fish and chip shop are also within easy reach on foot, as are two village pubs, the first of which is just 350 yards away, across the road. Beach 50 yards. Shop 520 yards, pub and restaurant 350 yards.