Dog-friendly Cumbria

A quaint cottage sleeping up to 5 humans and 2 dog in the heart of the beautiful Lake District!

Situated in a peaceful, rural location on the fringe of the Lake District National Park, these delightful holiday properties (refs 27273, UKC64 and UKC2221) have lots of character, comfort, charm and original features. The Coach House (ref UKC64) has been carefully renovated into a lovely cottage with an open plan living space on the first floor, to take advantage of the views across the Solway Firth, famous for its fantastic sunsets. Semi-detached with Grooms Cottage (ref UKC2221), this property has been restored in to a wonderful cottage, adjacent to Holly Lodge (ref 27273), off the large shared parking area.

Holly Lodge (27273) is a detached, spacious, 18th-century country house, and has been thoughtfully furnished to a good standard with a profusion of original features, which have been retained and restored. Whilst all three properties are set in substantial wooded gardens, with formal lawns, an orchard and patio areas, each property has their own private sitting-out area. The whole garden is surrounded by countryside and is very private and secure.
Cockermouth, 8 miles, has coffee shops, restaurants, gastro pubs, shops, cycle hire and art galleries. There are theatres in Keswick, Cockermouth and Whitehaven, all within easy reach and hosting musical and theatrical events all year. The small rural village of Aspatria, 2 miles, also has a small selection of shops. There is a public swimming pool in Cockermouth or you can have your own personal indoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi and steam room (rented by the hour locally, it is recommended to book early), just 500 yards away from the properties. Fly fishing is available with a trout pond in Gilcrux, 2 miles, and the rivers Ellen in Aspatria, and Derwent in Cockermouth. The beach, lakes and fells are just a 15-minute drive away. Horse riding is also available locally. Shops, pubs and restaurants within 2 miles.

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