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.

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.

Situated in an elevated position directly on the historic Hadrian’s Wall Path, this detached, stone holiday cottage has been converted from a former barn and stands within the grounds of the owner’s home. Its peaceful, rural setting, with open views across meadows, is the perfect location for a relaxing break. The Roman Way cycle route passes near by. There are many interesting market towns, places of interest and excellent walking nearby plus the cities of Newcastle and Carlisle are within an hour’s drive. Shop 1/2 mile, pub 2 miles.

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 lovely holiday cottage, adjoining the owner’s property, is a tastefully renovated, early 18th-century converted corn mill. Featuring open, original beams, exposed stonework and some of the mill’s workings, the cottage overlooks the River Marron. Branthwaite is a small village close to the Lake District’s National Park; it is just 4 miles from Loweswater and 6 miles from Crummock Water. Shop 2 miles, pub 500 yards. It is 4 miles from the lovely town of Cockermouth where there are lots of restaurants, cafes and pubs. The popular town of Keswick is 20 minutes drive.

For a holiday with a difference, Whitehall Pele Tower is a wonderfully atmospheric 14th-century Pele Tower providing a magnificent setting for a large family or group, perfectly placed for exploring the Lake District and Solway Coast. Grade I listed, the house has been owned by the same family for 150 years and has a long and fascinating history. An addition to the original building was made in the 16th century and the first restoration was made in 1861, after it was bought by the merchant and philanthropist George Moore.

Whitehall Pele Tower has all the benefits of modern living, whilst retaining its original character. The house stands in an acre of grounds containing the picturesque ruins of a Victorian manor house. Two of the larger lawns can be used for family games. Inside the house are spacious rooms, including a first floor sitting room with Chrome cast, giving the ability to stream from your device to the TV, and an enormous Tudor stone fireplace, looking out over tranquil pastureland. The grounds are full of birdlife and the scenery of the Northern Lakes is close at hand. Bassenthwaite Lake, 7 miles. Whinlatter Visitor Centre, Altura Mountain Bike Trail and Go Ape, 17 miles. Cockermouth, 10 miles. Hadrian’s Wall, 16 miles. Keswick, 16 miles. Ullswater, 26 miles. Shops and restaurant 4 miles, pub 2 miles.

This traditional farmhouse provides an ideal holiday base with views across the countryside. It boasts many period and regional features: there is a Lakeland ‘keeping slab’ in the utility and a ‘Creole’ clothes rack in the kitchen. Spacious Lakeland accommodation, it has a large garden and wooded grounds that extend to over an acre, where wildlife is encouraged. Many footpaths which lead direct from the farmhouse to the shores of Coniston Lake, 1 mile, Duddon Valley and the Old Man of Coniston, with the whole of the Lake District easily accessible. There are some excellent rock climbing routes and this impressive landscape is popular with fell runners. Ambleside 10 miles and Lake Windermere just 14 miles away offer attractions, including The World of Beatrix Potter and the Windermere Steamboat Museum, as well as boat tours on the lake. Coniston, 2½ miles, for fishing and tennis. Ulverston, 12 miles, a market town which is also famous as the birthplace of Stan Laurel, whose life is celebrated at the Laurel and Hardy Museum. Other attractions include the Heritage Centre, glass factory and Hoad Monument, built on top of a hill and offering fine views of the bay and hills. Beach at Grange-over-Sands, 20 miles. Shop 2½ miles, pubs ½ mile.

Just 20 minutes from Windermere, these holiday properties are set in lovely countryside and ten acres of landscaped grounds, facing south, with wonderful long distance views to the sea, and to the hills beyond. This large country house is set on a wooded knoll and has been skilfully converted into six spacious holiday houses, which are owned by the Caravan Club Ltd and situated on the edge of one of their immaculately kept small touring caravan parks. The house consists of a two storey cottage wing (W42981), a first floor apartment (W42982), a ground floor garden apartment (W42983), two ground floor apartments (W42984 and W42986) and a first floor balcony apartment (W42985).
There’s a lot to see and do in the immediate area. Close by is beautiful Cartmel Priory and the stately homes at Holker Hall, Sizergh Castle and Levens Hall. 3 miles west along the coast is the refined small seaside town of Grange-over-Sands with lots of shops, golf and fishing. The properties make an excellent touring base for the whole of the southern Lake District. Shop 3 miles, pub with food 400 yards.

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.

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.