Dog-friendly Cumbria

Allonby has a great seaside heritage and an interesting past from tales of smugglers frequenting its shores, to its transformation as the regional centre for herring fishing. Walking around you can see reminders of its history and of its Victorian charm, with cobbled streets and narrow lanes. Fast forward a few hundred years and modern day Allonby offers a fantastic, 21st century beachside stay in a coastal village designated as an Area of Outstanding Beauty. 1 The Costins makes that stay just perfect.

This modern, semi-detached property, built in 2007, offers contemporary living and is a great property for your next Cumbrian getaway. This beautiful home, set over two floors, can accommodate up to four guests and features a spacious master bedroom on the first floor, as a well as a twin bedroom and a bathroom with shower over the bath. It would be perfect for one or two couples, and certainly great for families. Downstairs, the well equipped kitchen and modern living room features wooden floors and stylish furniture, meaning you will have everything you need to relax after a long day breathing in the fresh sea air. Your pets can come too, and the hard floors downstairs make it an ideal property for your companions to enjoy their holiday too! The property benefits from its own driveway for private parking, and if you want to bring along your bikes or water sports equipment, there is plenty of storage available in the lockable garage. At the rear of the property, there is a small enclosed patio complete with garden furniture which is perfect for soaking up the morning sun.

Step outside the property and you have a lovely tea room within 20 paces, and then cross the quiet road to the wonders of Allonby Beach. Its long stretching sandy bay is the perfect place to exercise your four-legged friends and to go exploring for shells with the children, the family will love it. Also across the road is a playground for children and a football field with goal posts. If you don’t feel like cooking after a long drive, there is a fish and chip shop across the road, 150 yards, and the local pub is just 100 yards. Allonby Beach offers spectacular views across the Solway Firth to the mountains of southern Scotland, and is located just 5 miles from Maryport if you are looking for more restaurants, shopping and pubs.

If you want a more rugged adventure, you are only a 10-mile drive from the Lake District National Park, where you can tackle any one of the 214 Wainwright walks. It is just 16 miles to the nearest lake, Bassenthwaite, home to the Lake District Wildlife Park with over 100 species of animals, which makes for a great family day out. It is also home to the Lakes Distillery, who produce local gin, whisky and vodka, and also offers tasting tours too. If you like the coast and beaches, 1 The Costins is a great choice for your next holiday. Beach 100 yards. Shop 50 yards, pub and restaurant 100 yards.

Once a hive of activity and frequented by smugglers, Allonby, with cobbled lanes, Victorian charm and a history of herring fishing, has a long standing seaside heritage. Porthole Cottage has its own place in history; this former stables used to house the village donkeys and commands a prominent position right on the beachside. Now converted, this stunning holiday home offers all the indulgences and stylish interior design you could hope for from a 21st century, seaside hideaway.
All on one level, Porthole Cottage comfortably sleeps up to six guests in two spacious double bedrooms and one twin bedded room, which makes it the perfect accommodation for couples and families. The property offers contemporary and tasteful décor but is still in keeping with its coastal beginnings; the round porthole that looks out to the village offers an ever-present reminder of this property’s seaside heritage. On sunny days, guests can enjoy sitting out in the courtyard garden, complete with table and chairs, or continue through the gate 50 yards to reach the famous Allonby Beach. After a long stroll along the shore, you can throw a couple of logs on the wood burner and put your feet up in front of the TV, while enjoying a wide range of movies and box-sets courtesy of Netflix, included at no extra charge. There is also an Amazon Alexa with unlimited music choice. The property benefits from lots of natural daylight, thanks to the roof light windows, and this continues throughout the property including the bathroom, where you can find a full size bath for a soak after a long day of exploring. A well equipped kitchen finishes off this stunning property.
This popular sleepy seaside village on the North West coast of Cumbria, nestled between Maryport and Silloth, has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The village shop and tea rooms are within easy reach on foot, as are the two village pubs, the first of which is just 50 yards across the road. With its long sandy beaches, Allonby offers great views over the Solway Firth to the mountains of Southern Scotland. For those seeking some more rugged outdoor adventure, this Cumbrian hotspot is only a 10 mile drive to the Lake District National Park and 16 miles to the nearest Lake, Bassenthwaite, home to the famous Lakes Distillery offering guided tours and tastings. The Lake District Wildlife Park, with over 100 species of exotic animals, makes a fun-filled day out for all ages. Beach 50 yards. Shop ¼ mile, pub and restaurant 100 yards.

Set on the edge of the Blaithwaite Estate, this is the perfect getaway for couples or a small family looking to explore the many wonderful sights and attractions that can be discovered nearby.

Overlooking woodlands and fields, Blaithwaite Cottage is nestled in 80-acres grounds. The patio doors from the living room open out onto a patio area, the perfect place to sit, watch and listen as you take in the many sounds of the neighbouring wildlife. South facing, you will find it hard to pull yourself away from here on a sunny day. The well-equipped kitchen has everything you need to make a hearty breakfast. Let the dishwasher do all the hard work for you as you head out to start you day. The utility room can take care of those wet, muddy clothes on damper days, and for a good night’s sleep, upstairs there are two comfortable bedrooms, one double and one twin, with sumptuous beds. No need for awkward queues in the morning as there are two shower rooms, one on each floor complete with heated towel rails for cosy warm towels.
Outside is a large mature garden, ideal for your children or the dog to play in, alongside parking for two cars and a bike store. You don’t have to go too far to explore, as the estate grounds offer a wealth of activities, available (at cost) are laser tag, or bushcraft, and seasonal event days. For something a little gentler (at no cost), play crazy golf, play on the play areas, and footie fields, take a walk around the woodland including a specialist arboretum and wetlands that you can explore, you can even grab the estate nature passport to assist with your exploring!
Set midway between the popular Lake District market town of Keswick, 18 miles and the historic city of Carlisle, 16 miles, steeped with Roman history from neighbouring Hadrian’s Wall and the prominent castle that has played garrison to soldiers for hundreds of years. The Solway Coast, 10 miles, forms a border between England and Scotland, and is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, considered to be one of the most scenic stretches of English coastline. Shop 1½ miles, pub 2 miles and restaurant 5 miles.
These properties can be booked together to accommodate larger groups.

Situated right in the heart of St Bees, these expertly designed holiday apartments are housed in a lovingly restored barn, each with its own unique style. Each apartment has been finished to a very good standard with quality fixtures and fittings throughout and they are situated at the entrance to a working farm. This beautiful part of Western Cumbria gives you the best of both worlds, access to St Bees Head Heritage Coast, designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is also the starting point of the Alfred Wainwrights famous Coast to Coast walk, as well as access to the Lake District National Park with an abundance of fells and lakes within a short drive. These modern apartments feature all the design elements you would expect from a 21st century holiday cottage. A lot of thought and care has gone into creating the perfect holiday experience with guest comfort top of the list of priorities.
The Byres Tan is a ground floor apartment, the largest of the four, and has the flexibility to be able to sleep up to three guests in two comfortable bedrooms, so it is great for couples and families alike. The first features a kingsize bed, and TV and offers plenty of storage. The second is a single room with TV and a good level of free space. The apartment has been decorated and furnished beautifully throughout and being all on one level makes it ideal for guests who are less mobile or those with small children. The underfloor heating throughout gives a warm and cosy feel which is just what you need after a long day of sightseeing. The bathroom is contemporary and features a large shower cubicle, while the open plan feel of the living, dining and kitchen area give a feeling of space and a very convenient layout.
The properties benefit from being only ¾ mile from a beautiful sandy beach which is perfect for a breath of fresh air and also good for exercising your four-legged friends. Dogs are welcome to come and stay and there is plenty of good walks locally. The centre of St Bees has an excellent selection of local pubs and restaurants and if you want to leave the car behind you can take the train to many local towns. St Bees station, a number of pubs, restaurants and the local convenience store are all within 200 yards of the property. The famous St Bees priory, dating back to the 11th century is well worth a visit and can be reached within a 5-minute walk. If you like outdoor adventure, including walking, cycling and climbing, you are surrounded by some amazing scenery and you are only a 10-mile drive from the Lake District National Park, your nearest lake is Ennerdale which is regarded as one of the most unspoilt and natural parts of the Lake District. It is teaming with wildlife including buzzards, red squirrels and osprey to name a few. If you want to climb the highest mountain in England you can reach Wasdale Head in just 18 miles, which gives you the shortest route to the summit of Scafell Pike. Or why not take a trip on the La’al Ratty which is a miniature steam railway along the South West Coast. For golfers, St Bees offers an excellent 9-hole links course. Beach ¾ mile. Shop 160 yards, pub 50 yards and restaurant 100 yards.
The Byres Tan can be booked together with The Byres Tethera (ref UK1373) and The Byres Methera (ref UK1374) to accommodate up to 7 guests.

This contemporary twist on a traditional, terraced, seaside property boasts stunning views of the sea and the northern Lake District Fells. It is situated in the quiet village of Allonby on the north west coast of Cumbria, once a hive of activity with smugglers operating along the Solway Estuary between Cumbria and Scotland. The narrow cobbled lanes and interesting architecture of this historic village offer a glimpse to its maritime past. By contrast, this modern and beautifully decorated holiday home is the complete polar opposite. Its combination of glass, oak, clean lines and modern furnishings give you the element of opulence you would expect from a 21st-century home from home.

Seascape Cottage comfortably sleeps up to four adults in two good sized bedrooms, each featuring a large TV. The master kingsize bedroom is on the first floor while the second floor houses a twin room with two large Velux windows, perfect for looking out to sea right along the western Cumbrian coastline and across the mountains of the nearby Lake District National Park. The property has been very well furnished with guest experience and comfort at the forefront of the renovation. It features a modern kitchen and bathroom with good quality appliances including a dishwasher, and a washing machine and tumble dryer in the utility room. Thanks to its south-facing aspect, the property boasts plenty of natural daylight and sun on the front of the property for most of the day. There is a small sitting-out area with garden furniture in which to enjoy the sunshine. But of course, the best bit is turn right out of the front gate and within 100 yards you’ll be on Allonby Beach. A long stretch of sandy beach to explore, enjoy the fresh air and exercise your four-legged friends. After all it’s their holiday too!

Located between Maryport and Silloth, this area has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Its long sandy beaches offering great views over the Solway Estuary to the mountains of Southern Scotland, gives an added dimension to this Cumbrian hotspot.Within a few hundred yards you have a tearoom, a great pub serving food and real ale, a famous ice-cream shop and a kid’s playing field with climbing frames and football goals. For those seeking some more rugged outdoor adventure, you’re only a 10-mile drive to the Lake District National Park. The nearest lake, Bassenthwaite, is just 16 miles and home to the famous Lakes Distillery with guided tours and tastings, and The Lake District Wildlife Park with over 100 species of exotic animals, makes it a fun-filled day out for all ages. Beach 100 yards. Shop 350 yards, pub and restaurant 175 yards.

This property offers a great location close to Whitehaven town centre, a bustling harbour with many tourist attractions. Kingswood is ideal for a family get-together or celebration and also offers easy access to excellent beaches and the Lake District National Park.
This spacious detached property commands an excellent position and is close enough to walk into the town centre. Thanks to the bed configuration it provides a range of flexibility that will suit multiple couples and also families of multi-generations. On the first floor there is a kingsize bedroom with a high spec en-suite shower room. There is also a spacious double room, a spacious twin and a fourth bedroom with bunk beds. Finally there is a large contemporary bathroom with walk-in shower and bath. The ground floor offers a spacious open plan living/dining room with a wood burner and flatscreen TV. Thanks to the high ceilings and layout of this property, it is light, bright and airy but also has a great social feel as the living areas bring everyone together, ideal for a bottle of wine, a bucket of popcorn and a movie night after a long day on the fells. The high spec kitchen with range cooker and patio doors leading to the rear garden and decking, ideal for socialising. Overall, this period property has many original features and has been carefully furnished to keep some of the original character.
Whitehaven has a wide range of restaurants, bars, coffee shops, eateries and takeaways, three major supermarkets and a selection of independent shops as well as the usual high street brands and large retail stores. You won’t go short of places to eat and drink on holiday with plenty of pubs and restaurants nearby. Whitehaven’s harbour has undergone major investment and development and is home to The Beacon Museum with interactive displays. You can tour The Rum Story attraction and find out all about the history of The Jefferson family from the original 1785 shop. The town also has an indoor public swimming pool, gym, sports centre, 1½ miles and golf course, 1¾ miles if you’re feeling energetic. A trip to this part of the world would not be complete without visiting St. Bees Head and the long sandy beaches 4¾ miles. St Bees is also the starting point of Alfred Wainwright’s Coast to Coast walk and has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
If you like walking, climbing and exploring the Lakeland Fells, you won’t be disappointed. A 5-mile drive and you’ll reach the Lake District National Park where you have an abundance of walks, cycle routes, wildlife, mountains and lakes. The nearest lake is Wasdale with Scar Fell Pike at the head of it. Ennerdale Water, 6 miles, is widely regarded as one of the most unspoilt areas of the Lake District and is teaming with wildlife including indigenous red squirrels, osprey and buzzards. If that’s not enough, Loweswater, 13 miles, which leads to Crummock Water and then Buttermere, is well worth a visit. The scenery around this unspoilt part of the Lake District is stunning and the panoramic views are a sight to behold. Whether you want an easy stroll, a challenging walk or a serious climb, you have got a great base to start your adventures. Beach 4¾ miles. Shop, pub and restaurant ¼ mile.

Bell Hill Cottage is a very spacious ground floor apartment set in the lovely village of Lindale. A stone’s throw away from the local village pub makes it great for enjoying an evening drink or dinner and leaving your car at home.
Bell Hill Cottage is a period property boasting large rooms, the spacious double bedroom is up just two small steps and there is a separate dining room, kitchen and living room with a comfy sofa bed. The small utility area takes you to the back door opening onto a private courtyard with garden furniture and there are steps up to a small garden to enjoy.
Lindale is better known as the gateway to the south Lake District. With easily accessible routes from the M6 and A590, you are not far from anywhere. Just 2 miles down the road and you can find the popular Edwardian seaside resort town of Grange-over-Sands, with an abundance of shops, pubs and cafes; there is plenty to see and do. If visiting the seaside is of interest to you, why not head a little bit further out to Roanhead Beach near Ulverston or Humphrey Head?
Other close by popular towns include Cartmel, 4 miles, a traditional Cumbrian village famous for its sticky toffee pudding and race course. The towns of Kendal, 12 miles, Windermere, 13 miles, and Coniston, 20 miles, all have plenty to offer. The south Lake District is only a 10-minute drive away, with Newby Bridge nearby which is home to the Lakes Aquarium.
Whilst most people visit the area to walk, there are plenty of other outdoor activities on offer. There is a golf course within 2 miles, a leisure centre with swimming pool at Kendal, 12 miles, and at Grizedale Forest, 13 miles, there is mountain biking, Segways and the Go Ape treetop adventure. Other popular activities include climbing, fell running and watersports. Offering something for everyone, this is a great base from which to explore all that this beautiful part of the country has to offer. Beach 1½ miles. Pub and restaurant ¼ mile. Shop 2 miles.

This spacious detached bungalow, features two well-appointed bedrooms, perfect for a restful night’s sleep. The master offers a kingsize bed and a spacious en-suite shower room, while the twin room has full sized single beds (that can be zipped together to make a super kingsize bed) making Highland Cottage an excellent choice for couples and families. Being all on one level makes it a good option for guests who are less mobile or for younger children. The open plan living/dining room gets plenty of natural daylight and has comfortable seating, ideal for a cosy night in front of the TV watching Netflix or a Sunday roast to remember. Of course being so close to such a fantastic town, you may not want to cook at all! This large plot comes complete with an enclosed garden which has a greenhouse and fruit trees, a large driveway, plenty of parking and a garage that is great for storing bikes or similar sized equipment. To the rear is a conservatory with comfy sofa for you to enjoy views of the garden.
Situated in an elevated position with views of the coastline, Highland Cottage is just 1 mile from Whitehaven which has a wide range of great restaurants, bars, coffee shops, fast food and takeaways, three major supermarkets and a selection of independent shops, as well as the usual high street brands and large retail stores. In fact you won’t go short of places to eat and drink on holiday with plenty of pubs and restaurants nearby. Whitehaven’s harbour has undergone major investment and development in the last ten years and is home to The Beacon Museum with interactive displays. You can tour The Rum Story attraction and find out all about the history of the Jefferson family from the original 1785 shop. The town also has an indoor public swimming pool, gym, sports centre and golf course, 1¾ miles, if you’re felling energetic.
A trip to this part of the world wouldn’t be complete without visiting St Bees Head and the long sandy beaches. St Bees is also the starting point of Alfred Wainwright’s Coast to Coast Walk and has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. If you’ve come on holiday for walking, climbing and to explore the Lakeland Fells, you won’t be disappointed. A 5-mile drive and you will reach the Lake District National Park where you have an abundance of walks, cycle routes, wildlife, mountains and lakes. Your nearest lake is Ennerdale Water, 6 miles, which is widely regarded as one of the most unspoilt areas of the Lake District and is teaming with wildlife, including indigenous red squirrels, osprey and buzzards. If that’s not enough, Loweswater, 13 miles, which leads to Crummock Water and then Buttermere, which is well worth a visit. The scenery around this unspoilt part of the Lakes is stunning and the panoramic views are a sight to behold. Whether you want an easy stroll, a challenging walk or a serious climb, you have got a great base to start your adventures. Beach 6 miles. Shop 1 mile, pub and restaurant ¾ mile.
Other places of interest nearby are Cockermouth (Wordsworth and Fletcher Christian of Bounty fame), Muncaster Castle (birds of prey, Tom Fool) and Keswick.

This attractive, terraced seaside cottage has all the ingredients for a coastal escape to remember. Situated in the historic seaside village of Allonby on the Solway Firth. The narrow cobbled pathways and interesting architecture of this historic Victorian village offer a glimpse to its maritime past. Overlooking the Solway Estuary between Cumbria and Scotland, Allonby was once a hive of activity with smugglers and also a prominent trading point for fishermen. Today Allonby is quiet, relaxing and you too can create your own adventure from this beautifully presented cottage.
With tasteful furnishings and excellent interior design, you will instantly feel at home. Kirkeway comfortably sleeps up to four adults in two double bedrooms, each offering open views to the front making this property perfect for couples and families. The modern bathroom has been finished to a very good standard and features a large shower cubicle. On the ground floor you are welcomed with a cosy living room complete with subtle reminders of its seaside heritage. The open plan kitchen and dining area is well equipped and features all the modern facilities you would expect from a 21st century holiday cottage. Perfect for preparing a family feast, but with a couple of pubs/restaurants on your doorstep in the village as cooking may be the last thing you want to do! The best bit about this cottage is that 50 yards from the front door, with no roads to cross, you’ll be able to enjoy Allonby Beach. A long stretch of sandy beach to explore, enjoy the fresh air and exercise your four-legged friends.
Allonby has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is located between Maryport and Silloth. With long sandy beaches offering great views over the Solway Estuary to the mountains of southern Scotland, it gives an added dimension to this popular Cumbrian holiday destination. Within a few hundred yards you have a lovely village café, a couple of great pubs serving food and local ales, a famous ice-cream shop and a kids playing field with climbing frames and football goals. You are only a 10-mile drive to the Lake District National Park with fantastic walking, climbing and off road cycling for even the keenest of outdoor adventurer. You are just 16 miles to the nearest lake, Bassenthwaite, home to the famous Lakes Distillery offering guided tours and tastings. The Lake District Wildlife Park, with over 100 species of exotic animals, makes for a fun-filled day out for all ages. Whether you like the coast, the lakes and mountains, or just relaxing and unwinding on holiday, you can have it all at Kirkeway. What are you waiting for? Beach 50 yards. Shop 500 yards, pub and restaurant 450 yards.

Shore Meadow is a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Set just 150 yards from a beautiful, secluded sandy beach and enjoying an idyllic position in this tranquil, south-western corner of the Lakes where the mountains almost meet the sea. This semi-detached cottage is a short walk from the peaceful village centre of Silecroft. It has stunning westerly views over the Irish Sea to the Isle of Man and easterly views to Black Combe Fell. The beach extends for miles in both directions and is perfect for dog walking, lazy days building sandcastles or taking to the sea for fishing.

Shore Meadow has two double bedrooms and has been furnished and equipped to provide a really comfortable stay. There is a spacious breakfast kitchen which opens to a patio area with outside furniture, a large living room with two sofas and a wood burner, plus a separate dining room with French doors to the garden. There is also a large, enclosed, lawned garden, ideal for young children and dogs, and private parking for two cars.

Black Combe, the closest of the Lake District Fells, is only 2 miles away, and all of the westerly fells, including Scafell and Scafell Pike, are within easy reach, offering great walking for all abilities. Nearby attractions include Cumbria Heavy Horses, a BHS approved riding centre offering fell and beach rides on Clydesdale and Shire horses; water sports centre at Port Haverigg; South Lakeland Wild Animal Park, home to tigers, lions, white rhino, giraffes and lots of monkeys; historic Muncaster Castle, with stunning gardens and many seasonal events, also home of the World Owl Trust, and Ravenglass and Eskdale Narrow Gauge Railway, where you can ride a steam train through some of the most beautiful scenery in the Lake District. A farm shop and gallery at nearby Bootle also offers breakfasts, lunches and afternoon teas. Short, beautiful drives take you to Coniston, with the Ruskin Museum which houses geology and copper mining exhibits; the boating centre and Bluebird Café, or Whitehaven, Cumbria’s oldest harbour, where the Rum Story exhibition gives a fresh view on the town, and The Beacon Museum, with five floors of interactive exhibits, powerful telescopes and seafaring displays, providing a fun family day out. Beach 150 yards. Shop 50 yards, pub and restaurant ¾ mile.