Dog-friendly Cumbria

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.

Originally a traditional early 19th century Lakeland farm, Yew Tree Farm has been converted into a cosy, ground floor cottage, perfect for families and friends wanting to escape to the countryside. The cottage has a large gravelled yard area providing ample parking, as well as a place for children and dogs to play. Adjacent to the cottage is Yew Tree Barn, hosting many wonderful antiques and crafts, as well as Harry’s café, voted Cumbria’s café of the year for 2022.

The cottage is all open plan, offering a large living/dining/kitchen area with seating for six. The living area is well-furnished with an open fire and easy seating to relax and enjoy quality time together. The space also comprises a dining area with a table generously seating six, and a well-equipped kitchen complete with a range cooker. Past the kitchen along the hallway are two double bedrooms and a family bathroom. Further along the ‘L’ shaped building is a third bedroom with twin beds, a shower room and a large utility room – perfect for washing those mucky paws and leaving your boots and walking gear.

Bypassed from the A590, the tiny hamlet of Low Newton lies just inside the Lake District National Park. Its peaceful setting beneath the fells of South Lakeland provides the perfect base from which to explore the Lakes and the Cumbrian coast. Low Newton is also well served for good local places to eat and drink. Within walking distance at High Newton is Heft, a gastropub, opened in 2022, that has already earned national recognition, while a mile away is the friendly Royal Oak in Lindale. Three miles away is the village of Cartmel, the foodie capital of the South Lakes, famous for its sticky toffee pudding and the renowned Michelin three-starred restaurant L’Enclume. Also three miles away is Grange-over-Sands, a charming and genteel Victorian seaside town with a range of shops amply meeting the needs of any holidaymaker.
Nearest beach is 12 miles, shops 3 miles, restaurant and pub ½ mile.

Rubbing shoulders with prestigious properties in Storrs Park – a location known locally as ‘millionaires row’, Granton Lodge is a detached former lodge house set back on the edge of the manicured gardens of a substantial lakeside property. This fabulous location allows guests views of Lake Windermere across the neighbouring properties and the beautiful sunsets to be enjoyed this side of the lake. A typical early 20th century Lakeland lodge, the property has been sympathetically extended with the loft offering a spacious master suite enjoying lake views. Granton Lodge has elegant good looks, both inside and out, and careful attention to detail in offering guests well-presented comfortable accommodation.
Just a short drive from the centre of Bowness, Storrs Park is ideally placed to enjoy walks from the door to take advantage of its particularly picturesque location. The nearby Hawkshead ferry crossing offers easy access to the west of the lake and nearby typical Lakeland villages offer pubs with open fires, good beer and menus taking advantage of the excellent locally sourced produce. Head into Bowness, for an eclectic mix of shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants. Set on the edge of Lake Windermere, Bowness has a truly Lakeland feel and stunning views across the lake throughout the year. A wander up the hill from Bowness to Windermere offers guests further shops, many fine independent retailers, and an excellent choice of eateries. Shop 2 miles, pub 1 mile and restaurant 200 yards.

A beautiful ground-floor apartment in the heart of Cockermouth and right next to the River Cocker with direct river views. This waterside abode comes with stylish interior décor, tiled floors throughout, along with a private parking space and a short walk into the delightful town centre. It features two comfortable double bedrooms making it ideal for families and couples. Handmade, built-in wardrobes make smart use of the space and gives them a contemporary feel and finish. The open-plan living areas combine a spacious living room and dining room with a stylish kitchen, with all the cooking utensils you may need. A very social space; perfect for spending time with loved ones. The bathroom offers a shower over the bath and a heated towel rail.
From the open-plan living area, patio doors lead to lovely balcony and seating area with direct river views. You can enjoy a chilled glass of wine while listening to the sound of the River Cocker rushing past. You can also spot plenty of wildlife. It’s the perfect backdrop for your next Cumbrian adventure.
If you want a town centre holiday base, it’s perfect! Just under a 5-minute walk to Main Street, which is full of independent shops, cafés, restaurants, and pubs. Cockermouth is a hidden gem and a great choice for a short break in The Lakes, as well as an ideal base for a longer stay as you can reach nearby Keswick in about 20 minutes. If you love the outdoors, you have a fishery and a golf course nearby as well as plenty of local walks and cycle trails. A trip to Cumbria wouldn’t be the same without putting on your walking boots and enjoying the picturesque scenery of the Northern Fells and Lakes. From here you can also reach the West Cumbrian Coast in less than 10 miles.
If you want to bring your dog on holiday, there are plenty of places to exercise your four-legged friends.

All five lodges are open plan and offer ground floor accommodation, with one double bedroom, one twin bedroom and a walk-in shower. There is a private hot tub and terrace for each lodge, overlooking landscaped grounds, and parking for two cars.
If you plan to explore, there are lots of activities right on your doorstep. The South Lakes Safari Zoo is only a 10-minute drive away and is one of Cumbria’s most popular tourist attractions! Ulverston is just a 5-minute drive away, a busy market town inundated with old historic buildings and cobbled streets, and is the start of the 70-mile Cumbrian Way.
You are spoilt for choice on places to explore in the surrounding areas. Barrow-in-Furness is a short drive away, a large town with plenty of shopping, bars, restaurants, cinema and a golf course. Both Walney Island and Newby Bridge are a 20-minute drive away, and at Newby Bridge you’ll find the home of the Lakes Aquarium and Windermere Lake cruises, offering boat rides across England’s largest lake.
Ulverston is a great base for a gateway into the lakes so whether you are planning to enjoy walking a few of the 214 Wainwright fells, cycling the fantastic roads nearby or driving over to many other popular towns around Cumbria including Ambleside, Coniston, Bowness-on-Windermere and Windermere, you are spoilt for choice! Beach 4 miles. Shop 2 miles, pub and restaurant 1 mile.

The moment you walk into this rustic style timber lodge you’ll feel a sense of warmth and homeliness. The open plan living/dining/kitchen area is comfortable and has all the mod cons you need with cooker, dishwasher, microwave, and large TV, but chances are you won’t be spending time watching TV or Netflix, you’ll more than likely be trying to spot the red squirrels and deer that often roam around the grounds. There are two bedrooms, a master with a double bed and dressing table and the second has twin beds. The lodge is completed by a family bathroom with a shower. In the shed outside there are also a washer and dryer in case of those muddy fun days. The lodge is located in a park where all properties are privately owned and so has a real non-commercial feel. Guests are offered access to a small swimming pool and mixed sauna at certain times of the year, but the location of the park is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts with some superb walks at the edge of the park.

Neaum Crag at Skelwith Bridge is conveniently located between Coniston and Ambleside, two of the most popular locations in the Lakes. Ambleside boasts a wide selection of independent shops, pubs, restaurants and not one, but two cinemas. Waterhead Pier runs ferries which can be taken to Bowness and Lakeside pier near Newby Bridge, Wray Castle, and Brockhole Visitor Centre. Motor and rowing boats are available if you wish to take to the water. National Trust owned Stagshaw Gardens, offers eight acres of fine gardens with a wide variety of plants, trees and shrubs, and for more impressive natural features there is Stock Ghyll Force, a spectacular 70-foot waterfall which may be viewed safely from a railed viewpoint. Coniston is a few minutes’ drive in the other direction and as well as the town with its shops and pubs, there is Coniston water, which is popular for activities such as canoes, paddle boards and open water swimming. Beach 25 miles. Pub ½ mile.

Penfold is a spacious and comfortable well furnished property found in the charming small village of Dockray, close to Ullswater. Walk straight out on to the fells from the cottage door, or go pony trekking and see the sights from a different angle. Enjoy boating and sailing on Ullswater, or take in the magnificent scenery on a launch trip up the lake. This region offers something for everyone, whichever season you choose to visit, in the winter months why not join the Lake District ski club.
Dockray has its own pub to wander down to for some local fayre. The gorgeous Aira Force Waterfall is a short walk away, further away are the ample attractions of the Northern Lake District around Ullswater. Energetic pursuits abound, with cycling a particularly good option, or maybe try the National Trust’s walk around Aira Force, Gowbarrow Trail or Ullswater way. In a tranquil location, this beautifully finished conversion is an ideal spot for a couple or two to enjoy a Lake District break. Shop 4 miles, pub and restaurant 100 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.

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.

Castle Hill Cottage is surrounded by the spectacular scenery of the North Lake District National Park. Located in Bassenthwaite near Keswick, this delightful, detached holiday cottage has been traditionally constructed, providing comfortable accommodation in a peaceful location. It has enviable views across the surrounding pastureland towards the Lakeland Fells with excellent walking and cycling from the doorstep.

Bassenthwaite Lake is a short stroll away, whilst the market towns of Keswick and Cockermouth are just 7 miles away. There is a leisure centre with a pool within 200 yards. Regular visitors to the Keswick area will know that this popular market town has everything from fine dining and wine bars to traditional Lakeland pubs and restaurants, excellent shopping experiences, tourist attractions and some of the most stunning scenery around.

Whether you’re looking for a rugged mountainous adventure, leisurely walking or cycle routes, water sports and picturesque scenery, or just some much needed rest and relaxation, this area has it all, and Castle Hill Cottage gives you the perfect holiday base.

The detached property comprises of a living room with wood burner and antique furnishings, alongside a dining room with electric fire in traditional wood surround. Step down to the well-equipped kitchen with Aga (for cooking), breakfast area and French doors to garden. Also on the ground floor is a boiler/drying room and a separate toilet.

Up a flight of steep stairs is the first floor, where you’ll find three comfortable bedrooms, comprising a double bedroom with views across lake to the Lakeland Fells, a double bedroom with views of Binsey, and a twin bedroom. There are also two bathrooms, one with shower over corner bath, and the other featuring a roll-top bath and shower attachment, and separate shower cubicle. Shop 7 miles, pub 1 mile.