Dog-friendly Cumbria

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.

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.

Curlew Cottage is ideally located between Allonby and Silloth on the Cumbrian west coast, with exceptional views onto the Irish Sea and further to the Scottish coastline. Surrounded by the Solway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty you have some of the finest sand dunes in the area. This area is also part of a site of specific scientific interest as the neighbouring dunes are home to rare animals like the natterjack toad. The surrounding dune grasslands and beach are also very important for birds like Curlews, Oystercatchers, stonechat and many more for breeding and roosting, making this area perfect for nature and bird watchers alike. If your lucky you could even stumble across the submerged forest, dating back over 8000yrs, it is thought to be pine or oak which has been hidden off the coast by the sea.

The cottage itself is very traditional for the area, with many features to show off. There are 4 good sized bedrooms allowing up to 6 people to use the property for their coastal adventure or even just a get-away holiday. With a good sized garden at the rear and towards the sea you will be able to sit out on an evening and watch the sunsets with the coastline just a minutes walk. There is a covered seating area in the garden. The cottage is set among four other houses and is away from the road giving you peace of mind with both children and dogs.

With only a handful of other properties nearby you will be able to enjoy a peaceful Cumbrian holiday while also being only 30-minutes drive from the Lake District National Park where the dizzying heights of Blencathra, Skiddaw and Grisedale Pike could be your next walking destination, you may even fancy a boat trip on Ullswater, Derwentwater or Bassenthwaite Lake, all within easy reach from Curlew Cottage. Village pub within 1 mile. There is a cycle way passing the property from Maryport to Allonby and part way to Silloth.

As soon as you drive up to the front of this spectacular 18th-century house you get a sense of the time gone by, this unique property will wow you with its charming eccentric décor combined with period features but also modern comforts and amenities. Outside the exterior of the property is equally impressive set in an extensive mature garden and has two bridges leading across a large beck to a wooded area full of wildflowers, birds, hedgehogs, and numerous insects. There are nuthatches, tree creepers, herons, an occasional woodpecker as well as all the more common birds.
Peacefully situated just off Lowick village green and with open access to Lowick Common, you can enjoy fantastic walks over the fell to the Beacon with its 360” views of the surrounding mountains and sea. Early morning is the time to spot the roe deer, birds of prey and sometimes the odd hare. The property is within a short drive to the charming village of Coniston, a popular Lake district destination, which offers a selection of independent shops, pubs and cafés, the ideal place to reward yourself with a well-earned rest and drink after conquering the peak of ‘Coniston Old Man’.
Lowick also offers easy access to the market town of Ulverston with its cobbled streets and regular selection of festivals throughout the year, including the popular Dickensian Christmas market and the comedy and music of ‘Another Fine Fest’ which is in tribute to Stan Laurel, half of the timeless comedy duo, Laurel & Hardy, who was born in Ulverston.
This is a great base to explore the South Lakes area, whether that be for walking or cycling (bike and electric bike hire is available next door to Lowick House by visiting www.lakedistrictbikes.com). The South Lakes area has something for everyone whether you’re a family looking for great days out at the Safari Zoo, Go Ape, Escape rooms, Segways, Lakes Aquarium or a group of friends looking for a day at the races, Michelin star restaurants, museums, galleries or simply some great pubs. It’s all within easy reach.

Nestled amidst beautiful scenery, affording panoramic views across the sea and unrivalled sunsets, this spacious retreat offers comfort and relaxation for an unforgettable getaway, where dogs are warmly welcomed to join the adventure.
Upon entering, guests are welcomed into a generously proportioned hallway, from which all rooms effortlessly unfold, and with large glass doors leading to a secure patio. The kitchen, equipped with modern conveniences and featuring a convenient breakfast bar, seamlessly flows into the dining area, where ample seating awaits to enjoy meals with panoramic views across Morecambe Bay. The living room beckons with its plush seating arrangement, Smart TV, and uninterrupted sea panoramas, inviting relaxation and tranquillity. The master bedroom exudes elegance with its kingsize bed, ample storage, and an en-suite shower room for added convenience. A second bedroom, furnished with twin beds, provides flexibility for guests, while the adjacent bathroom offers a rejuvenating bath with a shower overhead. The third bedroom boasts a spacious layout, complete with a kingsize bed and abundant storage, along with captivating vistas. Outside, a large balcony adorned with glass balustrades awaits, offering a perfect spot to savour woodland views while indulging in al fresco dining or simply unwinding with a glass of wine.
Dunlin Haven nestles in Sandside, close to Storth and Arnside, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, catering to nature enthusiasts, bird watchers, and outdoor adventurers. The area is ideal for cycling, providing easy access to scenic routes. Nearby Arnside boasts cafés, shops, and pubs, including a popular fish and chip shop. Just a short drive away, Milnthorpe offers amenities like supermarkets and eateries.
Levens Hall and Gardens, known for its historic gardens and café, is a 10-minute drive away. The local caravan park at Silverdale is also worth a visit, offering relaxation amenities like a gentle swim, sauna, steam room, and Jacuzzi for ultimate holiday relaxation, especially on rainy days. With convenient access to the A6, the Lake District, including Bowness and Windermere, is within 30 minutes’ reach, while the Yorkshire Dales, Morecambe, and Lancaster are equidistant. This location serves as an ideal base for exploring the beauty of both regions. Moreover, it’s a perfect place for dog walking, with most cafés, pubs, and restaurants welcoming furry friends. Beach 1 mile.