48 Oak Street, Windermere

48 Oak Street is a spacious townhouse in the centre of Windermere, and its strongest suit for dog owners is location. It sits within an easy walk of the town's shops, cafes and the train and bus stations, so it makes a genuinely convenient Lake District base, especially for larger groups: several parties of seven or eight, dog included, found plenty of room to spread out with a bit of privacy when they wanted it.

One well-behaved dog is welcome, and there is a small courtyard that some guests found handy for the dog. It is worth knowing, though, that the outdoor space is limited: at least one guest found the back gate fenced off, so they could not simply let the dog out at the rear, which is worth checking if quick garden access matters to you. With the fells and lakeside walks a short drive or walk away, most owners are out and about with their dog rather than relying on the courtyard.

The honest weak spot, and it comes up in more than one review, is cleanliness. While several guests found the house perfectly clean, others arrived to dog hair on the sofas, dusty surfaces, cobwebs or the odd bit of dirty crockery, and a couple mentioned tired decor. It reads as inconsistent housekeeping between changeovers rather than a fundamental problem with the house, but it is fair to flag, so give it a once-over on arrival and raise anything with the manager promptly.

48 Oak Street suits dog owners and larger groups who prize a central, walkable Windermere location and plenty of space, and who are relaxed about a bit of variability in the finish. Confirm the pet charge and the number of dogs allowed when you book.