Balkcote Ground Floor Cosy Apartment

Balkcote is a ground-floor holiday apartment in the small County Durham village of Romaldkirk, a few miles down the dale from Middleton-in-Teesdale, and its shape suits dogs about as well as a self-catering let can. Everything is on one level, so there are no stairs to negotiate with an older or arthritic dog, there is a garden attached to the flat where a dog can be let out, and a public footpath starts more or less outside the door for the last walk of the day. Bookings take one pet.

Guests travelling with dogs describe it as cosy in the literal sense: small, warm and thoroughly equipped, with plenty of hot water for washing muddy legs after a day on the fells and fresh milk and juice left in the fridge on arrival. It is a practical set-up rather than a luxurious one, and the reviews that mention dogs tend to come from walkers who wanted somewhere quiet to come back to.

Romaldkirk itself is built around a village green that dog owners rate highly for a quick loop, and the Rose and Crown, a well-regarded dog-friendly pub serving food, is a couple of hundred yards away. Barnard Castle is a short drive, and Upper Teesdale, High Force and the wider Pennine footpath network are all within easy reach.

Two things to weigh up. The apartment is genuinely compact, which is fine for one or two people and a dog but would be tight for more, and there is a flat above with noticeable sound transfer in both directions. Guests with dogs have mentioned both hearing the neighbours and worrying about disturbing them, so a dog that barks at footsteps overhead may be unsettled here. Dog waste bins are also not easy to find nearby, so bring bags and expect to carry. On balance Balkcote earns a 4.6/5 paw rating, and it is at its best for one or two walkers with a single well-settled dog who want a quiet, level, good-value base for Teesdale.