Cottage 2, Old Farmhouse Mews

Cottage 2 sits in the heart of Braithwaite, a small Lakeland village a couple of miles west of Keswick, and it makes an easy base for anyone bringing a dog to the Northern Lakes. The whole cottage is yours - a self-catering Entire House rental rather than a room in a shared building - which removes the corridors, lifts and other-guest worries that come with a conventional dog-friendly hotel. Walks start more or less at the door and the village pub is a short stroll away.

Guests travelling with dogs have been positive about the location above all else. The footpaths around Braithwaite and the wider Coledale and Whinlatter valleys mean a dog can be exercised without driving anywhere, and the village setting is quiet enough that a settled dog will not be over-stimulated by traffic or crowds. The cottage is repeatedly described as good value and well equipped for short self-catering stays, which suits owners who would rather cook in than hunt down a dog-friendly restaurant every evening.

A couple of practical notes are worth passing on. The postcode can send sat-navs slightly astray, so it pays to check the approach before you arrive, and parking is tight for larger vehicles - something to weigh if you travel with a big estate or van plus a crate. Floors and furnishings are described as clean and basic rather than plush, which is usually what dog owners prefer anyway.

Braithwaite's pub, The Royal Oak, is within walking distance, and the village works well as a launch point for low-level dog walks as well as bigger fell days for those who want them. Cottage 2 will suit owners of calm, well-behaved dogs looking for a simple, good-value self-catering base close to the Keswick honeypot but a step back from its busyness.