East Learmouth Lakeside Lodges

East Learmouth Lakeside Lodges sit on a large working estate in north Northumberland, a few miles from the Scottish border, with the lodges spread far enough apart around a lake that each one feels genuinely private. Every lodge has a hot tub and a decking area, check-in is self-service, and the draw is quiet: wildlife on the water, cattle in the fields and very little else.

For a dog the setting is excellent, and the fencing is the thing to ask about. Outdoor security varies from lodge to lodge. Some have gated decking and others do not, and the fencing that exists has had gaps wide enough for a small dog to squeeze through. The owner has a good record of sorting this out, including building a fence and fitting a gate at short notice when a guest arrived to find no secure area at all, so raise your dog's size and escape instincts at the point of booking rather than discovering the arrangement on the day.

Beyond the fencing this is a straightforward place to bring a dog. There are walks around the lake and across the estate from the door, the lodges are far enough apart that a barking dog is not an immediate problem for anyone else, and a cat has been accommodated here too, which is rare. The lakeside paths do collect a lot of swan and duck mess, which is worth knowing if your dog is the rolling type.

Two other things. The lake path is used by walkers who are not staying on site, so the hot tub area can feel less private than the seclusion suggests. And housekeeping has not been consistent: most guests describe the lodges as spotless, but there has been at least one stay where cleanliness fell well short, with cobwebs, dead flies and unclean robes and towels. With a 4.4/5 paw rating, East Learmouth suits couples wanting a quiet lakeside break with a dog who is reliable off the lead, or content on one in a big open landscape.