Fell Foot, Holmrook

Fell Foot is a big, characterful family house at Santon Bridge in the quieter western Lake District, and dog owners love it for its huge garden and easy access to the fells. It holds a 4.4/5 paw rating and takes up to two pets.

The mature garden is enormous, with lawns, flowerbeds and a stream running through it, and dogs spend hours exploring it. A large boot room doubles as a place for wet dogs to dry off and tired ones to sleep, with plenty of space to hang muddy coats. The welcome basket usually includes something for the dogs too, such as treats or bones, alongside bread, milk and cake for everyone else.

The house sleeps eight or more comfortably, with a log burner, an eight-person hot tub with fell views, games, books and even a piano. The housekeeper is local and quick to help, whether with a power cut or a lock-out.

Walks start from the door, and Irton Pike is just up the road for wide views. The village pub, which welcomes dogs and serves good food, and a cafe and gift shop are a few minutes on foot. Wastwater, Eskdale and the Ravenglass and Eskdale steam railway are all close, and guests found almost everywhere they went to be dog friendly.

A few things to bear in mind. Sheep graze in the surrounding fields and there is a cattle grid at the front of the property, which at least one determined dog has managed to cross, so keep an eye on escape artists. The stream makes the garden better suited to older children than toddlers. The decor is a little dated in places, and the lanes around Santon Bridge are narrow, with occasional reversing to let others pass.

For large families or groups of friends exploring the western Lakes with a dog or two, Fell Foot is a generous, welcoming base.