Nest Barn, Keswick

Nest Barn is a converted barn on a farm just outside Keswick, let as a whole self-catering cottage, and it is one of the more thoughtfully set up places in the northern Lakes for a holiday with a dog. The big draw is outdoor space you don't have to share: an enclosed courtyard and garden by the door, and a secure field where dogs can run off the lead. Guests with dogs keep coming back to that field, and several point out how rare it is for a dog-friendly let to have somewhere properly fenced to let them out.

Inside, the owners have thought about the dog as well as the people. Guests mention bowls, a towel, a few treats and poo bags waiting on arrival, and the cottage itself is described again and again as spotless, warm and well equipped. The owners get warm words too, for answering questions quickly and for leaving notes on the walks that start from the door.

Those walks are a large part of the appeal. You can head straight out onto the fells from the barn, Castlerigg stone circle is within walking distance, and Keswick is a short drive or bus ride away when you want a pub or the lakeshore. The view from the large picture window looks across the valley towards Helvellyn, and plenty of guests say they could happily have sat and watched it all day.

There are a few things to know before booking. Dogs cannot be left alone in the cottage, even in a crate, and one guest only found that out by email after booking, so plan days out around your dog. One dog found the stairs hard going. The water pressure drops if more than one tap or shower runs at once, and a couple of guests found the beds on the firm side.

For a walking holiday near Keswick with a dog that loves to run, this is an easy place to recommend, and plenty of guests with dogs have already booked their next stay.