Park View, Windermere

Park View is a compact ground-floor apartment in the heart of Bowness-on-Windermere, and it has quietly become a favourite bolthole for couples travelling with a dog. Its biggest draw for pet owners is the enclosed garden, a private and safe spot where a small dog can potter about or sit out with you on a fine evening, which is a real rarity in a town-centre flat.

The property welcomes one well-behaved dog, and guests travelling with pets consistently describe an easy, no-fuss stay. Many mention a thoughtful welcome pack on arrival, owners who are helpful when needed, and a spotlessly clean interior kitted out with everything you need for a self-catering week. A practical plus that comes up again and again is the dedicated parking space right by the door, which is genuinely valuable in Bowness where parking is otherwise a headache.

Location is where Park View really earns its keep for dog owners. It sits just a few minutes' walk from the centre of Bowness, the lake, and a good scattering of dog-friendly pubs, with The Albert and The Royal Oak the two that guests name most often. Lakeland walks begin more or less from the doorstep, so you can leave the car parked all week and still keep an active dog happy.

One honest caveat: this is a small, cosy apartment, closer to a studio than a roomy one-bedroom, so it suits one couple and one small-to-medium dog rather than a larger party or an excitable working breed that needs a lot of indoor space. The garden is enclosed but modest, and partly shaded by mature trees.

If you want a clean, well-placed base for a lakeside break with a small dog, close to walks, water and dog-friendly pubs, Park View is an easy recommendation, and the number of guests who return year after year tells its own story.