Quietways

Quietways is a detached 3-bedroom bungalow in Portinscale, a small village just outside Keswick in the northern Lake District. With 3 confirmed pet-traveller reviews on dogfriendlycottages.co.uk averaging 4.7/5 paws (all positive, including one returning guest on their third or fourth visit specifically for the dog-friendly garden), it's one of the strongest pet-friendly options in the Keswick area for families travelling with up to two dogs.

The standout feature is the enclosed rear garden, which guests have consistently called out as 'secure' with 'no worries about the dogs escaping'. That's a meaningful difference from generic pet-friendly cottages where 'enclosed' often means 'partially fenced'. The garden has furniture for evenings outside and direct access from the property without crossing a road, so you can let the dog out without supervising every move.

The pet policy is generous: two dogs welcome with no per-night fee, no breed or size restrictions disclosed. Service animals are welcome. Pets are allowed throughout the property rather than restricted to a particular room or zone, which suits older dogs who may not handle stairs (the bungalow layout is ground floor only anyway).

Inside, the property has been recently refurbished: new kitchen and carpets in 2024. The layout works well for a family or two-couple group: one kingsize bedroom plus two twin rooms, two bathrooms (one en-suite to the main bedroom), a separate dining room, and a sunny conservatory that's a popular evening spot for guests with dogs. Modern kitchen appliances + dishwasher + washing machine cover the muddy-paw rinse-down cycle that comes with Lake District walking.

Location is the bigger draw for active dog-walking holidays. Portinscale sits roughly 1.5 miles from Keswick via a marked field path that's good for dog walks itself. Derwentwater is within easy walking distance, with the west-shore Catbells fell route (one of the most popular short Lake District fells) directly accessible from the Portinscale side. Longer fell walks like Skiddaw and Causey Pike are short drives. Keswick town has multiple dog-friendly pubs + cafes including the Lakes Distillery + the Square Orange.

One practical note: this is a 6-sleeper cottage best suited to a family or larger group rather than a solo couple. The ability to take 2 dogs makes it particularly attractive for multi-generational family trips where there might be more than one dog in the family.

The 4.7/5 paw rating across 3 confirmed pet-traveller reviews reflects strong, consistent sentiment from guests who specifically chose the property for the dog-friendly secure garden. The returning-guest review on their 3rd or 4th visit is the strongest possible signal: people don't repeat-book without a real reason.

Best suited to a family or group of friends with one to two dogs wanting a spacious bungalow base for Lake District walks, who'll appreciate the secure garden, the Keswick walkable proximity, and the new-in-2024 kitchen.