Smithy Cottage, Penrith

Smithy Cottage is a snug self-catering cottage in the village of Stainton, just outside Penrith and handy for both the northern Lake District and the Eden Valley. It is a comfortable, well-equipped small cottage with a log burner, and it earns warm words from guests who have brought a dog - the kind of low-key village base that suits owners who want quiet lanes and easy walking rather than a bustling resort.

Dog owners are positive about the setup. One family found the cottage the right size for three people plus their dog and rated the area highly for evening walks straight from the door, while a solo traveller called it an excellent stay and would happily return. Between the village setting and the surrounding lanes, there is gentle, safe walking on the doorstep and easy road and bus links into Penrith.

A couple of honest, dog-specific pointers come out of the reviews. The garden is laid with gravel, which one guest's dog with sensitive paws wasn't keen on, so bring a mat or boots if your dog dislikes rough ground. And while there is a pub down the road with food guests rate highly, one visitor noted it isn't dog-friendly - worth planning around if you'd hoped to take your dog along for an evening meal.

No formal pet fee, size limit or breed policy is published for the cottage, so confirm the current terms directly with the owner when you book. Overall Smithy Cottage suits owners with a settled dog who want a quiet, comfortable village base near Penrith with good walking close by.