The Barn, Brampton

The Barn is a converted farm building on a working farm outside Brampton, a few miles east of Carlisle, and its appeal for dog owners is mostly about the land around it. Guests with dogs describe a large garden, a farm lane and back field the owners are happy for dogs to be exercised on, and Milton Rigg Wood roughly two minutes' walk from the door. Plenty more walking is within a five to ten minute drive, and much of the wider area, including Hadrian's Wall country and the northern Lakes, is easy to reach for a day out.

The house itself is roomy, with en-suite bathrooms to the bedrooms, a log burner that earns its keep in bad weather, and a hot tub in the garden. The owners are consistently described as friendly and quick to respond, and families with children as well as dogs get the run of the farm - lambing, cattle and a tractor to sit in have all featured in stays.

The garden is where reports diverge, and it is the thing to check before booking. Most guests travelling with dogs describe it as large, enclosed and dog-safe. A smaller number found the fencing leaning and the gates hanging off their hinges, propped them shut with garden furniture to stop a dog getting out, and had another dog wander in from outside. Those same stays reported wider maintenance problems: a leaking door frame soaking the carpet, loose patio slabs, and dog mess left in the garden by previous guests. If a secure garden is the reason you are booking, ask the owners directly about the fencing and gates before you commit.

Other things to know: the hot tub has no cover or awning, so it is weather-dependent; there is no pub or shop within walking distance, so plan meals around a drive; and the towels supplied are bath-sized rather than bath sheets.

At 4.4/5, The Barn suits dogs that want space, farm smells and Hadrian's Wall country on the doorstep, provided you have confirmed the garden is currently secure.