West Shaw Cote Cottage

West Shaw Cote Cottage sits on a working farm in Low Abbotside, on the quiet north side of Wensleydale between Hawes and Askrigg. It is the sort of Dales base where the walking starts at the gate, and dog owners consistently rate the setting, with open fell, field paths and the Ure valley all within a few minutes of Bainbridge.

Dogs are welcome, and guests travelling with them describe the cottage itself as homely, spotless on arrival and generously stocked, with a welcome pack and plenty of towels. The owner has a reputation for flexibility, with late departures and an extra night granted without fuss both mentioned. It earns a 4.4/5 paw rating.

The farm setting is the thing to understand before booking, because it cuts both ways. There is no enclosed garden. A field is available for dogs, but only when the sheep are not using it, and there are chickens roaming loose around the property, so a dog with any interest in poultry or livestock needs to be on a lead from the car door onwards. This is a genuine constraint rather than a quibble, and it makes the cottage a poor fit for a dog that cannot be trusted around animals.

The other recurring note from dog owners is practical. There is no boot wash or outdoor dog-shower set-up, and Wensleydale mud is real, so getting a wet dog clean before it comes back indoors takes some improvising. Guests have also reported a spell without heating when the boiler failed, with a log burner as the fallback and limited local shops for fuel.

Best suited to experienced dog owners with a lead-trained dog who want a quiet working-farm base for Dales walking, and who will happily bring their own towels, mat and drying kit.