Windermere Apartment, Kendal

Windermere is a self-catering apartment on Highgate in the centre of Kendal, the grey limestone market town that acts as the southern doorway to the Lake District. It makes a practical base for owners who want somewhere comfortable and central to come back to after a day on the fells, with the town's shops, pubs and riverside paths a couple of minutes from the door.

Guests travelling with a dog describe the flat as immaculately clean, spacious and well equipped, with good quality fittings throughout. As a whole apartment it is private: there is no reception to walk a wet dog through and no shared lounge to work around.

The layout is the thing to weigh up. The flat is three floors up with stairs rather than a lift, and owners who have stayed with a dog have found that the climb turns every toilet break into a small expedition. For a fit adult dog it is an inconvenience; for an older dog, a puppy still learning, or anything with joint trouble, it is a genuine reason to look elsewhere. Carrying a terrier up and down is manageable, carrying a spaniel four times a day rather less so.

The pet terms themselves are straightforward. One dog is accepted and there is a £10 pet charge, although the listing does not say whether that is charged per night or per stay, so it is worth pinning down when you book. Beyond that no breed or weight limit is published.

Kendal itself does the heavy lifting on walks. The River Kent path, Serpentine Woods and the climb up to Kendal Castle all start in town, and Kentmere, Longsleddale and the Windermere shoreline are a short drive away. Windermere suits owners of one stair-happy dog who want a clean, central town-centre flat rather than a rural cottage.