26 Dukes Meadow

26 Dukes Meadow is a log cabin on a quiet countryside site about fifteen minutes' drive from Penrith, and its best feature for anyone travelling with a dog is the enclosed wrap-around garden. Two well-behaved pets are welcome, and having secure outdoor space on three sides means a dog can be let out off the lead without walking past other lodges first. The cabin comes fully kitted out, with bedding, towels, a hairdryer, kitchen basics and even board games, so there is little to pack beyond the dog's own things.

The setting is properly rural. The garden draws squirrels and birds through the day, there is garden furniture for sitting out, and the surrounding lanes and fields give easy, low-traffic walking straight from the door. Penrith and the M6 are a quarter of an hour away, with Ullswater, Greystoke and the northern fells all within a short drive, so it works as a base without being anywhere near a main road.

One thing genuinely matters here: there is a stream running through the grounds, and the owners ask that pets and children are supervised outside because of it. If your dog is a bolter, or simply drawn to water, factor that in before you book. Two smaller points. The metal step into the cabin is steep, which is worth knowing if anyone in the party is unsteady on their feet, although there is a second way in through the garden gate. And the crows start early and are enthusiastic about the bird food.

Best suited to a couple or small family with one or two dogs who want peace, a secure garden and countryside on the doorstep. Less suited to anyone hoping to walk to shops and pubs, or anyone whose dog cannot be trusted near open water.