Fold Cottage, Outgate near Ambleside

Fold Cottage sits in Outgate, a scattering of houses in the lanes between Hawkshead and Ambleside, and it is the kind of quiet rural base that suits a dog better than a village centre does. Walks run straight from the cottage into the surrounding fields and lanes, and Tarn Hows, Hawkshead and the western shore of Windermere are all short drives away. There are no shops on the doorstep, which is rather the point.

Up to two dogs can stay, and the one thing you need to bring is their bed, as the cottage does not supply one. There is a garden that guests with dogs consistently single out as the best part of the place, somewhere to sit out in the evening while the dog pokes about, and an allocated parking space so you are not hunting for a spot with a wet dog in the boot.

Two of the better dog-friendly pubs in this corner of the Lakes are within easy reach. The Outgate Inn is the local, and the Drunken Duck is a short drive up the road. Both are used to muddy dogs coming in off the fells.

A couple of practical points. The underfloor heating cannot be adjusted, which is a real plus after a wet fell day and a nuisance in milder weather, when the only way to cool the place down is to open a door or window. That is awkward with a dog inclined to let itself out. Guests have also mentioned cobwebs at ceiling level, a first floor cooler than the ground floor, and a small shower. None of it spoiled anyone's holiday, but this is a 3-star cottage rather than a boutique one, and the 4.4 out of 5 paw rating reflects a place that gets the dog side right without being polished.

Best suited to owners of one or two dogs who want quiet lanes, a garden and pub walks rather than village bustle. Less suited to anyone needing shops within walking distance or fine control over the heating.