Jakanori, Staveley

Jakanori is a whole-house rental in the middle of Staveley, the small Lake District village that sits between Kendal and Windermere at the mouth of the Kentmere valley. Having the house to yourselves is the main draw for dog owners: no shared corridors, no lobby to cross, and off-road parking so a wet dog goes straight indoors.

Up to three dogs can stay, and the house is set up for them, with dog towels provided and an enclosed courtyard off the back. The courtyard is the part to look at carefully before booking. It is paved rather than grassed, so there is nowhere on site for a quick toilet break, and there is a gap beneath the gate wide enough to concern anyone travelling with a small or determined dog. Neither is a dealbreaker, but both are worth planning around.

Staveley itself makes up for the lack of garden. The village is walkable in every direction, with a shop a few doors away, cafes and a brewery tap at the Mill Yard, and the Dales Way passing through. Footpaths up the Kentmere valley and along the River Kent start from the village, so the first walk of the morning does not need a car.

Inside, the layout is upside-down, with the kitchen and living space upstairs and the bedrooms below. Guests describe the house as spacious and good value, with two bathrooms, though the decor is dated in places and one of the downstairs bedrooms has been reported as slow to warm up.

Jakanori suits dog owners who want a self-contained village base for the southern lakes and are happy to walk their dog rather than turn them out into a garden. It earns a 4.1/5 paw rating.