Lake Lodge Studio, Windermere

Lake Lodge Studio is a compact self-catering studio in woodland above Windermere, and for dog owners the draw is a private, fully enclosed garden with the whole place to yourselves. There are no shared corridors or other guests to work around, and past guests have found the owners genuinely dog-minded: the garden is properly fenced, and small extras are put out for visiting dogs.

The garden is what makes it work. An enclosed outdoor space you can open the door onto is exactly what many self-catering lets in the area lack, and dogs have plainly enjoyed the run of it. There is a hot tub for the humans, and it gets consistent praise for being kept spotless. Guests have had good experiences with the owners on the practical stuff too, with a toilet problem sorted the same day and an apology left behind.

Two caveats matter more than the usual small print. The first is privacy: the garden and the hot tub are overlooked by the neighbouring rental, so neither is as secluded as it looks, and there is some noise carry from the owners' side. The second is that no footpaths lead from the door - despite the setting, you need the car for every walk, which is a real consideration if your dog's routine runs on early mornings. Indoor cleanliness is also mixed. The hot tub is immaculate, but guests have reported dust build-up and pans that needed rewashing, and one stay was let down badly enough on cleaning and on reaching the owner to score poorly.

The rest is worth knowing before you book: the hob is a two-ring, the oven is a combination microwave, the Wi-Fi is charged separately, and the access track is potholed but passable. Up to three pets are allowed. Lake Lodge Studio suits a couple with dogs who value a secure garden and a hot tub over hotel facilities, and who are content to drive to their walks.