Lund, Windermere

Lund is a whole house on the western shore of Windermere, in the Claife woods above the lake, and it trades on two things: the view out of its big windows and how quiet the west side of the water is compared with Bowness opposite. Dogs are part of the appeal here. The Claife Viewing Station and the shoreline path are a few minutes away on foot, the lanes behind the house climb into the Sawrey woods, and you can walk for an hour before meeting anybody. It earns a 4.5/5 paw rating.

One well-behaved dog is welcome, which is the clearest steer the property gives: this is a house for a couple or a family with a single dog rather than for multi-dog parties. Having the whole place to yourselves removes the usual complications of travelling with a dog, and guests have found it clean, spacious and comfortable, with a welcome hamper on arrival and balconies looking down the lake.

The location needs one clarification before you book. Although the address says Windermere, the house is on the far side of the water from Windermere and Bowness. The car ferry crosses in about ten minutes and guests tend to enjoy it as part of the trip, but it runs to its own timetable and can queue in high season, so a late dinner in Bowness needs planning. In practice most people treat the west side as the point: Hawkshead, Near Sawrey and Esthwaite Water are all easier to reach than the busy shore, and dog walks stay away from the crowds.

Feedback from guests travelling with dogs is still limited here, so take the rating as an early read rather than a settled one. Best suited to a couple or small family with one dog who want lake views, quiet walking from the door and a private house, and who are comfortable with a ferry crossing between them and the shops.