Parkgate

Parkgate is a four-star town house in the middle of Windermere village, and its best asset for a dog owner sits across the road: a small public park about fifty yards from the front door. That turns the first and last walks of the day into a quick stroll onto grass rather than a circuit of pavements, which counts for a lot in a village where most self-catering has little outside space of its own. Feedback from guests travelling with dogs comes from a single stay so far, so treat this as an early picture, though that stay was rated highly and the park was the detail that mattered.

The house is set up for proper self-catering, with a well-equipped kitchen and a living room built around a log burner, which earns its keep on a cold evening after a wet day out. Being central, the village shops, cafes and pubs are a short walk away, and Orrest Head, the classic short climb above Windermere, is close enough to reach on foot for a longer outing with views over the lake.

The property's booking listing does not set out its pet terms in detail, so confirm the arrangements for your dog, including any fee and how many dogs are accepted, before you book.

Parkgate suits a couple or small family with a settled dog who want a central base, a warm living room and grass on the doorstep, and who would rather walk to dinner than drive to it.