Victorian House

Victorian House sits on Broadgate in the middle of Grasmere, one of the best walking villages in the southern Lake District, and it keeps a small set of dog-friendly rooms alongside its regular ones. The building is a long-established four-star guest house with a 9.5 out of 10 guest score across more than 2,200 reviews, and the dog rooms run to a double, a family room and a separate shepherd's hut in the grounds.

The detail that matters most here is the room type. Dogs can only stay in a designated dog-friendly room, there are a limited number of them, and they have to be requested when you book. Guests who arrange that in advance describe a warm reception, with dogs treated as part of the party rather than tolerated, and breakfast and housekeeping that get consistently high marks. The fee is 25 pounds per room for the whole stay rather than per night, which is reasonable for the area, and dogs must not be left alone in the room at any point.

Grasmere is the other reason to book. The lake, the village shops and cafes, and the fell paths up towards Helm Crag and Silver How all start within a few minutes of the door, so a dog can be walked properly without getting in the car. Ambleside is a short drive or bus ride away if you want a wider choice of dog-friendly pubs in the evening.

One caveat is worth taking seriously. Because the dog rooms are a small, separate allocation, a standard booking does not carry a dog with it, and guests who have arrived without a dog room flagged on the reservation have been refused at the door. Ring or email before you travel and get the dog room confirmed in writing.

Best suited to walkers with one well-mannered dog who will book the right room in advance and want to step straight out onto Grasmere's paths. It earns a 4.2 out of 5 paw rating.