Mellguards, Howtown

Mellguards is a four-bedroom cottage at Howtown, on the quiet eastern shore of Ullswater, and the setting is what sells it to dog owners. This is the side of the lake the coach parties largely miss: open fell country, the shoreline within walking distance, and walks that start at the door rather than at a car park. It is a whole-property let, so there is no reception to cross and no corridor to lead a wet dog down.

The pet terms are published and they are straightforward. Dogs cost £30 for the stay rather than per night, and the charge covers the booking rather than each animal, so a party bringing two dogs pays the same £30 as a party bringing one. Two is the limit. The one house rule is that dogs stay off the furniture, which is easy enough to plan around if you bring a throw and a bed of your own.

Inside there is room for a group: four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a modern kitchen and a sitting area with a fireplace, plus parking for a couple of large cars. The dog-specific feedback puts the location above everything else, and the layout works better for two households sharing than for one family rattling around.

Housekeeping is the caveat worth taking seriously. Standards have swung. Some guests describe the cottage as exceptionally well styled and spotless, while others have arrived to dog hair left on rugs and floors from an earlier stay, crumbs across the dining table and dirty crockery back in the cupboards. Cleaners were sent back during one stay and still missed the hair. Dirty windows and a scruffy outdoor space have come up too. None of it is a reason to rule the place out, but give the floors a look on arrival if your own dog will be lying on them.

Best suited to two households sharing a Lakeland base with a dog or two, who want long shoreline and fell walks from the door and do not mind a quick check-over when they arrive.