Wayside Bungalow, Staveley

Wayside Bungalow sits on Brow Lane in Staveley, a Lake District village that works unusually well as a dog-walking base: the fells are close, the village itself is a pleasant walk away, and Windermere and Kendal are both a short drive. The bungalow is a whole property to yourselves, single storey apart from a loft bedroom, with off-road parking, a log burner and a conservatory that guests use for breakfast.

The welcome for dogs is a thoughtful one. Alongside the usual tea, coffee and biscuits, the welcome pack includes treats for the dog and a spare bowl, and the owner is easy to reach and quick to help. Dog owners repeatedly describe the place as feeling cared for rather than simply tolerated, with soft bedding, a well-stocked kitchen and enough space for a family and a dog.

The one thing to know before booking is the garden. It is a lovely space with good views, but it is not enclosed on the road side and it opens onto a main road, so it is not somewhere a dog can be let out loose. Several dog owners have found themselves taking the dog out on the lead for every toilet break, including late at night, which is manageable but worth planning for - particularly with a dog that bolts. The village walk and the surrounding lanes more than make up for it once you are out.

Pets are accepted by arrangement rather than automatically, and the property takes one dog of up to 35 kg, so larger dogs and multi-dog households are ruled out. The bathroom is the dated part of the house and comes up in guest feedback more than once.

With a 4.5/5 paw rating, Wayside Bungalow suits one-dog households wanting a comfortable Lake District base who are happy to lead-walk rather than open a back door.