Fellside Lodge in the Lake District has been described as ‘full of charm and character’ with thoughtful extra touches for families with four-legged friends in towThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Fellside Lodge is just a five-minute walk away from the centre of Bowness-on-Windermere(Image: Sykes Holiday Cottages)
With the UK being hotter than parts of Spain and Greece over the bank holiday weekend, the sunshine has only served to make the idea of swapping a getaway abroad for a staycation even more tempting.
Of course, for families with four-legged friends, one of the best things about staying on UK shores for a holiday is that it’s a lot easier to take your dog along. With idyllic countryside and beautiful beaches galore, it’s hard to beat Britain for gorgeous dog walks – and one place to stay a 2.5-hour drive from Newcastle has been named best in the country for those with furry friends in tow.
Fellside Lodge in the beloved Lake District town of Bowness-on-Windermere was chosen as the number one dog-friendly stay in the UK by Sykes Holiday Cottages in their most recent awards, making it the third year running that the holiday home has scooped this title. This is thanks to the extra touches it provides for pets, including a professional dog bath and hair dryer – and there are plenty of home comforts for the humans too, with a highlight being the private outdoor hot tub.
Priced from £1,369 for a seven-night stay with only a couple of spots left for summer at the time of writing, this characterful stay has space for up to six guests and four dogs. With three bedrooms and four bathrooms, it’s the ideal size for families and their pets visiting the Lake District.
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This isn’t the only dog-friendly stay to have bagged an award, with properties in the North East also recognised as among the best in the UK this month. The Observatory in North Shields, which can accommodate two people and two dogs, was named the most extraordinary place to stay in the UK by holidaycottages.co.uk last week.
The unique property on the North Tyneside coast was chosen from thousands of properties as the number one place to stay for holidaymakers seeking “a truly unique and unforgettable experience” in the holidaycottages.co.uk 2026 Showcase Awards. The judges, which included Grand Designs presenter Kevin McCloud, singled out the property for its “originality, unforgettable ‘wow’ factor, and high-end luxury”.
Meanwhile, Northumberland is also a top choice among holidaymakers with dogs thanks to the hundreds of miles of picturesque walking routes it provides between its countryside and coast. Travel experts at holidaycottages.co.uk previously named the market town of Rothbury as the perfect place to visit with canine companions in tow thanks to its proximity to the colourful Simonside Hills.
The travel experts also singled out the “serene” banks of the River Coquet and the “enchanting” hidden trails of Thrunton Wood as the top walks in the area for families with dogs. One of the top attractions in Rothbury is Cragside, which takes the number one spot on Tripadvisor as the top historical attraction in Northumberland, and is dog-friendly in its outdoor spaces – although four-legged friends must be kept on a lead to protect the wildlife.
Back at Fellside Lodge, this award-winning stay has earned dozens five-star reviews from its guests, with one person feeding back: “The location is perfect as a base for exploring the lakes, and the hot tub is a welcome relaxation after a day hiking. The lodge is only a short walk to the town for an evening drink. We will definitely be back as we have a lot more exploring to do.”
Another guest echoed: “The cottage is so picturesque and full of charm and character with nice modern touches and attention to detail throughout. The dog wash and hot tub were great touches. It’s perfectly positioned and just a five-minute stroll into bustling Bowness.”
Other visitors highlighted the perks for dogs in particular, with someone else writing: “Everything was thought about and it really seemed like it had dogs at heart, which is so refreshing for these types of accommodations. We made the most of everything the home had to offer and look forward to coming back!”
While a different guest praised: “Everything you could need is there and so many games, we had great fun trying different ones, and we just loved that there was a lovely doggy theme running through the cottage! The doggies were spoilt too with lovely blankets and towels just for them, and the dog wash station – super helpful to have a supply of towels if you forget something or have a wet week!”
However, the owners of Fellside Lodge note that the property is set over several levels with steps both outside and inside, and warn that “it may not be suitable for guests with limited mobility”. One guest said that their pets were affected by this too, writing of the stairs: “they were steep and slippery so we had to assist [the dogs] into the kitchen area at all times”.
A couple of visitors also noted that the lack of grass in the garden was an issue for their dogs, with someone else remarking: “We discovered our dogs won’t toilet unless they have grass so that was a learning curve for them with the patio.” And someone else echoed: “[My] dogs prefer a grass space and it was a short walk away to find a suitable area.”
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