Set on a working farm in the breathtaking Upper Eden Valley, this peaceful retreat is just the ticket for couples or small families travelling with a four-legged friend. With wide open landscapes all around, it’s a wonderful base for those keen to explore with their faithful hound by their side.
A short set of steps leads up to the decking and into this thoughtfully designed hideaway. Inside, you’ll find a cosy open-plan layout, kept warm with underfloor heating and finished with natural wood and soft tones that reflect the surrounding countryside. After a day of fresh-air adventures with your canine companion, sink into the sofa for a film night (it can also turn into a bed for two children), or prepare something tasty in the compact kitchen, which includes a fridge, two-ring hob, microwave and breakfast bar for casual dining. The double bed is tucked neatly into one corner so that you can wake up to views of rolling fields. An en-suite shower room completes the interior. Outside, the raised deck has a bistro table and chairs – just the spot for a morning brew or evening drink while your four-legged friend takes in the country scents. Below, a gravelled area with a picnic bench awaits for outdoor meals, and beyond that, an enclosed lawn gives your pup space to stretch their legs. Private parking for one car is available right next to the lodge.
You’ll find footpaths leading to Smardale Gill Nature Reserve, where curious canines can trot alongside you as you look out for red squirrels and delicate butterflies. The impressive Smardale Gill Viaduct sits 1.5 miles away, while the famous Coast to Coast Walk can be joined within half a mile. For shops, eateries and a slice of local character, Kirkby Stephen is 2.5 miles away, with destinations such as Appleby-in-Westmorland, Hawes, Sedbergh and Barnard Castle all within 25 miles for day trips. Nature lovers (and their wagging-tailed explorers) will also want to visit Great Asby Scar (12 miles) and nearby fells, including Great Shunner Fell (17 miles) and Wild Boar Fell (8.5 miles).