Barney's Cottage
Lake District
A Dog-Friendly Lake District Getaway at Barney’s Cottage, Penrith
If there’s one thing I’ll never get bored of, it’s escaping to the Lake District with the dogs.
For our latest little escape, we headed to Barney’s Cottage near Penrith, where we spent a few days exploring the Lake District with Alfie and Dougie. And it was exactly the kind of break we needed.
Staying at Barney’s Cottage
Barney’s Cottage is tucked away on the eastern edge of the Lake District National Park, in the Lunesdale Valley, and is part of Roundthwaite Farm.
The location is beautiful, with views stretching down the valley towards Sedbergh and across towards Penrith and the Lakes. It feels peaceful without being completely cut off from everything, making it a lovely base for exploring the area.
The cottage sleeps up to four people, with two bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchen and living space, so it would work well for a couple wanting plenty of space or a small family getaway.
And then there are the two things that immediately sold me…
A private hot tub and a wood burner.
Because apparently a day spent walking around the Lake District is even better when you can come back, get cosy in front of the fire and then sit in a hot tub looking out at the countryside.
Yes please.
The cottage also has free parking and great views, and being dog-friendly meant we could bring the boys along rather than having to leave them behind.
It's also really close to the motorway, and the famous Teebay services with the most delicious farm shop!
Exploring the Lake District with the dogs
One of my favourite things about visiting the Lake District is that you really don’t need to have every minute planned.
Some days are about finding a proper walk and getting your boots muddy. Others are about jumping in the car, finding somewhere beautiful and seeing where the day takes you.
And with two spaniels, there is obviously plenty of stopping for sniffing, investigating absolutely everything and generally doing what spaniels do best.
The location of Barney’s Cottage makes it a great starting point for exploring this part of the Lakes, while still giving you somewhere peaceful to come back to at the end of the day.
After a few hours outside, coming back to the cottage felt like part of the holiday rather than simply somewhere to sleep.
Is Barney’s Cottage dog-friendly?
Yes -c and for us, that was one of the biggest reasons for choosing it.
Finding somewhere that works for both humans and dogs can make such a difference to a trip. There’s nothing worse than finding a beautiful cottage only to discover that the dogs aren’t welcome, or that you’re paying a huge premium simply because you’re bringing them with you.
Barney’s Cottage gave us the chance to have the kind of Lake District break we wanted, with Alfie and Dougie included.
Would we stay again?
Absolutely.
If you’re looking for a dog-friendly Lake District cottage with a hot tub, somewhere peaceful to escape to and a good base for exploring the surrounding countryside, Barney’s Cottage is definitely one to put on your list.
It’s the kind of place that works particularly well if, like us, your ideal holiday is less about ticking off a huge list of attractions and more about getting outside, spending time with your dogs and enjoying a few quiet days away from normal life.
And I think that’s exactly what I loved most about this trip.
Nothing particularly complicated.
Just beautiful countryside, muddy paws, cosy evenings, a hot tub and a few days away with my favourite people.
Sometimes that’s all you really need.
We spent our time here visiting Ullswater, Blea Tarn, Tarn Hows & Walla Crag - all within 1 hour drive.
Our stay at a glance
Where: Barney’s Cottage, Penrith, Cumbria
Sleeps: Up to 4 guests
Bedrooms: 2
Dog-friendly: Yes
Highlights: Private hot tub, wood burner, countryside and mountain views, free parking
Perfect for: Couples, small families and dog-friendly Lake District escapes