Cranmore Cottage

Cranmore Cottage Ultra dog friendly

� �����
we would love to host you �� in the magical North Pennines in Cumbria. Throws provided for sofas. Outside tap. Carpets upstairs.
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Holidays in Cumbria
Award-winning, family-run, dog-friendly stays across the Lake District & Cumbria 🐕🌿
🏡 Featuring beautiful homes including Cranmore Cottage (sleeps 7: 2 superking/twins, 1 double, sofa bed)
✨ Spacious, well-equipped & dog-welcoming Www.holidaysincumbria.co.uk
WhatsApp 07986 872 178
Email: [email protected]

�Unlimited dogs welcome. All breeds welcome.

�� Fully fen

ced enclosed gardens and paddocks. 5 and 6 foot fencing throughout. Suitable for small dogs up to giant breeds. 2/3rd of an acre. DOGS STAY FREE!

��Walks straight from our doorstep in the beautiful North Pennines AONB.

�� Utility room with dog towels, treats, wipes, doggy poo bags, toys. We allow dogs on beds if you bring your own linen. Special dog tags for your holidaying pooches.

��Dogs allowed throughout the property but a stair gate is provided if you want.

�� tile and wood floors on the ground floor, easy for pets. I�� Chest freezer for Raw Food

���easy access to the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, Northumberland, Teesside and the Weardale Valley.

�����star reviews already since we opened in April!

���3 fireplaces (log burner, open fire and Aga)

���Terrace with wooden seating and rattan sofas with Firepit *beautiful dark skies*

�2 x Fully enclosed 6 acre dog paddocks just a minute walk away with amazing views

�Luxury American style gas BBQ

�Extremely spacious accommodation with great reviews! Sink into our high spec (2 super king and 1 double luxury sleigh bed) sized hotel style beds with crisp Eygyptian cotton, feather duvets and catch a great night's sleep! �

�Curved 55 inch smart TV in living room with Xbox One console as well as 32 inch TV in snug

�Plenty of boardgames provided

��Cot, stairgate and highchair available

�Washing Machine / Dryer

�Tassimo Machine with Coffee pods supplied

��Massive and Well equipped kitchen with option of woodburning Aga and modern double oven/hob, blender, cake mixer, all equipment you need to entertain!

��Fabulous wild swimming �spots & magical waterfalls nearby

��Near the Pennine Way

� we are on the C2C route, perfect for cycles

��Country walks and footpaths right on our doorstep

�����

Here is our Airbnb link for you to read our fabulous reviews! airbnb.com/h/cumbriancottage

��Option of renting together with our 2nd cottage sleeps 8 for larger parties

airbnb.com/h/camelliacottagecumbria

🐾 Everyone stopped at Ashness Bridge… we carried on walking. And suddenly, we had the Lake District almost to ourselves....
30/08/2026

🐾 Everyone stopped at Ashness Bridge… we carried on walking. And suddenly, we had the Lake District almost to ourselves. ⛰️❤️

Yesterday we decided to explore Ashness Bridge and Walla Crag, and this is definitely one to save if you're visiting the Lakes with your dogs.

We parked at the little National Trust car park at Ashness Bridge. It was £6 for two hours when we visited.

And Ashness Bridge itself?

Absolutely beautiful. 😍

It's one of the most photographed packhorse bridges in the Lake District, and when you see that little stone bridge with Derwent Water, Bassenthwaite and Skiddaw behind it, you can understand why.

It is proper biscuit-tin Lake District scenery. ❤️

It was also BUSY. 😂

Cars arriving constantly. People taking their obligatory photograph of the bridge.

And then something quite funny happened...

Most of them got back into their cars about 10 minutes later and left. 😅

We thought we'd actually see what was beyond the bridge, so decided to head towards Walla Crag, one of Alfred Wainwright's famous Lake District fells.

And within a very short distance...

Silence.

Hardly anyone around.

And not ONE other dog did we encounter on our walk. 🐶❤️

There were a few sheep dotted around the fell, although actually far fewer than I expected. Dogs should be kept on leads here because of livestock and ground-nesting birds.

But the VIEWS. 😍😍😍

As you climb, Derwent Water opens up below you with Keswick and the surrounding fells beyond.

From Walla Crag itself, on a clear day, apparently you can see across Derwent Water and Bassenthwaite towards the Solway Firth and even the hills of Galloway in Scotland.

The walk itself is manageable for most reasonably able walkers, but I do have one warning...

If you don't like heights, you might want to think twice. 😂

It gets rocky and fairly steep in places and about halfway up the kids decided the combination of the climb and the drop was getting a little too vertigo-inducing.

Considering they're only 4 and 13, though, I think they did amazingly well!

I headed back down with them while my friend continued to the summit.

And something else I hadn't realised before we arrived...

There are SO many walks around here. 🥾🐾

You could easily come back several times and do something completely different.

There are paths through the beautiful woodland around Great Wood, including shorter waymarked National Trust trails if you don't fancy climbing a Wainwright.

You can also:

🌲 Wander through the woods towards Great Wood
🌊 Head down towards Derwent Water and join the lakeshore path towards Keswick
⛰️ Tackle Walla Crag and make it into a longer circular walk
🌉 Walk from Walla Crag across to Ashness Bridge
😍 Walk up towards Surprise View
🐾 Or continue further into Borrowdale towards the tiny hamlet and tarn at Watendlath

The National Trust's full Walla Crag and Ashness Bridge circular is around 4.5 miles, so what we did was only one little part of a much bigger network of paths.

There is even the option of arriving by Keswick Launch, getting off at Ashness Gate and walking up from the lake, which sounds like a brilliant doggy day out for another time. 🚤🐶

There's some fascinating history here too.

A narrow cleft in Walla Crag is known as Lady's Rake, and legend has it that the Countess of Derwent Water escaped this way after her husband was captured for his involvement in the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745.

Looking at that crag, she was considerably braver than me. 😂😂

But our adventure wasn't quite finished...

🚗 We then drove further up the little road to Surprise View.

By this point the Lake District had decided we'd had quite enough sunshine and the heavens OPENED. ☔😂

But even through the rain...

WOW.

You are about 220 metres above sea level here, looking straight out over Derwent Water towards Keswick and Skiddaw.

It's one of those enormous Lake District views where you just stand there for a minute and take it all in. ❤️

Apparently the dramatic drop at Surprise View was actually created during the last Ice Age, when glaciers carved out Borrowdale.

And looking south you can see some of Borrowdale's Atlantic oak woodland, which is so important that it's designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Surprise View was VERY busy too, despite the rain. 😂

So yesterday's discovery was really quite funny...

Ashness Bridge: packed.
Surprise View: packed.
The actual trails: wonderfully quiet. 🐾❤️

🐶 MY DOG WALK VERDICT

✔️ Incredible views over Derwent Water
✔️ Lots of different walks to choose from
✔️ Woodland walks available if you don't fancy the fell
✔️ Surprisingly peaceful once away from the tourist viewpoints
✔️ We encountered NO other dogs on our walk
✔️ A few sheep on the fell
✔️ Dogs need to be kept on leads around livestock and wildlife
✔️ Rocky and steep in places towards Walla Crag
✔️ Good footwear needed
✔️ Not ideal if you're nervous of heights
✔️ Our 4 year old managed half of it in croc wellies, yes 🙌
✔️ Walla Crag is a Wainwright
✔️ You could easily make an entire day of exploring this little corner of Borrowdale

I think yesterday summed up something I absolutely love about the Lake District.

Hundreds of people can arrive at the same beauty spot, take the same photograph and leave...

But walk just a little bit further than everybody else and you can discover an entirely different Lake District. ❤️🐾⛰️

And I have a feeling we'll be coming back here because we barely scratched the surface.

Next mission?

Perhaps the woodland trails and Watendlath.

And I still need to actually make it to the top of Walla Crag. 😂😂

Sometimes you just need to stop. 🌿💚Taking a little time out today at beautiful Ennerdale Water before what is going to b...
29/08/2026

Sometimes you just need to stop. 🌿💚

Taking a little time out today at beautiful Ennerdale Water before what is going to be a very busy weekend.

No rushing. No phone calls. No endless to-do list.

Just the lake, the fells, the dogs and a bit of peace. 🐾

Ennerdale is one of those places that still feels like a secret.

It’s wonderfully quiet, incredibly serene and you don’t need to be an experienced fell walker to enjoy it. There are lovely easy stretches along the water that are perfect for all ages, and of course, for four-legged family members too. 🐕💚

There’s something about being beside the water that makes everything slow down for a while.

And today, that is exactly what I needed.

A couple of hours to recharge the batteries before a busy weekend doing what I love.

Sometimes living and working in Cumbria means remembering to actually stop and enjoy Cumbria too. ❤️

📍 Ennerdale Water, Western Lake District

Shout out to my newest followers! Excited to have you onboard! Ann Holmes, Lucy Hunt, Sue Florrie Garner-Mason, Jan Grea...
29/08/2026

Shout out to my newest followers! Excited to have you onboard! Ann Holmes, Lucy Hunt, Sue Florrie Garner-Mason, Jan Greatorex, Heather Williams, Julie Saunders, Jayne Suddaby, Sue Fenwick, Lex Miller, Barbara Ann, Lorna Simpson, Jackie Sanders, Iola Johnson, Yelyam Seyah, Jo Turner, Emma Walters, Lorraine Frost, Grace McCavery - Smith, Sarah Thomas, Joanne Davenport, Thomas George, Lesley Dawn, Sarah Green

33p.That's how much a guest wanted me to earn for providing his three-night holiday cottage this week.Thirty-three pence...
27/08/2026

33p.

That's how much a guest wanted me to earn for providing his three-night holiday cottage this week.

Thirty-three pence. 😂

He requested a £347 refund.

The ENTIRE Airbnb payout for the three nights was £347.33.

Oh... and he wanted to STAY for the whole holiday.

Welcome to the final instalment of summer silly season. 😂

Remember my nightmare guest post that went a little bit mad on here recently?

Well, apparently the universe wasn't quite finished with me yet.

Because this has now happened in one form or another THREE TIMES this summer.

And this time, I did something differently.

I said NO.

Before I tell you what happened, I do want to say that the overwhelming majority of our guests are absolutely lovely. Some have stayed with us time and time again, some have become friends, and some leave cards, presents and messages that genuinely make me emotional.

Those people are the reason I still absolutely love what I do. ❤️

But anyone who works in hospitality will probably understand what I mean when I say the six-week summer holidays can sometimes become silly season.

And with Bank Holiday marking the final hurrah before we return to our lovely, quieter, peaceful bookings, silly season apparently wanted to leave me with one final present.

So here goes...

A guest checked into one of our more affordable cottages.

I was actually NEXT DOOR when they arrived. They were thrilled. The views were popping, the weather was sunny and they looked happy.

No message. No phone call. No knock on the door. No request for me to come over.

Nothing.

Then, a few minutes before midnight, a notification appeared through Airbnb.

£347 REFUND REQUESTED.

Attached was a collection of photographs of alleged issues with the cottage.

Interestingly, several of the photographs appeared to have been taken in daylight.

Yet the first I knew about any concerns was the refund request just before midnight.

And some of the evidence?

A mark on a wall.

A few tiny leaves and sticks on an OUTDOOR doormat.

Some dust on the wire and top of a light shade.

There were also some normal signs of wear and tear.

Were there a couple of things my cleaner could have done better?

YES.

I'm not going to pretend otherwise.

We are human. It is the end of an incredibly busy summer season, we've had back-to-back bookings and holiday cottages get lived in.

If we miss something, tell us.

I'll apologise. I'll send somebody back.

I'll put it right.

But then I looked properly at the amount being requested.

The guest had paid Airbnb more because Airbnb adds its own fees, but my entire payout for providing this three-night holiday was £347.33.

He wanted £347 back.

Let that sink in.

After providing the cottage, linen, utilities, cleaning and everything else involved in running a holiday home, I would have been left with...

🥁🥁🥁

33p.

But here's the really extraordinary part.

He wanted to STAY.

And this is where the old me probably would have panicked.

Bad review. Airbnb dispute. Superhost status. Business reputation.

All those horrible thoughts that run through your head when you've spent years building something you care about.

And that's exactly why holiday let owners sometimes throw money at situations simply to make them disappear.

But this time I thought...

No.

If this cottage is genuinely SO terrible that you believe you should receive virtually 100% of my entire payout back, why would you want to spend another two nights there?

So I offered what I thought was a completely fair solution.

If the property was genuinely unacceptable, leave and I would refund the unused accommodation.

He declined.

He wanted to stay and pursue the £347 refund through Airbnb instead.

I even offered a goodwill resolution if he left.

He didn't want that either.

So we'd reached the rather extraordinary position where the cottage was apparently bad enough to justify virtually 100% of my entire payout...

But apparently not bad enough to actually leave.

There were two perfectly reasonable options as far as I was concerned.

If it's genuinely unacceptable, leave and I'll refund the unused accommodation.

Or stay, and let me put the things you've complained about right.

What I wasn't prepared to accept was option three:

Stay for the holiday AND pursue virtually my entire payout back.

And there's another part of this story that perhaps explains why this one finally made me toughen up.

The following morning, I was in Keswick with family and friends.

The photo on this post was taken that morning.

It was the only proper break I had taken all summer.

After weeks of back-to-back bookings, cleaners, maintenance, messages and keeping all the plates spinning, I'd finally taken a little time for myself.

Beautiful Keswick. Derwentwater. Boats. Sunshine. Friends.

Trying very hard to switch off for once.

Except behind that smile, I was on my phone dealing with a £347 refund request, arranging a cleaner, organising my maintenance manager and trying to resolve a problem at a cottage while I was supposed to be having a day off. 😂

This is the side of running holiday cottages that nobody sees.

Sometimes even when you're technically "off", you're never really off.

So I arranged for my cleaner to go straight back to the cottage.

I also arranged for my maintenance manager to attend.

The guest said he wasn't comfortable with people entering while they were out.

Absolutely fine.

Nobody enters one of our cottages during a guest's stay without permission.

But by this point my cleaner was already there.

She was outside the cottage, ready to knock and ask permission to come in.

And honestly, when she saw the list of things being complained about, she was bewildered.

Nevertheless, she was there to do exactly what a responsible host should do.

Put things right.

So I messaged the guest and told him my cleaner was outside and about to knock, and that my maintenance manager was also on his way.

In other words, the opportunity to inspect and rectify the complaints was quite literally...

Standing outside the front door.

And shortly afterwards?

They decided to leave.

👀

I'll let you draw your own conclusions about the timing of that.

But I didn't accuse anybody of anything.

I didn't lose my temper.

I didn't panic and hand over £347.

I documented everything.

I kept everything on Airbnb.

And I let Airbnb decide.

And Airbnb decided...

🥁🥁🥁

NO REFUND.

Airbnb sided with me and decided that the guest was not entitled to the refund he had requested.

And THAT has taught me something.

Three times this season I have encountered variations of this situation.

And judging by the extraordinary number of messages I received after my previous post, other holiday let owners are experiencing it too.

I wonder whether, without meaning to, we've helped create the problem.

Because we're frightened.

We're frightened of the review, frightened of losing Superhost, frightened Airbnb will automatically side with the guest, and frightened of someone going onto social media and damaging the reputation we've spent years building.

So sometimes we refund.

£100. £200. £300.

Anything to make the problem disappear.

And perhaps every time an unreasonable refund demand succeeds, somebody learns:

This works.

Well, I'm toughening up.

That does NOT mean lowering standards.

Quite the opposite.

Our properties should be clean. They should be safe. And when we get something wrong, we should own it.

If my cleaner misses something, tell me and we'll come back.

If something breaks, tell me and we'll try to fix it.

If there's a genuine problem, give us the opportunity to PUT IT RIGHT.

And if something genuinely makes the accommodation unsuitable, we'll work with you to find a fair solution.

That's hospitality.

But a mark on a wall is not a free holiday.

A few leaves on an outdoor doormat are not a free holiday.

Dust on top of a light fitting is not a free holiday.

Normal wear and tear is not a free holiday.

And being a good host does not mean being frightened into handing somebody virtually their entire accommodation cost back while they continue enjoying the accommodation.

Sometimes good customer service means saying sorry.

Sometimes it means sending the cleaner straight back.

Sometimes it means giving somebody their money back.

And sometimes it means calmly saying:

"I'm sorry, but that isn't reasonable."

This time I did.

And Airbnb agreed with me.

And before anyone thinks this has made me cynical about guests, it really hasn't. ❤️

The overwhelming majority of the thousands of people we've welcomed over the years have been wonderful.

They are the reason I do this.

But three experiences this summer have taught me that I can be kind, fair and generous without being a pushover.

So to my fellow holiday let owners, document everything. Keep conversations on the platform. Offer to rectify genuine problems. Own your mistakes. Be kind. Be fair.

But don't be frightened to stand your ground when something simply doesn't add up.

And on THAT note...

The August Bank Holiday is almost here, which means the six-week summer madness is nearly...

OVER. 😂🙌

And soon we're back to my favourite time of year.

Quieter cottages, autumn walks, empty beaches, peaceful lakes, dogs running through fallen leaves, log fires and those lovely guests who come to Cumbria simply because they want to escape the world for a little while. 🍂🐾❤️

Honestly, I cannot wait.

Now I REALLY want to hear from you.

Holiday let owners, has silly season been particularly silly for you this year?

And guests, what's the strangest thing you've ever heard somebody complain about on holiday?

I have a feeling the comments on this one could be interesting... 😂

🚨 WELL… THIS IS AWKWARD. CRANMORE IS STILL AVAILABLE THIS WEEK! 🐾😂I honestly thought this one had gone.We’ve had loads o...
24/08/2026

🚨 WELL… THIS IS AWKWARD. CRANMORE IS STILL AVAILABLE THIS WEEK! 🐾😂

I honestly thought this one had gone.

We’ve had loads of enquiries, then someone booked Cranmore yesterday… but never paid the deposit and has now completely disappeared. 👻

So rather than have one of my favourite cottages sitting empty this week, I’m doing something slightly ridiculous.

🔥 MONDAY TO FRIDAY THIS WEEK – JUST £500 🔥
Unheard of at peak season 😫

That’s for the whole cottage, not per person.

And if you have multiple dogs, this is where it gets even better…

🐾 UNLIMITED DOGS
🐾 NO EXTRA DOG CHARGES
🐾 Reactive dogs welcome
🐾 Rescue dogs welcome
🐾 XL Bullies welcome
🐾 Shy dogs, noisy dogs, nervous dogs and dogs who occasionally make questionable life choices welcome 😂

Because Cranmore was designed for people who struggle to find somewhere that genuinely welcomes their dogs.

You get:

🌿 Your own private, enclosed paddock, accessed directly from the enclosed garden

🌿 Access to TWO additional enclosed 6-acre paddocks nearby

🐕 5–7ft fencing

🔥 Log burner, open fire AND Aga

🌌 Dark-sky terrace and firepit

🏞️ Incredible walks straight from the door in the North Pennines

💦 Waterfalls, wild swimming and miles and miles of countryside

📺 55” Smart TV, Xbox, games and a separate snug

🐶 Dog towels, throws, treats, toys and even a chest freezer for raw food

And yes, your dogs can get on the sofas. Bring their own linen and they can get on the beds too.

We don't do the whole “well-behaved dogs only” thing here.

Dogs are dogs.

Parents, however, are expected to behave themselves. 😉

Cranmore is quirky, cosy, remote and surrounded by some of the most spectacular countryside in England.

And £500 for Monday to Friday THIS WEEK is probably one of the cheapest chances you'll get to stay here.

I would genuinely rather see it full of muddy paws than sitting empty. ❤️🐾

📱 WhatsApp: 07986 872 178
📞 017687 21703
📧 [email protected]

Website link in the comments 👇

And if you love a last-minute bargain, join our Holidays in Cumbria Facebook group too. That's where I often put cancellations and late availability first.

First person to actually pay the deposit gets it. 😂🐾

The bit of setting up a new holiday cottage that nobody sees... 😂The last-minute trolley dash.Duvets. Mattress protector...
22/08/2026

The bit of setting up a new holiday cottage that nobody sees... 😂

The last-minute trolley dash.

Duvets. Mattress protectors. Pillows. Toilet brushes. Bins. Bath mats. Kitchen bits. Random things you suddenly realise you need approximately 24 hours before opening. 😆

And somehow, despite making lists upon lists upon lists, there is ALWAYS something you've forgotten.

This is the rather less glamorous side of opening a new holiday cottage. 😂

But do you know what?

I absolutely LOVE this bit.

Because this is the moment when an empty house starts becoming a home.

I get to unleash my inner interior designer, while simultaneously giving my inner shopaholic completely legitimate reasons to exist. 🤣

"Yes, of course we need another lamp."

"No, we absolutely cannot use those cushions."

"Oooh... that would look lovely in the bedroom."

And before I know it, I've got a trolley piled ridiculously high and I'm mentally placing everything in rooms before I've even reached the checkout.

But underneath all the shopping and chaos, there's something I genuinely love about creating these cottages.

I don't want them to feel like generic holiday lets.

I want someone to open the door after a five-hour drive, dogs and children piling out of the car, and immediately think...

"Ohhhh. This is lovely." ❤️

That's the bit I'm always working towards.

Five years ago, I never imagined I'd be doing this.

Yet here I am, pushing another trolley full of duvets and toilet brushes around a shop and genuinely having the time of my life. 😂

I love what I do.

And another little Holidays In Cumbria cottage is very nearly ready to meet you... 🏡🐾

Pictures coming VERY soon. 👀

Now tell me...

What is the ONE little thing you find in a holiday cottage that instantly makes it feel like home?

I might just add it to the next trolley. 😂

I am so sad to say this but... 😭We’ve had a VERY last-minute cancellation at Sycamore Cottage, Cumbria.Which means this ...
22/08/2026

I am so sad to say this but... 😭

We’ve had a VERY last-minute cancellation at Sycamore Cottage, Cumbria.

Which means this little cottage is sitting EMPTY from TODAY until Sunday 30th August. 🏡

And rather unexpectedly, there’s some brilliant news for our reactive dog families too... 🐾

Sycamore is now suitable for reactive dogs again! ❤️

The tenant next door has moved out, so if you’ve been waiting for an opportunity to bring your dog somewhere quieter, this might be your chance.

📍 5 minutes from Ennerdale Water
🐝 15 minutes from the sandy beach at St Bees
⛰️ Gorgeous Cumbrian views
🐕 Multiple dogs very welcome
🛏️ Sleeps 2 adults + 2 children
💷 One of our budget-friendly cottages
🌙 2-night stays absolutely fine

And there’s MORE news...

We’re taking on the cottage next door too! 🎉

From 1st September, it will also become part of the Holidays in Cumbria family.

That means you'll soon be able to book TWO neighbouring cottages together, sleeping up to 9 people in total.

Perfect if you want to holiday with friends or family but still want your own front door, your own space and your own kettle! 😂

And because these are our more budget-friendly properties, we intend to keep the prices super affordable.

Pictures of our newest little cottage are coming VERY soon... 👀

But first...

Who fancies a ridiculously last-minute escape to Cumbria THIS WEEK?

Even if you can't make it, please give this a share. Somewhere out there is a dog family who might desperately need a few peaceful days away. ❤️🐾

Follow this page because I’ll be revealing the new cottage very soon, and make sure you join our Holidays in Cumbria Facebook group for cancellations, last-minute dates and offers.

📧 [email protected]
📱 Or hit the WhatsApp button at the top of our page.

Thanks for being a top engager and making it onto my weekly engagement list! 🎉 John Wilkins, Kian Rath, Heather Drummond...
21/08/2026

Thanks for being a top engager and making it onto my weekly engagement list! 🎉 John Wilkins, Kian Rath, Heather Drummond, Bella Scoleri, Sarah Tullius

LATE AVAILABILITY, MASSIVE PRICE DROP: CRANMORE HOUSE22nd to 27th August 2026. Five nights. Over 70% off, now just £700....
19/08/2026

LATE AVAILABILITY, MASSIVE PRICE DROP: CRANMORE HOUSE

22nd to 27th August 2026. Five nights. Over 70% off, now just £700.

This is one of those "why is nobody looking at this" gaps in the diary and we're not going to let it sit empty. Same Cranmore House you already know: remote North Pennines countryside, three fireplaces, private paddock, dark skies, total peace and quiet. Just at a price that makes no sense for what you're getting.

Perfect for a last-minute end-of-summer escape with the dogs before the nights start drawing in.

Unlimited dogs, no extra charges, every dog welcome.

First come, first served, dates like this don't hang around. Drop us a message or WhatsApp to grab it.

WhatsApp: 07986 872 178
017687 21703

Address

Alston

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