Hello everyone

I haven't been on Champdogs much since Christmas as January is the busiest time at work so a belated Happy New Year to you all!

This is obviously not an urgent problem!! We have been thinking about holidays this year and have narrowed it down to probably the Lake District or Northumbria - we haven't been to either before.  Unfortunately we  have to go in August because of my partners work and we have been told that the Lake District is a nightmare at that time of year by some people and by others that it can be fine depending where you go - we know next to nothing about Northumbria apart from its supposed to be lovely.  Basically I just wondered if anyone could recommend either place and any particular area.  We like to stay in a cottage or similar and generally eat mainly 'at home' - quite happy for almost complete isolation as long as we can drive to somewhere to buy food and wine.  Obviously we also need it to be as dog friendly as possible and preferably with lots of water nearby for Ella to swim in.  Can she go on beaches in Northumbria in August?  We also like lots of country walking which we haven't done much of since we had Ella but hopefully can do more now she's nearly 18m.

Thank you very much and sorry this is so long, I do have a tendancy to waffle!
Best wishes
Alex

Alex, you have saved me having to post :D

I understand the Lake District is literally smothered with sheep everywhere so not too sure if it is great for restful dog walking, but would like to hear others' experiences :)

Llindsay

Last year we stayed at an apartment in keswick in the lake district.
Beautiful place, lovely apartments and cottages in complex. All mod cons in apartment (washer/dryer/dishwasher/cd etc)
Sited in safe large 6ft fenced garden area with children's play stuff and tables, sunbeds etc and  Private tennis courts. Lovely patio area also with tables and chairs for dining al fresco, also lovely to sit and have a glass of wine or 2 at night when kids are in bed.
Pets welcome in accomodation and dog friendly area surrounded by the beautiful lakes.
Loads to do in surrounding area and within walking distance of shops.
Dogs welcome in lots of surrounding pubs and hotels.
bridge house
Planning to go back again soon.
Regards,
Linda :-)

There are loads of companies that specialise in cottages etc in the Lake District and allow pets (look at the book Pets Welcome).  August is fairly diabolical near the larger expanses of water such as coniston, windermere and derwent but you can find more isolated places that you may enjoy.

Fell walking is very enjoyable if you have a sheep proof dog.

Some of Blakes holidays take dogs in there cottages

Northumbria is beautiful, the beaches are mostly dog friendly, but remember that the open expanses of moorland towards the borders are also full of sheep so not suitable for dogs.  But loads of great places  you can safely walk with them.  For instance they are very welcome in the grounds of Alnwick Castle (home of Duke of Northumberland) although not in the lovely  new "Duchess' Garden".  The Dukes estate actually does have holiday cottages to let, unfortunatley I cant remember any web details, but I know they appeared in a couple of the cottage letting brochures produced by the Tourist board.  If you are wanting something close to the coast consider the villages of Craster, Dunstanbrugh, Beadnell, Seahouses, Bambrugh.  We probably have more castles (and ruins of castles) than any other part of the UK!  If you want to be inland then lots of cottages around Keilder Water (big man made lake, lots of activities) which also has some cut little timber lodges.  Great dog walking all round (but mind those sheep!)  you could also consider something in the Alston area, which is pretty much mid way between Northumberland and the Lakes, so you could access both.  Or how about the Eden Valley, which edges onto the East of the Lake District, and is wonderfully wild and picturesque?  Kirby Stephen, Brough and Applebby (but avoid Horse Fair Week!) never seem to get to full - certainly not like Kendall, Keswick etc.
bye
Gwen

Thank you very much for your replies - I do apologise for not replying earlier but have not been able to access a computer for a few days.  Having just read on here what some people are going through at the moment I think I'm lucky to be able to go away at all.
I do appreciate your help and hope it has helped you too Lindsay:).  Gwen, I have printed out your reply which is really helpful - I think we have decided against the Lake District and are definitely heading towards Northumbria although I'm going to look into the other places you suggest as they all sound just our sort of thing.  Ella is quite happy on lead (she's in season at the moment so getting very used to it!!) so the sheep won't be a problem as long as there are safe places we can take her for a run and it sounds like the beaches there are perfect.  Just off to look at cottages!!
Thanks again.
Best wishes
Alex