Dog friendly holiday cottage, sleeps 8 - Brough, Cumbria

Offering a tranquil rural getaway for large families or groups of friends, this elegant 19th-century farm cottage combines period charm with welcoming cosiness and all the comforts of modern living. With wonderful views and walks from the front door, it's in an idyllic location that's ideal for hiking the fells and exploring nearby market towns and historic sites. Dramatic beams criss-cross the ceiling of the cottage's superb lounge, where a wood burner in an inglenook fireplace adds warmth, and there's a Smart TV for chillout evenings at home.

Draw the curtains and switch on the pretty lighting for a relaxing escape. A separate dining room sits across the hall, with a beautiful antique dresser and more rugged beams. In the kitchen, one step up from either the dining room or the hall, a Belfast sink complements the range cooker and small breakfast bar, and a utility along the hall includes both laundry facilities and a shower.

All four bedrooms, spacious and tastefully furnished, are on the first floor, with views of either fields and fells or the garden and woodland. Also on this floor, the family bathroom boasts a free-standing bath on a raised plinth and a separate shower. The tiered front garden includes a seating area with gorgeous vistas over the valley, ready for al fresco drinks and dining in the sunshine or under the stars.

Within easy reach of the North Pennines, the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District National Park, the cottage is located just 2.5 miles from the village of Brough, which has a shop, pubs and a seasonal ice-cream parlour. While there, take a look around its impressive ruined Norman castle. In the historic market town of Kirkby Stephen, 7 miles, you'll find an appealing variety of shops, galleries, pubs, cafes and restaurants.