Pet friendly holiday cottage, sleeps 4 - Hexham, Northumberland

Tucked between the Northumberland National Park, Kielder Water and Forest Park and the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this rural retreat is an explorers' paradise. Sleeping four guests and one of your dogs, escape to this working farm for a holiday full of stunning scenery and cosy evenings by the wood burner. For special occasions and fun ways to spend your day, arrange for a local chef to cook your dinner or book onto a cookery or gardening course in the nearby dairy barn.

Step up and into this gorgeous abode and head up to the first floor where the open-plan living space welcomes you inside with open arms. Sitting beneath a vaulted ceiling, with exposed stonework and a warming wood burner, this space is perfect for all occasions and exudes character and rustic allure. The cool kitchen is decorated in sultry, dark tones creating a wonderful space in which to chop and slice ingredients to cook up a storm.

The dishwasher is a handy addition to minimise the time you need to spend clearing up after sociable meals. Plate up at the circular table or take a plate outside onto the patio, where a BBQ is great for easy, summer feasts, before sinking into comfortable sofas and chairs and basking in the heat of the wood burner. Head to bed and warm your toes on the underfloor heating before slipping under the covers for a good night's sleep.

Rise and shine and freshen up in your en-suite before wandering down to the bottom of the meadow to stroll the Devil's Water. There is off-road parking for two cars. Time it right and visit the bustling town of Hexham (3 miles) to stock up on local produce and goodies at the twice-weekly market, or the twice-monthly farmers' market.

Travel deep into the Kielder Water and Forest Park and make the 28-mile trip to Tower Knowe Visitor Centre for a bite to eat, gorgeous views and a good place to start your adventure.