Scott Antcliffe heads to Cumbria, where he enjoys a relaxing few days walking his dog, and maxing out his time in the hot tub
Lola outside Middle Lodge
There is a specific kind of silence that comes with a getaway in early March. The crisp air of late winter meeting the first whispers of spring. For us, this trip to the edge of the Lake District and the Scottish Border was more than just a holiday, it was a milestone. It was our first dog friendly review with our new three-year-old Border Collie, Lola, since losing our beloved Border Collie, Drift, in December 2024. Also joining us were the newest additions to our pack: three-month-old twins, Evie and Dillon, which made this our first family holiday together. We were bound for Netherby Hall (CA6 5PR), a grand estate near Carlisle that promised the perfect blend of luxury and dog friendly practicality. We checked into Middle Lodge on a Monday afternoon, and the high-standard finish was immediately apparent. For parents travelling with infants and a high- energy dog, the layout was a dream. With two spacious bedrooms featuring king-size beds (and travel cots already set up for us), a cosy living room/diner, and a separate lounge, we had plenty of space to breathe. The kitchen was the highlight, stocked with every utensil imaginable and ample cupboard space for the mountain of supplies twins require. It is also self-catered, which gave us the flexibility to cook and eat our own meals around the twins. The added bonus was having a secure, private garden.
Talkin Tar Circular Walk
After the whirlwind of packing and travel, we spent Monday evening simply ‘being’. Once the babies were settled in their cots, we fired up the private wood-fired hot tub. There is something truly therapeutic about soaking in steaming water under a dark Cumbrian sky while your dog snoozes happily by the door. There are plenty of firelighters, kindling and logs to keep the hot-tub fuelled. Tuesday morning saw us heading to Talkin Tarn Country Park (CA8 1LD). For those with double buggies and dogs, this is a must-visit. The circular walk around the glacial lake-formed some 18,000 years ago is flat, accessible, and roughly two miles long. Parking is only £1.50 per hour or £2.70 for the full day. We took a steady pace, enjoying the views before ducking into the dog friendly cafe, the Tarn. It’s wonderfully set up for four-legged visitors, with water bowls scattered inside and out, and treats available at the counter. You can even buy duck food if you want to keep the local bird population happy. Despite it being a Tuesday morning, the Tarn had a lovely, bustling energy. On the way back, we stopped in the historic market town of Brampton. It’s a great spot to stock up on essentials at the Spar or Co-op, but the real gem was the Howard Arms (CA8 1NG). This is a proper dog friendly pub. The owners’ dogs were happily lounging inside, clearly part of the furniture, and Lola was more than happy to join the club. Food was excellent. I went for a shredded garlic chicken and cheese sandwich with chips, while Lorna had a fried halloumi salad. Lola, of course, managed to negotiate a few bitesof chicken.Back at Netherby Hall, we explored the estate grounds. While dogs must be kept on leads near the main house, they have a fantastic, dedicated fenced-off exercise area where Lola could finally burn off some steam off-lead. We finished the day exactly as we did the previous evening, in the hot tub.
Hermitage Castle
Wednesday was a day of two halves. We started with a ten-minute hop over the border to Caledonia Park Designer Outlet (DG16 5GG) in Gretna. Arriving just after opening, we had the place almost to ourselves. It has water stations dotted around and ‘Dogs Welcome’ stickers on most shop windows, excluding the food outlets. From there, we took the scenic route to Kielder Water (NE48 1BT). The hour-long drive is a treat in itself, zigzagging across the river Esk and flirting with the Scottish Border. Kielder is vast; it’s the largest man-made lake in Northern Europe, and offers everything from easy shoreline paths to the 26-mile Lakeside Way. Because we had the twins, we stuck to the more sheltered forest trails near the water’s edge, which provided plenty of sniffing opportunities for Lola .We stopped at The Hide,a beautiful cafe overlooking the water. A lovely staff member named Kate made a huge fuss over Lola and the twins, providing a freshwater bowl and a treat. We enjoyed our coffee and cake (we’d brought a picnic for lunch) while soaking in the tranquillity. On the drive back, we stumbled across The Hermitage Forest area (TD9 8SY), and it was too good to pass up. This hidden gem features a dramatic riverside setting with a historic folly perched above the water. The short woodland walk along the river Teviot is peaceful and atmospheric, with a slightly rugged feel – perfect for stretching the legs before heading back. And yes, we finished the day with another hot tub session.
Netherby Hall
On Thursday morning, after checking out, we made a short 20-minute drive into Carlisle. We parked at Heads Lane Car Park (CA3 8AQ), which was just £1 per hour, payable on exit. We had hoped to explore Carlisle Castle, but it was closed until April. Still, it’s an impressive sight from years of history, having played a key role in conflicts between England and Scotland. Instead, we enjoyed a wander around the city before heading to The Buttered Cat for one final treat. It’s a small but dog friendly cafe, and although seating inside is limited, sitting outside worked perfectly for us with the pram. The coffee and cake here were easily our favourites of the trip. Lorna went for the school cake, while I opted for a Gold Bar rocky road; both were absolutely superb. Lola made a new friend in the form of a friendly chocolate Labrador at the next table, and we all soaked up some rare early March sunshine. For us, it was more than just a break. It was a gentle, restorative few days, a chance to reset, make new memories, and enjoy the simple things. Good walks, good food and time together (most of it spent in a hot tub).And for Lola? Safe to say, she approved.
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Sitting Room – Middle Cottage
Fact File
Property – Middle Lodge, Netherby Hall, Longtown, Carlise, CA6 5PR
Contact – 01228 792732
Price – For a weekend break £861. For a week long stay, costs £1847.33, sleeps up to 4 people.
Website – netherbyhall.co.uk
