This stay in Northumberland was on my bucket list, here’s why…

Have you ever found a place that when you step foot inside, you instantly do not want to leave?

Nestled among the trees right on the border of Northumberland and Scotland sits Tiptoe Retreat. Being less than 1.5 hours from both Edinburgh and Newcastle, it is the absolute perfect escape from the busyness of everyday life.

It had been on my bucket list for ages, and after finally staying there, I can tell you it lives up to every bit of the hype. Tiptoe Retreat currently has two absolutely stunning treetop cabins. I had been eyeing up the Howlet cabin for a while, specifically for its gorgeous outdoor bath area and the colourful yet calming interiors. We managed to book a stay for my birthday at the end of last year. As the retreat is situated in a designated Dark Skies area, sitting in that outdoor bath during the autumn months was an amazing stargazing experience. Looking up at a blanket of stars while surrounded by nothing but nature was truly magical.

From the second we arrived, I knew I didn’t want to leave. And honestly? They make it incredibly easy for you to stay put. You can enjoy walks right from the doorstep, go fishing in the river, sit in the sauna or even join an on-site pilates or bread making class. They have truly thought of everything.

If you do decide to tear yourself away from the cabin, the surrounding area has lots of beautiful history and scenery. Here are a few things I would recommend:

Right from the Farm (No Car Needed):

• Duddo Five Stones Circle: A really cool ancient monument roughly a 45-minute walk from the farm.

• Etal: Walk into the nearby village to explore the historic Etal Castle, there is also a local pub called The Black Bull.

A short drive away:

Take a 30 minute drive to the breath taking Holy Island (which I would 100% recommend you do). Here are my tips for your visit:

• Definitely check the safe crossing times!!!

• Grab a coffee at Pilgrims Coffee House & Roastery and take a stroll toward Lindisfarne Castle.

• Be sure to pop into the Window on Wild Lindisfarne viewing glass along the way to spot local wildlife.

Lindisfarne Castle

Or head roughly a 40 minute drive to Bamburgh for a stroll on what has been voted the third best beach in the world by Tripadvisor. It is a beautiful place to visit, with miles of beach to explore, and you can’t forget about the breath taking Bamburgh Castle that sits right on the beachfront (just to note it’s not dog friendly). There is nothing better than grabbing a hot drink and watching the sunset along the beach.

Whatever you choose to do with your day, returning to the peace of Tiptoe Retreat in the evening is the best feeling. Especially knowing that it is a genuinely dog friendly stay, not just a dog tolerant place. They even provide a dog hamper and a blanket so your dog can curl up on the sofa with you which Skye absolutely loved. She sat on the sofa with us with the log burner on watching the birds out the windows.

We loved our initial stay so much that we actually returned just a couple of months ago where we stayed in their lovely Borderview Cottage. The cottage is great for a family, two couples or friends to get away. It offers peaceful views right across the Scottish borders and an amazing wood fired hot tub in the garden.

No matter which accommodation you choose, you are greeted with a delicious welcome hamper packed with local produce and goodies. What makes this place feel so special is that it's a genuine family farm, and the owners are the loveliest people. You can clearly see how much they care about the place and making sure you have a great stay.

Whether you are planning a trip to Northumberland or just passing through on your way up to Scotland, I couldn’t recommend adding this place to your bucket list enough. It is hands down one of the best stays we have ever had where we made memories that we will cherish for a lifetime!

Dog Friendly Stays in the Lake District

From foodie spots, luxury stays and escapes in nature, here are 6 of my favourite dog friendly places to stay in the Lakes..

The Yan at Broadrayne (Grasmere)

Best for: Fab dining and instant access to the fells.

If you take only one piece of advice from this guide, let it be this: you need to visit The Yan for their Sunday roast. They serve up some of the best food we have had in a long time, in an atmosphere that makes you feel right at home.

It sits just a stone’s throw away from Grasmere which is my absolute favorite part of the lakes meaning you have beautiful walks right on your doorstep. If you are looking for a walk that starts in Grasmere after you have grabbed a coffee from Lucia's Coffee + Bakehouse, you need to hike Easedale Tarn, it is a stunning waterfall trail that won’t disappoint.

Alternatively you can grab a map from reception, head out the hotel door and hike Seat Sandal. It’s an incredibly underrated Wainwright great for avoiding big crowds but delivers stunning views.. that way you can end back at The Yan for some delicious grub.

P.S. you might even spot some of my own photography on display in the hotel! 🐑

Cartmel Old Grammar (Cartmel)

Best for: Michelin-star dining access, race course views and gorgeous summer gardens.

Cartmel Old Grammar is located in the southern lakes and offers beautiful country house interiors and stunning views directly over the famous Cartmel Racecourse. It features fantastic food, gorgeous interiors, dog-friendly rooms, and a garden that is perfect for an Aperol in the sun.

Foodie Tip: If you are planning a bucket-list visit to Simon Rogan’s three-Michelin-star restaurant L’Enclume, this hotel is the perfect base because it's completely walkable to the restaurant which is great after the 3-4 hour sitting.

The Penn Hotel (Windermere)

Best for: Central convenience, walkable and gorgeous rooms.

While the hotel doesn’t have grounds or dining facilities - If you want a stylish base where you can park up and walk everywhere, this hotel right in the heart of the Lake District is a great option. It’s completely walkable to the center of Windermere, giving you easy access to shops, cafes, and pubs. I’d recommend trying Homeground Coffee + Kitchen for brunch, Toast for lunch and Base Pizza for dinner.

We stayed in a ground floor dog friendly room featuring a stunning roll-top bath, which was the ultimate luxury after a long day of walking.

Aynesome Manor Hotel (Near Cartmel)

Best for: Pure luxury and the best place to spoil your dog.

Located towards the bottom of the Lake District, Aynesome Manor is an absolutely stunning luxury hotel that went above and beyond for our dog, Skye. Seriously, she was so incredibly spoilt here!

They feature a dedicated dog-friendly lounge where you can relax together, and the staff showered her with treats. They even have a custom dog wash station to clean off muddy paws after a day of walks. Combine that with a fantastic breakfast, evening turndown service, and a complimentary chauffeur service into Cartmel village, and you have a perfect luxury retreat. I recommend grabbing dinner at Cavendish Arms Cartmel for a cosy pub serving great food.

Snittlegarth Farm Lodges (Near Ireby)

Best for: A peaceful, budget-friendly escape in nature.

In the Northern lakes you'll find Snittlegarth Farm. We stayed in their cosy shepherd's hut called The Ewe, and it is very reasonably priced compared to a lot of spots in the area! They have a variety of accommodations to choose from, perfect for all the family.

Because it’s a genuine, working farm, it is extremely peaceful. We loved waking up to the birds chirping and watching red squirrels climbing trees from the shepherds hut. Keep in mind that it doesn't have an enclosed garden space, but if you're looking for a quiet, off-the-grid style escape surrounded by nature, this is an absolute dream… plus you can actually walk a wainwright right from the farm! Binsey is a shorter fell but definitely one worth ticking off, great if you don’t want to drive to complete a hike.

Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa (Bassenthwaite Lake)

Best for: A grand luxury escape and a chance to relax at their peaceful spa.

If you want a truly grand place to stay that is also dog friendly, this 17th-century former stately home is the spot. It sits on a massive estate right on the shores of Bassenthwaite Lake, not too far from Keswick.

The grounds are absolutely stunning and on a summer's day I swear you feel like you're in Italy. Alongside the fantastic food, the outdoor spa facilities are incredibly peaceful which is the ultimate post hike reward.

Whilst it isn’t the cheapest, it is definitely a worthwhile treat staying here. We visited for my birthday and I can safely say, sitting with a coffee looking out to the lakes views was definitely a special birthday treat.

Located right by the Lake District Wildlife Park and easy access to Dodd Wood Forest, there is plenty for you to do here.