“Nice place but don’t take the dog!”
Lesketh How is a large Lakeland property with wraparound gardens. It has been divided into six separate units, two being holiday lets and the remaining four permanent or semi-permanent homes. As a dog owner, when booking a holiday home, I always seek a dog friendly place with its own garden. From the advert and photographs ‘Take Five’ appeared to satisfy both criteria. It does NOT! On entering the property, the first thing we saw was this notice: -
“Dear Guests and Dog lovers,
The grounds around the house are private. Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times and all poop must be scooped. We have had complaints that some dogs have been worrying the muntjac deer and their babies in the grounds. Due to this, and dog fouling, we will now be deducting £100 from your deposit if we receive complaints about your stay. Many thanks for your cooperation. Jane”
N.b. Male Muntjac deer have long fangs and sharp antlers which can inflict serious damage to a dog.
Had I been aware of the situation at this property before booking and paying the relevant fees, which I should have been, then I’d never in a million years have booked this property. In fairness to the permanent residents, who I learned are not happy with some irresponsible dog owners, if I lived there, I’d be complaining too. The place is simply not appropriate for dogs.
The actual property is by and large as described in the advert. It’s in an ideal location for Ambleside and some great Lakeland walks. It is clean and very well equipped with a wide range of kitchen paraphernalia. There are some lovely views from the living/patio area and the main upstairs bedroom. A matter not shown or referred to in the advertising of this property is a stile that has been erected from the patio area onto the ‘private’ gardens. Presumably access for maintenance. It’s a high climb on the patio side with a very significant drop on the garden side. Near the foot of the stile on the garden side is the thick wooden base of a step. Anyone climbing this stile and losing their balance i.e. a child could sustain a serious injury.
I booked this property to celebrate an important anniversary. Put simply I didn’t get what I thought I’d paid for which took the shine off the week. My perception is that this property is being mis marketed and managed. It’s unfair to dog owners and the permanent residents of Lesketh How. It’s a great place for adults and older children but no place to take a dog!
