1 / 16The Well House
Starbotton, North Yorkshire
An upside down stone house for six at Starbotton in Wharfedale, with an enclosed lawned garden, a boot room for dogs, a lit well and two dogs welcome on leads.
The well is still there. Uncovered during the refurbishment of The Well House and lit from within, it drops 100 feet, and at night you can see all the way to the bottom. The house around it is a dog friendly stone cottage for six and two dogs in Starbotton, in upper Wharfedale.
It is an upside down house. The three bedrooms, a king with its own shower, a double and a bunk room, are on the ground floor with the family bathroom. The door opens into a boot room, which is where boots, coats and wet dogs get sorted before anyone goes further, and the hallway is now a small library of maps. Upstairs, the open plan living room has windows on every side, a wood burner, a new kitchen and an old piano once used for choir practice.
Outside there is an enclosed lawn with two sitting areas, one either side of the house, so you can follow the sun round it, and three steps between them. The owners ask that dogs are on a lead at all times, because this is sheep country and the fields start at the wall. After a day on the tops, it is the view from upstairs that holds everyone: two dogs asleep by the stove and the whole valley in the windows.
The Dales Way passes below the village, reached by a footpath down to the River Wharfe, and there are walks in every direction from the door. Buckden and Hubberholme are just up the valley, Grassington is a short drive south, and Malham Cove and Gordale Scar are over the hill for a bigger day with the dogs.
We research every description carefully and believe it to be accurate, but details can change. Please confirm anything important, especially dog rules, with the booking agent or property owner before you book.
Book your stay
from £617 for 7 nights
The Well House takes 2 dogs and is booked through cottages.com.
Book with cottages.comPrices are a guide only, checked 23 September 2026, and change with dates and availability. We may earn a commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you.
At a Glance
- Dogs Welcome
- 2 dogs
- Enclosed Garden
- Yes
- Enclosed garden with sitting-out area and garden furniture
- Dog Facilities
- Drying room, Stair gate
- Sleeps
- 6 guests
- Rooms
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Price
- from £617 / 7 nights
- Grading
- 4 star
- Arrival
- in from 16:00, out by 10:00
- Facilities
- Ev charging, Open fire, Parking, Wifi
The Well House from £617 for 7 nights
Book with cottages.comFrequently Asked Questions
Is The Well House dog friendly?
Yes, The Well House welcomes up to two dogs. It's well set up for them too — there's a boot room right by the entrance where wet dogs can be sorted out before anyone heads further into the house, and outside there's an enclosed lawn with sitting areas on both sides.
Are dogs allowed at The Well House year round?
The listing doesn't specify any seasonal restrictions, so it's worth contacting the owners directly to confirm availability for your dates. What we can say is that it's a cottage that's clearly built around life with dogs, whatever the season.
What should I know before visiting The Well House with my dog?
The owners ask that dogs are kept on a lead at all times outside, which makes sense — this is sheep country and the fields start right at the garden wall. The enclosed lawn gives dogs a safe space to roam freely, and the boot room is the first stop when you return from a walk, keeping muddy paws well away from the rest of the house.
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The Well House from £617 for 7 nights
Book with cottages.comWhat’s Nearby?
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