The 20 Best Dog Friendly Hotels in the Lake District

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With all those fells, woods and lakeside paths crying out to be walked and explored, it’s no surprise that the Lake District is a big attraction for dog-owners. Many hotels and pubs go out of their way to welcome both dogs – indeed, all sorts of pets – and their owners. The best dog-friendly hotels in the Lake District vary from traditional inns in more remote villages and valleys to top of the range luxury hotels. Many offer treats and welcome packs, some have ground-floor rooms with direct access to the property's grounds and others allow dogs to sit alongside owners at meal-times.

Rural dog friendly hotels

• If you want a Lake District dog-friendly hotel where you can head out straight from your bedroom door on a rambling walk, take a look at the Queens Head, a smart pub in the Troutdale valley overlooking Windermere.
• For tougher walking, the Wasdale Head Inn – a mountaineer’s favourite watering hole – at the remote head of Wasdale offers plenty of choices. Scafell Pike, Scafell and Great Gable are just a few of the fells you can do from here. Well behaved dogs are welcome both in the Inn and its self-catering cottages.
• For somewhere peaceful, take a look at Haweswater Hotel or Crake Trees Manor, both in the eastern lakes, and both lovely retreats.
• And dogs stay free at the Masons Arms near Cartmel Fell in the south-eastern Lake District. The dog-friendly rooms have their own private access and terraces, too.
• Nearby Hare and Hounds is a dog-friendly, 16th-century inn with a homely feel and good cask ales.
• The George & Dragon, a gastropub near Penrith provides special welcome packs for your four legged friend including personally tested walking routes.

Luxury dog-friendly hotels

• For a luxurious dog-friendly hotel, Forest Side near Grasmere offers ground-floor rooms with direct access to the hotel’s lovely grounds.
• Linthwaite House Hotel has three ground floor rooms with direct access to the grounds; dog beds and bowls are provided too.
• Holbeck Ghyll on the eastern slopes of Windermere has several dog-friendly bedrooms in a separate block from the main hotel.
• Its close neighbour, The Samling, which rivals it for views over the lake, also offers dog-friendly rooms plus walking routes.
• At the swish Applegarth Villa in Windermere, dogs are allowed in two suites and receive welcome packs; no charge!
• While at the Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa in Borrowdale dogs can join their owners in the library lounge at meal-times.

Dog-friendly hotels in towns

• The Sun Inn in Kirkby Lonsdale offers special doggy welcome packs, and, like many dog-friendly inns in the Lake District and Cumbria, are happy to serve meals in the bar areas so dogs can sit with their owners.
• The Black Bull in Sedbergh, where there’s excellent walking in the Howgill Fells, also allows dogs in the bar.
• As does the Royal Oak, a traditional pub in the heart of Keswick.
• At Lindeth Howe, near Bowness, the ground-floor bedrooms have patios and direct access to the garden.
• At Lancrigg, just outside the picture-perfect village of Grasmere, you can walk straight on to the fells or down through the village to a lakeshore walk along Grasmere lake.
• Rothay Manor, on the outskirts of Ambleside, is another good choice for lakeshore walks; Windermere is just a 10-minute stroll away.
• Both dogs and children are assured of a family-friendly welcome at The Crown Inn at Pooley Bridge.
• While at The Halston aparthotel in Carlisle, dogs are welcomed with bowls and treats.

Still not sure?

• Expand your search to include our selection of all the best hotels in the Lake District
• or all the best places to stay in Cumbria.
• Alternatively contact a friendly guru for advice.