The best dog-friendly hotels in the Lake District
Your four-legged friend will feel equally as pampered and well rested as you at these hotels in the beautiful Lake District
Escape the hustle and bustle and head to England’s largest national park with your four-legged friend in tow. Known for its breathtaking lakes, soaring mountains and spectacular views, the Lake District is renowned the world-over for its inimitable walking spots, as well as being one of the most dog-friendly areas in the whole of the UK. Your dog will be in their element exploring some of the most celebrated scenery.
Whether you’re ticking off tours and lakes, hiking or taking a leisurely stroll, the Lake District is the perfect place for your dog to join you for a holiday, allowing you to ‘paws’ for thought and take in the spectacular backdrop that inspired the likes of William Wordsworth.
One of the best places for dog lovers in the country, there are countless dog-friendly hotels to cater for the growing number of dog-owners looking for that memorable escape. From lakeside cabins and woodland lodges to country house hotels and opulent manors, the Lake District has your dog-friendly stay covered – whether it’s a night’s getaway, a weekend break or a longer holiday.
Read on to discover our pick of the very best dog-friendly hotels in the Lake District.
Victorian House Hotel, Grasmere, Lake District
Located close to the centre of pretty Grasmere, Victorian House Hotel is a relaxed dog-friendly property, providing the perfect escape with your four-legged friend in tow.
A traditional Victorian hotel with a contemporary thread fused with stylish vintage interiors – a mix of flea market finds and modern furnishings – in keeping with its heritage. There’s a laid-back vibe, ensuring muddy walkers and their dogs feel welcome and homemade cake appears mid-afternoon. Canine companions are greeted with bowls, towels and treats and allowed through all of the downstairs areas.
This dog-friendly Lake District hotel sits at the centre of the village with its traditional pubs and shops – the Wordsworth Museum, Dove Cottage and the lake is 15-minutes’ walk away, and a 10-minute drive takes you to Ambleside. Enjoy a Cumbrian grill for breakfast and a focus on local beers and spirits in The Garden Room Bar.
Inn on the lake, Ullswater, Lake District
A gorgeous spot to stay with your four-legged friend in tow – Inn on the Lake right sits right on the shores of Ullswater. It’s a handsome Victorian property and a superb dog-friendly hotel, perfectly positioned for long lakeside walks and valley views – a special place to relax after a day on the trails, five-minutes from the village of Glenridding with its cafés and shops and just 30-minutes to the market town of Keswick.
Expect spacious, elegant bedrooms with a contemporary classic design, well-manicured lawns, and a large patio to enjoy alfresco drinks – the extensive gardens take you to the shores of the vast Cumbrian lake. Huge floor-to-ceiling windows in the Orangery restaurant provide panoramic views of the stunning surroundings and the Lake View restaurant is perfect for the chef’s seasonal menu and afternoon tea.
There are plenty of dog-friendly rooms, and your pooch will be allowed in all public areas, except the Lounge Bar and Lake View restaurant.
Lancrigg, Grasmere, Lake District
Surrounded by lush gardens and spectacular views, Lancrigg is an informal dog-friendly Lake District country house hotel with fell views and walks from the doorstep. A 17th-century farmhouse, extended in Victorian times to a homely country house – décor fuses heritage features including plastered ceilings and shutters with a mix of vintage and mid-century modern furnishings.
It’s a blissfully remote spot, yet Pretty Grasmere with its famous gingerbread shops is just 15-minutes’ stroll away. The hotel sits on the main path leading up to Helm Crag, a moderate climb with spectacular views and Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage and Rydal Mount are also nearby.
Dogs are welcomed in five of the rooms with beds and bowls. The vibe is relaxed and bedrooms are cosy – think low beams, stunning valley views and Bath House products. Head to the Poet’s Café Bar for relaxed pub classics in front of a roaring fire.
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Rothay Manor, Ambleside, Lake District
A gorgeous dog-friendly hotel in the Lake District, this white-washed Regency villa with sweeping lawned gardens is surrounded by woodland and stunning views, just ten-minutes’ walk from Ambleside, at the northern tip of Lake Windermere.
Rothay Manor is a smart country house hotel with an understated style and seriously good restaurant, perfect for a relaxing escape with your four-legged friend. There’s an elegant dining room with dark wooden floors, soft grey panelling, bold wallpaper and floor-to-ceiling shuttered windows and two sitting rooms, with fires overlooking the gardens.
Dogs are made to feel welcome with a bed, bowl, towel and treats and there’s a smart dog-wash in the dedicated boot room – your pals will also enjoy the freedom of the hotel grounds. The 3 AA Rosette restaurant serves seasonal dishes with a focus on locally sourced produce, and there’s a great wine list with emphasis on smaller English wine producers.
Haweswater Hotel, Bampton, Lake District
A classic 1930s property, overlooking remote Haweswater, the eponymously named Haweswater Hotel is a superb dog-friendly spot, set in the quieter east of the Lakes, providing a cosseted retreat for walkers, nature lovers and architect enthusiasts.
Built in 1937 when the valley was flooded to create the reservoir – it’s a brilliant example of an Art Deco-Modernist style with lots of attention-to-detail, original features and rooms that overlook the lake; think large leather sofas, original 1930s fireplaces, frosted light fittings with art deco advertising posters, clocks and mirrors.
Bedrooms are cosy spaces, with the balcony rooms boasting stunning views across the lake. Your four-legged friends are welcomed in several of the rooms and are able to join you for dinner in the bar. Head to the Art Deco Brasserie for modern British cuisine or the cosy lounge and bar for casual dining and light bites.
Inn on the Square, Keswick, Lake District
Brilliantly positioned in the centre of Keswick, overlooking the market square, this former coaching inn-turned-contemporary hotel is a great base to explore the Lakes. There’s a cool Scandi vibe throughout, along with a great cocktail bar and an open-plan restaurant – think bold modern art, blingy mirrors and Danish-style furniture set against striking wallpapers and a Lofi soundtrack playing in the background.
The same pared-back Scandi design runs through the rooms – those on the top floor have views of the fells, whilst front-facing Town rooms overlook Market Square. The Steakhouse has a buzzy open-kitchen, brightly-coloured design and hearty dishes and the Back Bar is a cosy dog-friendly space to enjoy relaxed pub classics.
Inn on the Square is a superb dog-friendly Lake District hotel with a twice-weekly market out front, along with shops, cafés, pubs and the Pencil Museum five-minutes’ stroll away and just ten-minutes’ walk to the lake.
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