Dog friendly Cumbria & the Lake District

make amazing memories with your four-legged friend

There’s nowhere quite like the Lake District with a dog. England’s largest national park covers 912 square miles of open fells, wooded valleys and shimmering lakes, and almost all of it welcomes four-legged visitors. Cumbria has earned its reputation as the canine capital of the UK, and it’s easy to see why. Dogs can roam the fells, swim in the lakes, ride the steamers, and collapse by the fire in a proper pub afterwards.

Whether you’re based in Ambleside, Keswick, Windermere, Coniston or the quieter valleys of Borrowdale and Buttermere, you’re never far from a spectacular walk, a cosy dog-friendly place to stay, and somewhere to eat that won’t raise an eyebrow at muddy paws under the table.

This page brings it all together: places to stay, walks, pubs and cafes, and days out, so you can plan your Lake District trip in one place.

Dog Friendly Places to Stay in the Lake District

From lakeside hotels to stone-built cottages in quiet valleys

The Lake District has everything from boutique lakeside hotels to cosy cottages tucked into quiet valleys. Whether you want luxury with a spa and lake swimming, a romantic retreat with an outdoor bath, or a family farmhouse with space to spread out, there’s something here for every dog and every budget.

Hotels

Another Place, The Lake sits right on the shores of Ullswater, arguably the most beautiful of all the lakes. This is the adventure hotel: 18 acres of grounds running down to the waterfront, outdoor hot tubs, paddle-boarding, kayaking, and a swim club for braver souls. Dogs are welcomed throughout the hotel (up to two per room), with beds and bowls provided. The Living Space restaurant is dog-friendly, and the grounds offer off-lead freedom for well-behaved dogs.

Rothay Manor Hotel is a boutique country house in the heart of Ambleside, walking distance to the village, the lake, and some of the best fell walks in the Lakes. Eight of the 23 bedrooms are dog-friendly, and the dog amenities are a cut above: George Barclay luxury dog beds, a dedicated dog wash facility, and treats on arrival. Dogs are welcome in the drawing room by the log fire.

The Borrowdale Hotel has been welcoming guests to one of the Lake District’s most dramatic valleys since 1866. Surrounded by fells on all sides, with walks to Grange, Lodore Falls, and Castle Crag from the doorstep. Up to two dogs per room, with beds, bowls, treats and drying towels provided. The standout: dogs stay free on stays of two nights or more.

Cottages & Self-Catering

Three of our Lake District cottages sit in the same hamlet at Ravenstonedale on the eastern edge of Cumbria. Shepherd’s Cottage is pure romance: a one-bedroom retreat with a handmade four-poster bed, an outdoor roll-top bath, and a hot tub for stargazing. Angel Barn is a 15th-century barn conversion sleeping six, with stone walls, a wood-burning stove and a wood-fired hot tub on the sunset patio. The Farmhouse is the largest of the three, a Grade II listed Georgian farmhouse sleeping eight with four bedrooms, an enclosed walled garden with fell views, and the option of a private chef. All three welcome unlimited dogs, each with their own welcome hamper, and all have won Dog Friendly Accommodation of the Year at the Staycation Awards.

Over in Little Langdale, two properties sit within walking distance of the Three Shires Inn. Lowfield House is a five-bedroom, 5-Star Gold holiday home sleeping ten, with panoramic valley views from the hot tub, three-quarter acres of enclosed dog-proof grounds, and up to four dogs included free. Wetherlam View is the newest addition to our collection: a contemporary chalet-style retreat sleeping eight, with a professional indoor dog wash station, a dedicated underfloor-heated dog hideaway, a sauna, and fell views through floor-to-ceiling bi-fold doors.

Dog Friendly Walks in the Lake District

Open fells, wooded valleys, lakeside paths and waterfall walks

The Lake District has some of the finest dog walking in Britain. With 14 walks already on our site and plenty more to explore, you could come back every month for a year and still find new ground. Dogs are welcome almost everywhere. On the open fells above the farmland, most dogs can go off-lead. Near livestock, especially during lambing season from March to June, they’ll need to be on a lead. Most forests allow off-lead on the trails.

Tarn Hows is the postcard walk. An easy circular around one of the most photographed tarns in the Lake District, surrounded by fells and woodland. Flat, accessible, and beautiful in every season. Autumn is particularly special when the larches turn gold. Dogs on lead (National Trust). A brilliant first-day walk when you’ve just arrived and want something beautiful without breaking a sweat.

Aira Force & Gowbarrow Fell features a spectacular 65-foot waterfall tumbling through a wooded gorge on the shores of Ullswater. The short walk to the falls is magical, but extend up to Gowbarrow Fell for panoramic views across the lake. Dogs on lead near the falls. Combine with Ullswater Steamers for a proper day out.

Loughrigg Fell & Rydal Cave is a moderate fell walk above Ambleside with a hidden cave to explore. Panoramic views over Windermere and Grasmere from the top. Dogs love the cave. A good half-day walk, easily reached from Ambleside or Grasmere.

Walla Crag is the classic Keswick walk. A steady climb through Castlehead Wood to the crag, then dramatic views straight down over Derwentwater and across to Catbells. About 4 miles return. Dogs on lead through the lower fields, then off-lead on the fell.

Helm Crag is known as the “Lion and the Lamb” for its distinctive rocky summit above Grasmere. Short but properly steep, and the top is a scramble over rocks, so agile dogs only for the final section. One of those walks that makes you feel like you’ve really done something, even though it’s only a couple of miles.

Whinlatter Forest is Forestry England’s Lake District base, with 10 marked trails from 1 to 10 miles through pine forest above Keswick. Dogs off-lead on the forest trails, which makes this a favourite for dogs who need to run. There’s a visitor centre with a cafe at the start, and red squirrel viewing hides if you’re lucky. A brilliant option when the fell tops are in cloud.

Stock Ghyll Force is a beautiful 70-foot waterfall tucked into a wooded gorge, and the walk starts right from the centre of Ambleside. Follow the stream up through the woods and you’re there in 15 minutes. Perfect for a quick morning walk before breakfast, or as a warm-up before something bigger.

Derwentwater offers a lakeside circuit around one of the most beautiful lakes in the District. Flat and accessible, with views to Catbells, Skiddaw, and Borrowdale at every turn. Dogs can swim at several points around the shore. Combine with the Keswick Launch service (dogs ride free) to do a half-circuit walk and cruise back.

More walks worth knowing about

Catbells is probably the most popular fell walk in the Lake District, and the one everyone does first. At just 451 metres it’s short but iconic, with views down over Derwentwater from the summit that make you stand still and stare. There’s a bit of scrambling near the top, so it suits agile dogs best. You can catch the Derwentwater Launch from Keswick to the Hawes End landing and walk up from there (dogs ride the boat for free).

Buttermere Lake Circuit is a flat 4.5-mile circuit around Buttermere with mountain views on every side. Arguably the most scenic easy walk in the Lake District. You’ll pass Sourmilk Gill waterfall tumbling down the fellside, walk through a rock tunnel, and have the lake beside you the whole way. Dogs on lead near livestock in the surrounding fields.

Grizedale Forest is a Forestry England forest between Windermere and Coniston, home to the UK’s largest site-specific sculpture collection. Over 10 walking trails from 1 to 10 miles wind through the trees, with sculptures appearing around corners when you least expect them. Dogs off-lead on the forest trails.

Elterwater & Skelwith Force is a gentle village-to-village walk connecting two of Langdale’s prettiest spots via Skelwith Force waterfall. Mostly flat, following the river through woodland and open meadow. Good for older dogs or a rest day between bigger fells. The Britannia Inn at Elterwater is dog-friendly, or Chesters by the River at Skelwith Bridge has excellent cake and riverside tables.

More walks on our site: Hallin Fell (short Ullswater viewpoint), Sale Fell (quiet fell near Bassenthwaite), Dodd Wood (red squirrel woodland near Keswick), Glenridding Dodd (easy fell above Ullswater), Dufton Pike (Eden Valley fell), and Coniston Copper Mines (industrial heritage above Coniston).

For our full guide to the best Lake District dog walks, with parking postcodes, distances, and what to expect, see our Ultimate Guide to Lake District Dog Walks.

Dog Friendly Pubs & Cafes in the Lake District

Flagstone floors, real fires, and water bowls before you’ve sat down

After a day on the fells, you need somewhere that’ll welcome a wet dog without a second glance. The Lake District does dog-friendly pubs better than almost anywhere. Here are some of our favourites, paired with the walks they sit closest to.

The Drunken Duck Inn, Ambleside is perched on a hill above Ambleside with views across to the Langdale Pikes. Dogs are welcome in the bar area and on the terrace, and they brew their own ales on site. The food is a step above standard pub fare. The perfect end to a Loughrigg Fell walk.

The Old Dungeon Ghyll, Langdale is the pub that defines the Lake District. A proper walkers’ pub at the head of the Langdale Valley, with flagstone floors, a fire, and dogs welcome without question. The Hikers Bar is the one you want: no frills, muddy boots, and pints of local ale after a day on the fells.

The Dog & Gun, Keswick is right in the centre of Keswick and one of the most genuinely dog-friendly pubs in the Lakes. Water bowls and biscuits are standard, and the homemade Hungarian Goulash is the stuff of local legend. The obvious stop after Walla Crag, Catbells, or a lap of Derwentwater.

Chesters by the River, Skelwith Bridge is a dog-friendly cafe right on the river between Ambleside and Coniston. Brilliant cake, good coffee, and riverside tables where you can watch the water while your dog dries off. The natural stop on the Elterwater and Skelwith Force walk.

Fellpack, Keswick is a modern dog-friendly cafe with a focus on trail-ready food and good coffee. Think hearty sandwiches, soups, and treats to fuel a walk rather than finish one. Dogs welcome inside. A useful early-morning stop before heading out to the fells.

The Kirkstile Inn, Loweswater — Tucked into a remote valley between Loweswater and Crummock Water, the Kirkstile is worth seeking out. They brew their own beer (Melbreak Bitter, Grasmoor Dark Ale), the food is proper Cumbrian pub cooking, and dogs are welcome by the fire — but note they’re only allowed inside until 5.30pm, so this is a lunchtime stop rather than an evening one. The drive there is half the experience — narrow lanes through some of the quietest countryside in the Lakes. Pair with the Buttermere circuit for a day that feels like a proper escape.

Dog Friendly Days Out in the Lake District

Boat trips, castles, forests and heritage railways

Beyond the walks, the Lake District has boat trips, castles, forests and railways that welcome dogs. Some are fully dog-friendly, others have outdoor-only access. We’ve been honest about restrictions so you’re not disappointed when you arrive.

Windermere Lake Cruises is one of those Lake District experiences everyone should do at least once, and dogs are very welcome. They travel free on all scheduled cruises. Keep them on a lead and off the seats, and you’re set. Cruises run from Ambleside, Bowness and Lakeside, covering the full length of England’s longest lake. You can combine it with the Haverthwaite Railway for a proper day out. No booking needed for your dog, just turn up.

Ullswater Steamers are heritage vessels sailing eight miles across Ullswater, connecting Glenridding to Pooley Bridge with stops at Howtown and Aira Force along the way. Dogs are welcome on all sailings for a small charge, on lead and off the seats. The classic day out: catch the steamer to Howtown, walk back along the lakeshore to Glenridding.

Coniston Gondola is a beautifully restored Victorian steam yacht on Coniston Water, run by the National Trust. Dogs travel free. Mountain cruises and full lake circuits available. There’s something deeply special about chugging across Coniston with the fells reflected in the water and your dog’s ears flapping in the breeze.

Muncaster Castle, Ravenglass is a Grade I listed castle with 70 acres of woodland gardens overlooking the Esk Valley. Dogs on leads are welcome in the gardens and grounds, but not inside the castle itself. They can watch the 2pm Sky Hunters bird of prey display from a dedicated doggy viewing area, though not the 11:30am owl display in the enclosed Hawk and Owl Centre.

Haverthwaite Railway is a scenic 3.2-mile heritage railway from Haverthwaite to Lakeside on the southern tip of Windermere. Dogs travel free. Combined tickets with Windermere Lake Cruises make this an easy full-day loop: train to Lakeside, boat to Bowness or Ambleside, walk or bus back.

Grizedale Forest offers 10 miles of trails and the UK’s largest outdoor sculpture collection, with dogs off-lead on the forest paths. Go Ape is on site too, though dogs can’t join you on the treetop courses. A different pace from the fells: quieter, greener, full of surprises.