Luxury Dog Friendly Holidays exploring the Lake District
Searching for your next luxury holiday destination to explore with your dog? Look no further than the Lake District, Cumbria.
Dog Friendly Holidays in the Lake District
Discover our top picks for luxury dog-friendly cottages in the Lake District that both you and your dog will love. From cosy countryside cottages to scenic retreats in the heart of this breathtaking region, explore the very best of the Lake District with your four-legged friend by your side.
Discover our most-loved luxury dog-friendly Lake District escapes below.
Bentley's Guide to Luxury Dog Friendly Holiday's in the Lake District
Strolling through the Cumbria fells and beaches promises an epic adventure for both you and your four legged friend. Explore hidden treasures in Beatrix Potter’s wonderland, conquer mountains with pub panoramas, or paddle across Windermere – this isn’t your average staycation, it’s a doggy dream come true!
You’ll find a variety of luxury dog friendly cottages and hotels in the Lake District, dog approved day trips, pubs and restaurants and so much more to explore. Some may say too much choice, but don’t fear: we’ve combined the best luxury accommodation and activities in Bentley the Dachshund’s guide to dog friendly stays in the Lake District, to make your holiday search as seamless as possible.
Don’t worry about ruff manners, paw-rents! Bentley’s got your back (and collar) with his handy Doggo Etiquette Guide. Be a countryside hero – keep those pawprints responsible, respect farm friends and wildlife, and share the love with fellow adventurers. It’s all about wagging tails, not tangled leashes, in Cumbria!
Cumbria’s calling with epic sniff friendly adventures and posh pup pads – miss a trip to the Lake District, and miss the opportunity to unleash your inner explorer with Bentley’s guide to dog friendly holidays in the Lake District. It’s a doggy dreamland, not barking mad!
Five reasons why Cumbria would make a great dog friendly holiday destination for your next staycation
Cumbria’s pawsibilities are endless, all year round! Whether sniffing autumn leaves or chasing spring squirrels, your pup’s in for a schnoz wonderland. Here’s five reasons why Cumbria’s top dog for dog-friendly holidays.
1. Accessible for all
In the Lake District, Cumbria, the great outdoors can be accessed by all. Check out Miles Without Stiles: A collection of trails with stiles – perfect for wheelchairs, strollers, and relaxed pups. Unleash the adventure, in Cumbria everyone’s welcome!
2. Discover secret adventures and Beatrix Potter's garden
Unravel hidden pathways and sniff out secret gnomes in the enchanting Lingholm Estate, Beatrix Potter’s former home, now a wonderland of walled gardens and whimsical sculptures. Dogs are welcome on the lead in the garden. Guide dogs also have extended access to the house.
3. Did someone say pub?
Curl up by crackling fires, soak in the friendly chatter, and share a sneaky scratch behind the ears with your pooch. (Psst, don’t tell Bentley, but a juicy sausage might just find its way onto your pup’s plate). It’s all about belly rubs and tail-wagging camaraderie in dog friendly Lake District pubs.
Here are a few of our favourite dog friendly pubs:
Masons Arms
Snuggle up by crackling fires, watch Scout Scar paint the sky with sunset hues. Masons Arms, a country inn nestled in blissful countryside, welcomes you and your furry friend with open paws. Mouthwatering meals and endless adventures await, where wagging tails become the soundtrack to unforgettable moments.
Strawberry Bank, Cartmel Fell.
Pentonbridge Inn
Cross the border, uncork a smile. Pentonbridge Inn, nestled on the English-Scottish seam, offers Michelin-starred feasts (April 2023!) and cosy canine companionship. Whether you crave culinary artistry or a friendly tipple, this relaxed haven welcomes you and your furry friend with open paws.
Penton, Carlisle, CA6 5QB.
Plato’s
Bark and cheers at Plato’s, Kirkby Lonsdale’s vibrant hub.
This friendly wine bar, open daily from 11AM, welcomes wagging tails and weary paws alongside humans yearning for award-winning food, cocktails, and top-notch vino. Snuggle into a beautiful room and let the sociable spirit wash over you. It’s pawsome times, guaranteed!
2 Mill Brow, Kirkby Lonsdale, LA6 2AT.
The Ratty Arms, Ravenglass
Nestled on the Cumbrian Coastline, this historic pub by the Ravenglass & Eskdale Steam Railway is a pawsome pitstop. Wagging tails mingle with clinking glasses as you explore a delicious menu – hot meals, cool treats, and woof-worthy desserts. Dogs rule in all public areas, making it the perfect place to share a pint and a grin.
Croftlands Drive, Ravenglass, CA18 1SN.
The Wheatsheaf Inn
Brigsteer’s charm and Kendal’s whispers converge around a historic inn, crowned by Lyth Valley’s panoramic magic. Wagging tails join the chorus of clinking glasses and laughter, drawn to delicious feasts and a warm welcome. Unwind by crackling fires, sip refreshing drinks, and let the rustic spirit embrace you. This is a haven for hearts, hooves, and happy hounds.
Brigsteer Brow, Brigsteer, Kendal, LA8 8AN.
4. Embrace the windswept wilderness
Imagine salty sea air ruffling your fur as you zoom along endless sands, ears flapping in the wind. Seashells to hoard, waves to chase, and maybe even a dip in the cool shallows – the Lake District’s got beaches that bark with joy for pups of all stripes. So grab your leash, prepare for muddy paws and slobbery grins, and unleash the inner beach bum!
5. Catch some zzz’s
From lakeside lodges to cosy cottages, Cumbria’s got your pup’s perfect pad covered. Hotels with dog-friendly breakfasts, B&Bs with backyard adventures, and campsites under starry skies – choose your pawsome luxury dog friendly escape! Some even have fluffy towels and squeaky toys waiting for your furry friend. Now that’s a woof-derful way to holiday!
Dog etiquette when visiting the Lake District, Cumbria
Be respectful of wildlife
Livestock need peace and space. Letting your pup bother them is a no-no (and against the law!). Keep your lead handy, give farm friends a wide berth, and let them graze peacefully.
Protect your pooch against animal and insect bites
Tall grasses are nature’s secret hideout for crawlies, critters, and sometimes slithery surprises. Keep a watchful eye as your pup explores, especially in warmer months. If you suspect an adder bite (unlikely, but good to know!), stay calm, keep your furry friend quiet, and seek immediate veterinary care. Remember, prevention is pawsome – stick to well-trodden paths and enjoy the scenery.
Protect Cumbria’s beautiful wildlife
Wild wonders need space, pups need leads! Keep wildlife stress-free (and your fur-friend safe) by staying leashed.
Watch for signs restricting access – those markings are there for a reason! Let’s sniff responsibly and share the schnoz love.
Pick up after your pooch
Pack plenty of biodegradable bags (we love them green!), and keep your eyes peeled for those pawsome “Poop Bins” – they’re everywhere you need them. Let’s leave Cumbria spotless and wagging its tail for more pawfect adventures!
Respect everyone’s adventures
Wagging tails welcome everyone! To share the schnoz love, keep your pup close by when greeting walkers, cyclists, and horse riders. A friendly sniff is awesome, but gives space to avoid spooks and stumbles. Keep the trails happy for all paws and wheels!
Dog Friendly Day Trips in the Lake District, Cumbria
Allan Bank
Where Wordsworth dreamt, art thrives. Allan Bank, a villa steeped in history, invites you to explore. Inside, intimate galleries and bold murals ignite the imagination. Outside, 19th-century gardens unveil lake & mountain grandeur. Dogs chase squirrels, humans chase sunsets – all under the same welcoming sky.
Grasmere, Ambleside, LA22 9QB.
Lingholm Estate
Sniff out enchantment at Lingholm Gardens! Beatrix Potter, pup-lover extraordinaire, found endless inspiration here. In fact, Mr. McGregor’s veggie patch in “Peter Rabbit” was inspired by Lingholm’s very own walled kitchen! Now, you and your furry friend can explore this octagonal haven, its aroma of home-cooked meals (many estate-grown!) swirling in the air. Soak in the Derwent Water views, a 40-minute walk from dog-friendly Keswick, then sniff out Catbells’s secrets together. Unleash the adventure (and your appetite)!
The Lingholm Estate, Portinscale, Keswick, CA12 5TZ
Claife Viewing Station and Windermere West Shore, National Trust
Adventure awaits, pawprints at the ready! Climb the viewing platform, where coloured glass frames Windermere’s watercolour majesty. Dive into wooded trails or saunter along the scenic lakeshore to Wray Castle, your furry shadow beside you. The Claife Cafe welcomes weary wanderers with pup-pleasing treats and well-deserved human rehydration. Let the exploration begin!
Far Sawrey, Hawkshead.
Fell Foot Park on Windermere, National Trust
Wagging tails meet whispering waves on Windermere’s grand shore. This pawsome haven offers endless adventures: chase frisbees in the parkland, splash in shallows by the beach, or sniff out secrets in the South Meadow. Pack a picnic or reward yourselves at the Boathouse Cafe, where furry smiles are always on the menu. Unwind, explore, and let the lake whisper memories into your hearts.
Newby Bridge, Windermere, LA12 8NN.
Grizedale Forest
Let your inner explorer loose in Grizedale, only 30 minutes from Bowness-on-Windermere. Imagine your pup’s ears perked at the rustle of leaves, nose tickling hidden artworks scattered through the forest.
Unleash the leash on waymarked trails, then reward yourselves with pup-approved delights and human smiles at the dog-friendly exhibition space and cafe. Grizedale: art, nature, and adventure, all paws welcome!
Grizedale Forest, Hawkshead, Nr Ambleside, LA22 0QJ
Whinlatter Forest
Unleash the inner explorer in England’s wild heart! Whinlatter Forest, with its mountain majesty and endless pawsibilities, welcomes adventurers of all shapes and sizes (two legs and four!). Hike hidden trails, conquer peaks on your trusty steed, or stroll through whispering woodlands – peace or thrills, the choice is yours. Refuel at the dog-friendly cafe, explore the visitor centre, and sniff out treasures in the shop. Don’t miss the “Wow Trail” – tail-wagging guaranteed!
Whinlatter Forest, Braithwaite, Keswick, CA12 5TW
Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway
Puff the clouds away on seven miles of steam-powered magic! Lakeland landscapes unfurl as your narrow-gauge chariot chugs by, your furry copilot by your side (dog friendly except in premium carriages). Explore a treasure trove of sights – museums filled with train whispers, cafes brimming with smiles, pubs buzzing with tales, and shops bursting with souvenirs. Local walks beckon adventurous paws. All aboard in March, and off we go until November! Check the website for timetables and pawsome details!
Ravenglass Station, Ravenglass, CA18 1SW
Whinlatter Forest, Braithwaite, Keswick, CA12 5TW
Ullswater ‘Steamers’
Whiskers twitch, tails wag – Ullswater awaits! Cruise beneath sun-kissed peaks, your canine companion by your side (dog friendly but a small price applies for your companion). The heritage vessels weave through the heart of Lakeland, connecting you with legendary walking routes. Onboard, find comfy cabins, a welcoming bar, and light bites for adventurers big and small. Pier houses offer free Wi-Fi and refreshments – a perfect pitstop for tired paws. Check the website for timetables and prepare for a lake adventure that’s woof-derful!
Glenridding Pier House, Glenridding, CA11 0US
Pooley Bridge Pier House, Pooley Bridge, CA10 2NN
Wray Castle, National Trust
Lakeshore walks await at Wray Castle or wind your way through the woodlands to discover the Gothic Revival boathouse, where you can catch a boat to Ambleside or Brockhole, or explore further before refuelling in the cafe; doggy ice cream and treats are also available!
Low Wray, Ambleside, LA22 0JA
Ready to Start Your Lake District Adventure?
Let Poochouse be your guide to an unforgettable dog-friendly holiday in the Lake District. Get in touch today for a personalised destination list, or browse our expert tips and resources.
Remember, at Poochouse, every tail wag tells a story. Let’s create yours together.