The Best Dog-Friendly Hotels In The Lake District

BEST LOCATION

• Situated: Windermere
• Price Range: £136 – £219
• Room Features: Private Balcony, Housekeeping, Room Service, Flatscreen TV, Tea & Coffee Facilities, Smoking Rooms Available
• Amenities: Free Car Parking, Free Breakfast, Free WiFi, Non-Smoking Hotel

Windermere was described as “the loveliest square mile in Lakeland” by Alfred Wainwright MBE, and it is the prime place to visit for anyone who wants to see the Lakes as it is in the heart of the district.

This hotel is adult-only, for anyone who wants to relax with their four-legged friend. There are 3 dog-friendly rooms out of the 22 in total, situated on the ground floor opening onto the garden, with a charge of £7 per dog per night.

It is the only 5 gold star guest accommodation with an on-site bar and restaurant with AA restaurant award in Windermere. Because the pet rooms are garden suites, your dog can still have some fresh air and a bit of playtime away from the room without you having to go out of your way.

BEST LUXURY

• Situated: Windermere
• Price Range: £109 – £319
• Room Features: Room Service, Flatscreen TV, Telephone, Air Conditioning
• Amenities: Free Car Parking, Free Breakfast, Free WiFi, Two Restaurants

This is one of Windermere’s newest spa hotels, located on the shoreline of the Lake with spectacular views.

The spa has been a recent addition, situated at the front of the resort to benefit from these views. You get a thermal journey, infinity pool and range of treatments, and there is even a Watersports centre which offers instruction water-skiing, canoeing and paddle-boarding for the more adventurous folk.

But enough about you – first up, there are great walks right from the front door. Grasmere and Coniston are within 30 minutes, plus there’s a bus-stop outside. The hotel also has its own pier with a waterbus on the lake.

Dogs are an extra £20 per night, and there is a large private grassy terrace where they can have a little bit of a relax outside before you’re on your way again. There are 131 rooms in total so it is quite a large hotel; make sure your dog will be okay with being around a lot of strangers.

• Situated: Troutbeck
• Price Range: £108 – £162
• Room Features: Bathrobes, Housekeeping, Flatscreen TV
• Amenities: Free Car Parking, Free Breakfast, Free WiFi, Dining Facilities, Outdoor Furniture

Want somewhere which is *completely* dog-friendly? As in, everyone has to expect to see pooches, and they are treated just as well as you will be?

This hotel is situated in a lesser well-known part of the Lakes, but this makes it ideal for anyone wanting a fully rural location. It is 4 miles from Ambleside and Windermere and nestled on the side of the fells which overlook the Troutbeck Valley, so ticks the box for views.

10 newly-refurbished en-suite guest bedrooms give you the perfect base, and there are emergency supplies for everything a two-legged guest might forget for their pup: leads, baskets, blankets, and even doggy shampoo.

Dogs are allowed in all rooms except Great End & Great Gable, and they charge £10 per night for your dog which is reasonable. They do only allow one per room, however, but you can bring them with you for dinner if you eat in the bar area.

• Situated: Bassenthwaite, Keswick
• Price Range: £85 – £125
• Room Features: Housekeeping, Flatscreen TV
• Amenities: Free Car Parking, Free Internet, Bar/Lounge, Baggage Storage

There are 20 en-suite rooms available in this hotel, and it is one of the most dog-friendly in the Lake District.

They are fully dog-friendly, with pets allowed in any of the public rooms and in most bedrooms, so expect to see other furry guests during your stay. There is a £10 per night charge, and you just have to let them know you’re bringing your four-legged friend.

It is situated in 3 hectares of grounds so they (and you) have plenty of space to roam around when you’re not exploring the Lakes, and there is a breakfast buffet as well as an on-site restaurant if you want somewhere easy to eat.

• Situated: Glenridding
• Price Range: £149 – £289
• Room Features: Private Balcony, Room Service, Flatscreen TV, Fireplace
• Amenities: Free Car Parking, Taxi Service, Free WiFi, Dining Facilities, Mini Golf

Want somewhere with the perfect balance of accessibility to amenities, yet space to get away from it all too?

This hotel is situated in 15 acres of grounds with lawns sweeping to the shores of Lake Ullswater – plenty of space for your dog to run about and tire themselves out. They are welcome in most parts of the hotel, which is great for a 4* establishment of a high standard.

Many reviewers even go as far as saying it is the best pet-friendly establishment they have stayed at in the Lakes, and there are plenty of extras for them such as dog towels and beds for anyone who has travelled light.

There are 76 bedrooms in total, so it is a good balance of busy yet peaceful, and the award-winning 2 AA Rosette Lake View Restaurant or less formal Ramblers Bar & Candleroom are in the grounds (although dogs aren’t allowed here).

Pets are £10 per night and subject to a prior arrangement; no more than 2 per room, and they can’t be left unattended in case of barking. They also have to be on a lead when on the grounds.

• Situated: Windermere
• Price Range: £97 – £163
• Room Features: Housekeeping, Flatscreen TV, Room Service
• Amenities: Free Breakfast, Free WiFi, Breakfast Available, Dining Facilities

This hotel is in its own secluded, twenty-acre estate of beautiful landscaped gardens and woodland, with stunning views overlooking Lake Windermere, so you don’t even need to leave the site during your stay for some peace and quiet.

It has an informal, friendly feel, and dogs are allowed pretty much everywhere except the dining room. They do have a separate area where you can dine with your pooch, however, in case they can’t be left alone.

Dogs are welcomed by staff, and you are in a perfectly regular room so it doesn’t feel like you are missing out just because your pooch is with you. There is a charge of £20, and 23 rooms in total.

As a bonus, the rooms are very spacious so there is plenty of space for their bed, bowls and a nice biiiig morning stretch!

• Situated: Grange-In-Borrowdale
• Price Range: £131 – £215
• Room Features: Room Service, Flatscreen TV, Bath/Shower
• Amenities: Free Car Parking, Free Breakfast, Free WiFi, Dry Cleaning

Close to the shores of Derwent Water in two acres of woodland, this hotel is situated in Grange near Keswick, so is perfect if you want easy access to one of the most popular parts of the Lake District yet also want to stay out of the way.

It is a great place if you want to explore the Lakes, with plenty of walking routes on your doorstep. There are 25 rooms, and the dog-friendly ones have direct access to a garden. They aren’t allowed in all parts of the hotel, however, so it is still accessible to everyone.

Dogs are still very welcome, however, with extra touches such as biscuits in the room and the grounds are fenced in so they can’t roam.

BEST BUDGET

• Situated: Cockermouth
• Price Range: £78 – £96
• Room Features: Flatscreen TV, Desk
• Amenities: Car Parking, Free WiFi, Free Breakfast Buffet, Child Friendly

If you want something budget-friendly but want to avoid the chain hotels, this is a perfect pick. Cockermouth is a popular part of the Lakes but a bit quieter than other hotspots, and if you’re bringing the entire family, you will be pleased to know that Allerdale is just as child-friendly as it is pet-friendly.

It’s located close to all the local attractions, such as Cockermouth Castle (0.1 mi), St Michael’s Church-Isel Church (0.3 mi), Wordsworth House and Garden (0.3 mi), Harris Park (0.4 mi), and Isel Hall (0.3 mi) – all within walking distance.

There are also bus services to Workington, Keswick and Penrith, and a lot of the local pubs and destinations are also dog friendly. Ground floor rooms are available for dogs, which gives them easy access to garden space, and there is a special dining room for dog owners too.

For the price, it is pretty great!

• Situated: Keswick
• Price Range: £80 – £110
• Room Features: Housekeeping, Flatscreen TV, Bicycle Rental
• Amenities: Free Car Parking, Free Breakfast, Free WiFi, Child Friendly

Perfect for furry and non-furry members of the family, pets are allowed and there are children’s television networks as well as highchairs available at Laurel Bank.

It is a “Visit England” 4 star Silver Award-winning, charming family-run bed and breakfast situated one mile from Keswick town centre. There are loads of other nice touches too, such as bicycle rental and allergy-free rooms.

Because it is a B&B, there are only 5 rooms, so it is ideal if you want something a bit more intimate and catered to your needs. There is an off-road route available to the centre of Keswick which is brilliant for the bikes, buggies and dogs, and the owners are very knowledgeable about the walking routes in the area.

All but one room is for dogs and they are large enough to accommodate everything you’d need, and there are plenty of dog-friendly walks in close proximity.

• Situated: Penrith
• Price Range: £73 – £79
• Room Features: Non-Smoking, Family Rooms
• Amenities: Car Parking, Breakfast, WiFi, Dining Facilities, Guest Kitchen

With 8 rooms, and at a great price, Barton Hall is highly rated by past guests for good reason.

It is situated in 3.5 acres of secluded grounds including a croquet lawn and ample playing area for children, which will give you something to fill the time and allow your dog to have plenty of space to run around.

We love how residents have use of a guest kitchen for preparing sandwiches for picnics and other simple meals, which is perfect if you’re either on a budget or not looking to venture too far after an exhausting day of walking.

Bedrooms are spacious, so you can fit in everything both you and your pooch need. There are also rooms for every budget, and the decor is charming.

Penrith is near Ullswater, nearer the northeast side of the Lakes, so a bit far out from Windermere but still a lovely stay nonetheless.