12 places to stay · Lake District
Dog-friendly cottages in the Lake District
Dog-friendly cottages, barns and inns in the Lake District, from Keswick and Borrowdale to Ambleside, Grasmere, Langdale, Hawkshead, Windermere and Ullswater, with what to check before you book.
Photo: Brian Gillman (cropped), CC BY 3.0
The Lake District is one of the easiest places in Britain to take a dog on holiday: fell walks from the door, lakeshore paths, and plenty of places that are used to wet, muddy dogs coming in at the end of the day.
This guide gathers dog-friendly places to stay by area. Some are individual cottages or inns with clear dog rules; others are letting agencies with a large choice of dog-friendly cottages in that village. Sheep graze most of the fells, so keep dogs on a lead near livestock, and read each listing's dog rules before you book.
What to check before you book
- How many dogs? Many places take one or two; agencies set rules per cottage, so check each listing.
- Is there a pet fee? Charges are usually per dog, per night or per stay.
- Which rooms? Hotels and inns often keep dogs to set bedrooms and out of the main restaurant.
- Is the garden fully enclosed? "Garden" doesn't always mean dog-proof; ask if your dog is an escape artist.
- Is there somewhere to dry off? A porch, boot room or hard floors help after a wet day on the fells.
Keswick, Borrowdale and Derwentwater
The northern lakes, with Catbells, Derwentwater and the Newlands Valley close by.
- Dogs welcome
Balmoral Apartment
A one-bedroom apartment for two in the centre of Keswick, with parking for one car; the operator says all its cottages are pet friendly.
Operator says all its cottages are pet friendly
- Dogs in some areas
The Borrowdale Hotel
A country hotel at the southern end of Derwentwater with dog-friendly bedrooms; dog beds and bowls are provided, and dogs can join you in the bar and lounges.
Dogs allowed in selected bedrooms, the bar, lounges and conservatory, but not the restaurant.
- Selected properties
Sally's Cottages
A Lake District agency with around 175 dog-friendly cottages in and around Keswick, many with enclosed gardens.
Filter for dog-friendly; check dog numbers per listing.
More in Keswick, Borrowdale
Ambleside, Grasmere and Langdale
The central fells, with Loughrigg, Grasmere and the Langdale Pikes on the doorstep.
- Dogs welcome
Skelwith Bridge Hotel
A hotel at Skelwith Bridge, just west of Ambleside, with log fires in winter in its Talbot Bar, where dogs are allowed throughout; there is a dog menu too.
Dogs accommodated; allowed throughout the Talbot Bar
- Dogs in some areas
Eltermere Inn
A twelve-room inn at Elterwater, at the entrance to Great Langdale, with three rooms set aside for guests with dogs and dogs allowed in the bar.
Three dog-friendly rooms; dogs allowed in the bar but not the dining room. Per-dog fee.
- Dogs in some areas
The Daffodil Hotel & Spa
A hotel on the shore of Grasmere, a short walk from the village, with a limited number of dog-friendly rooms for up to two dogs.
Limited dog-friendly rooms, up to two dogs, extra charge
- Selected properties
Canine Cottages
A cottage specialist that only lists dog-friendly properties, with over a hundred in and around Grasmere.
Every listing accepts dogs; check the number allowed per cottage.
Hawkshead, Coniston and Windermere
The gentler southern lakes, with Tarn Hows, Coniston Water and the Troutbeck valley.
- Dogs welcome
Old Barn, Hawkshead
A 17th-century barn conversion at Outgate near Hawkshead, sleeping four, with an enclosed garden, a wood burner and a porch for drying muddy dogs. Up to two dogs.
Up to two dogs accepted.
- Selected properties
Canine Cottages
Only dog-friendly properties, with around a hundred in the Troutbeck valley above Windermere.
Every listing accepts dogs; check the number allowed per cottage.
- Selected properties
Sally's Cottages
A large range of dog-friendly barns, cottages and lodges around Coniston.
Filter for dog-friendly; check dog numbers per listing.
More in Hawkshead, Windermere, Coniston
Ullswater
The quieter north-east, with lakeshore walks and Helvellyn above Glenridding.
- Dogs in some areas
Inn on the Lake
A large hotel on the Ullswater shore with some pet-friendly rooms for an extra charge; the Orangery restaurant is a dog-friendly dining area.
Pets allowed in some rooms for an extra charge.
- Selected properties
Sally's Cottages
Dog-friendly cottages in Glenridding, on Ullswater and surrounded by fells.
Filter for dog-friendly; check dog numbers per listing.
More in Glenridding
See every dog-friendly pub, cottage and walk in our guide to the dog-friendly Lake District.
The weekend walk
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