Dog Friendly Places in the South Lake District

The Lake District is a wonderful place to bring your dog. There are a huge number of places to visit and things to see and do with your dog. We have four dog -friendly holiday lodges in Troutbeck near Windermere and we are often asked for dog friendly information by our guests. This article is intended to provide some useful information for visitors to the South Lakes. As things can change we do suggest that you check before making a special visit to any of these places.

The steamers on the Windermere, Coniston and Ullswater all allow dogs, and all dogs travel free on any sailings operated by Windermere Lakes Cruises. Dogs are allowed on board the boats of the Coniston Launches. They are allowed inside the cabins, but not on the seats, at a charge of 50 pence (free to working guide dogs). The founders of Coniston Launch owned Flatcoated Retrievers Saga, Folly and Epic and, to mark the enjoyment these dogs provided, all Flatcoated Retrievers still travel FREE of charge!

Some boat hire companies including Shepherds of Windermere let you take dogs on board. If steam railways are your things then the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway and the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway both allow dogs too.

If you enjoy visiting country houses Muncaster castle allows dogs in the grounds but not in the house Hutton in the Forest allows dogs on leads in the gardens, grounds and woodland walks. At Sizergh Castle dogs on leads are welcome around the estate, but not the gardens. Brantwood, the former home of John Ruskin, allows dogs to be taken around Brantwood garden, but they are not allowed in the house. Grizedale Forest Parks and Visitor centre allows dogs in the Forest Park and Lake District National Park visitor centre at Brockhole on Windermere makes dogs welcome if they are kept on a lead at all times.

All Open Space National Trust properties are dog friendly, and many of those have tea rooms/cafes where dogs are also welcome, although in some cases this may be outside. Don't forget to bring your National Trust membership card as this may entitle you to free parking and / or free entry. National Trust properties in Cumbria include:

Ullswater and Aira Force Windermere and Ambleside Coniston and Tarn Hows Grasmere Borrowdale Great Langdale Little Langdale Arnside and Silverdale Sandscale Haws

One of the great joys of walking in the Lake District with your dog is ending up at a good dog-friendly pub at the end of the walk. Both of our local pubs, The Mortal Man and The Queen's Head, let dogs inside. Both are normally thoughtful enough to provide a bowl of water outside so you don't feel too bad about satisfying your own thirst at the bar! The Haybarn on-site pub at Limefitt accepts dogs too.

Here are some other local pubs which accept dogs

The Watermill, Ings Village, Nr Windermere, Wainwrights Inn, Chapel Stile, Great Langdale, Ambleside Stickle Barn Tavern, Great Langdale, Ambleside Britannia Inn, Ambleside, Cumbria Outgate Inn, Outgate, Ambleside, Cumbria Drunken Duck Inn, Barn Gates, Hawkshead, Ambleside, Cumbria The Punchbowl Inn, Crosthwaite, Kendal, Cumbria

Of course it's not all about walking and pubs - Sometimes a bit of retail therapy is in order. You have to buy those treats somewhere after all.

Our favourite pet shop in the Lakes - Paws by the Lake, is at Waterhead, Ambleside. It combines both a pet shop and gift shop for pet lovers. There is a well stocked pet shop in Windermere - Lakeland Pet Supplies at 28 Main Rd, Windermere, LA23 1DY, (015394 44458). Booths Supermarket in Windermere stocks a variety of canine accessories. There is also a huge Pets at Home in the South Lakeland Retail Park in Kendal.

If you are looking for somewhere to stay to make the most of all of these dog friendly activities we have four self-catering dog-friendly holiday lodges in the Lake District for you to choose from. They are situated in Limefitt Park in Troutbeck, which is a beautiful village just a short distance from Windermere.

Dog Friendly Pubs in the Lake District

Cumbria is a great place for dogs. Wherever you go, you see visitors and pooches touring the Lake District. Whether it's racing up the fell, tugging the lead through town, running for the lake - always carrying an unfeasibly large stick - or sitting nobly waiting for leftover sandwiches, this is dog country. Holiday cottages in the lake district are now more often than not pet friendly also.

Locals love dogs, too. I can guarantee you'll see several sheepdogs leaning fearlessly into turns on the back of a tractor or quad bike, possibly whilst keeping one paw on a sick lamb. Every farmer has an invisible lead attached to a faithful hound or two, following him everywhere.

A vast amount of Self Catering Lake District Holiday Cottages are pet friendly. If you want to take them out to the pub, too, there are plenty of places to welcome you. Many of which are within walking distance of these cottages

The Boot Inn in Eskdale is a great pub in lots of respects - friendly company, great food, real ale and a proper dog-friendly policy. This oak-beamed, traditional pub has a bar, conservatory and snug with board games, TV, darts and pool. The Boot Beer Festival is held in June. Take the pooch!

The Woolpack Inn in Eskdale is happy to accept dogs on a lead in the bar. The Woolpack is home to the Hardknott Brewery, so a selection of real ales is guaranteed.

The Wasdale Head Inn, in Wasdale, welcomes well-behaved dogs in Ritson's bar. In a county full of great views, the Wasdale Head Inn still has something to shout about, with a wonderfully remote location at the foot of the Scafell range. It's cosily decorated, with oak settles and a warming fire. It serves real ales and wholesome bar food.

The Screes Inn in Nether Wasdale is happy to accept dogs. Their real ales and wide selection of whiskies are best enjoyed sitting by their roaring fire, after a long day's walking.

The Strands Hotel in Nether Wasdale is another Lake Distict pub with a fine microbrewery. A great place to spend the evening after a long walk, the Strands has those real ales, a cosy open fire and a games room with darts, a pool table and table football. They hold a Beer Festival in May.

The Gosforth Hall Inn in Gosforth is a fabulous, seventeenth-century, Grade 2* (ie. better than normal grade 2) listed building, full of original feaures including an inglenook fireplace, a stone spiral staircase and a concealed priest's hole. Serves real ale from the Lake District's Hawkshead Brewery and a wide selection of home-made pies. Dogs are welcome in the bar and lounge.

The Black Cock Inn in Broughton-in-Furness is run by dog-owners who are happy to welcome visiting dogs. This is a traditional Lake District pub, with an honest, hearty menu. An excellent choice after a day's touristing.

The Blacksmith's Arms in Broughton Mills, near Broughton-in-Furness is an attractive doggy pub. Built as a farmhouse in 1577, it has atmospheric panelling, slate floors and oak beams. Serves the Lake Districts own Jennings' and guest beers from local microbreweries.

The Newfield Inn is a dog-friendly pub in Seathwaite in the Duddon Valley. It has a large garden and fabulous views. The Newfield serves traditional local food, with tasty seasonal specials.

The Shepherd's Arms in Ennerdale Bridge is a familiar, traditional Lakes former coaching house with white-washed walls and big sash windows. It's located on the main junction for passers-by - although, nowadays, those passers-by are likely to be walkers on the coast-to-coast walk. The Shepherd's is dog-friendly and has real ales and hearty, home-cooked food.

The Wheatsheaf Inn in Low Lorton welcomes dogs on leads in the bar. It's a seventeenth-century building, with an open fire, book-lined walls and an enclosed beer garden, serving Jennings' and a selection of guest beers. The views here are second to none, looking out on to Whinlatter, Hobcarton, Hopegillhead, Whiteside and Grassmoor.

The Kirkstile Inn is the pub of choice for lunch in Loweswater for both two-legged and four-legged visitors (dogs are not allowed in the bar between 6pm and 10pm). CAMRA's pub of the year is dog-friendly, serves great beer, fab food and a great welcome in a traditional Lake District setting.

The Middle Ruddings Inn at Braithwaite, near Keswick, is a rambling Edwardian building with a lovely garden and open views to the Skiddaw range. They welcome dogs in the bar, where you can choose from their selection of very hearty meals.

The Sun Inn in Bassenthwaite is just the sort of place to collapse in after a long walk with the dog. It has a great ambience and delicious food. There's a scenic beer garden, with doggy bowls topped up with fresh water.

The Dog and Gun in Keswick is well-known amongst locals and visitors alike for welcoming dogs, and you can be sure there will be several there at any time of day. It's a very attractive pub, with log fires, slate floors and low ceilings, serving unpretentious, filling grub.

The Scafell Hotel in Rosthwaite, Borrowdale is fantastically located near the foot of Great Gable, in the centre of the valley. Just right for a pint and a bite in the middle of a day's walking. Dogs are very welcome here.

The Tithe Barn in Cockermouth welcomes dogs. It's a Jennings' pub - not surprisingly, given the brewery is located in Cockermouth - and it serves home-cooked food in its bar and restaurant.

Needless to say, this list isn't exhaustive! Sometimes pubs change their dog-friendly policies, especially if they change hands, so if it's critical to your enjoyment, please contact the pub to make sure before you go. If you would like to find pet friendly self catering lake district cottages please follow the link in the resource box.