The best dog-friendly things to do in the Lake District

The Lake District is one of the UK's most popular destinations and the place to go for some of the most scenic dog-friendly walkies in the country.

Tranquil lakes including the enchanting Windermere, Ullswater and Bassenthwaite are surrounded by glorious countryside and mountains, making this wonderful dog-friendly area the ideal location for taking your hounds on holiday.

While the lakes and hills make wonderful days out, there is more to the Lake District than just walking. So, we've put together a guide of the best things to do with your dogs while there including fun attractions, pet-friendly pubs and restaurants, and welcoming dog-friendly cottages where you can wind down together at the end of the day.

Jump to:

• Dog-friendly attractions
• Dog-friendly Lake District towns
• Dog-friendly walks
• Dog-friendly pubs
• Dog-friendly places to eat
• Map of dog-friendly things to do in the Lake District

Dog-friendly attractions

The Lake District is packed with places that will welcome your canine, from stately homes with gardens and grounds to roam, to fun vintage railways and pleasure boats where you can look out across scenic Lakeland fells from the water. Take a look at some of the best dog-friendly Lake District attractions to visit with your dog.

Ravenglass & Eskdale Steam Railway

Jump aboard this charming vintage steam locomotive in Ravenglass and discover the Lakes with the age of steam. Hop on and off for walkies at the seven different stations or stay aboard to drink in 7 miles of spectacular Lakes scenery, right to the foot of England's highest mountains at Dalegarth. The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway welcomes canine foot passengers for a small charge and they are also welcome in some of the buildings, including the gift shop.

Ullswater Steamers

Explore Ullswater from a traditional steamer - the fleet of boats includes the Lady of the Lake, first launched in 1877 and the oldest working passenger vessel in the world. Dogs can climb aboard the Ullswater Steamers for a small additional charge. There are plenty of pretty places to see including Aira Force waterfall, Pooley Bridge and Martindale. You can easily combine a ride on the steamer with a walk along the Ullswater Water before calling in a dog-friendly pub such as The Traveller’s Rest in Glenridding for the ultimate day out with four-legged friends. 

Muncaster Castle Gardens

Four-legged friends are welcome to join you in exploring the garden and grounds of this dog-friendly attraction near Ravenglass, so you can easily combine a visit with a trip on the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway. There are more than 70 woodland acres to explore with a variety of trails to follow and plenty of water bowls available for thirsty dogs to get a drink and a dog-friendly cafe where you can stop for refreshments. It’s worth heading to the dog-friendly viewing area at the World of Owls at Muncaster Castle where you can watch the beautiful birds swooping and soaring.  

Allan Bank

The National Trust's Allan Bank is a handsome Georgian villa and former home of the English poet, William Wordsworth. Standing on high ground to the west of Grasmere village in the heart of the Lake District, you couldn't pick a more wonderful way to spend an afternoon. Pups with a taste for romance will love the gorgeous scenery surrounding the house while adults will love a sit around the roaring fire, cosying up with a good book. The best thing? It is hugely dog-friendly, and unlike many historic properties, welcomes canines inside, even muddy ones!

Dog-friendly Lake District towns

There are plenty of dog-friendly towns and villages in the Lake District where you’ll find pubs, shops and attractions that welcome four-legged friends. There are some of our favourite towns to stay in for a dog-friendly holiday to remember.

Keswick

With nearby peaks like Catbells, dog-friendly boat trips on Derwentwater and lots of things to see and do, Keswick is a top destination for a dog-friendly Lake District getaway. Visit dog-friendly attractions in Keswick such as The Puzzling Place and Mirehouse and Gardens before calling in one of the many pubs that will welcome four-legged friends. There a plenty of walks to try such as following the path around Derwentwater to Surprise View and heading to Hope Park on the edge of town to stroll around pretty gardens and make lots of new four-legged friends.

Windermere 

You really get two dog-friendly towns for the price of one with a visit to Windermere because the town of Bowness-on-Windermere is right next to it with lots of things to do. Both places have easy access to the lake where you can catch a dog-friendly pleasure boat to Ambleside or even try some paddleboarding with your canine companion. There are also lots of dog-friendly eateries around Windermere, from Italian restaurants to tempting tea rooms and craft beer pubs, and dogs can even join you at Windermere Jetty Museum where you can learn about boating history and take part in various creative workshops.

Coniston

Coniston is a little quieter than some of the other Lake District towns so it’s a great choice for nervous pups and there’s plenty of history to uncover as you wander around the town. It’s worth taking a self-guided 2-mile trail around Coniston’s Coppermine Valley to learn more about the mining heritage of the village, and dogs can join you on the National Trust’s Steam Yacht Gondola, a steam-powered craft that dates back to Victorian times. Coniston is a great base for walking too with lots of dog-friendly pubs to relax in with a drink on your return. 

Dog-friendly Lake District walks

A dog’s favourite activity has got to be walkies and there are plenty of glorious Lake District routes where they can pick up sticks, play amongst the trees, make new friends and sniff out an adventure or two. Just make sure you check ahead that it’s suitable for your dog's ability, size, age, and prey drive. Miles Without Stiles routes are great options for smaller and older dogs or ensure you have refreshments on the way with one of our Lake District pub walks.

Dodd Wood

Located on the eastern shore of Lake Bassenthwaite, Dodd Wood has a variety of walking trails to follow and lots of benches where you can stop for a bench and enjoy the view. Unless your dog is well-behaved, we would recommend keeping them on a lead as Dodd Wood is home to an array of wildlife including native red squirrels and ospreys, which have nested here since 2001. The challenging 4-mile Dodd Summit Trail gives views over Derwentwater and the Solway Coast, while the Douglas Fir trail is a mile-long walk through the trees that’s perfect for little legs.

Tarn Hows

Tarn Hows is a dog-friendly National Trust site that's an ideal destination for a dog walk with a variety of trails and plenty of water bowls available so that canine companions can get a well-earned drink. For an easy access walk follow a 2-mile path around the water which is suitable for prams and mobility scooters or for something a bit more challenging try a circular 1.5-mile ramble from Tom Gill Falls to Tarn Hows which involves a steep climb with some rocky scrambles.     

Grizedale Forest

Grizedale Forest is just right for walkies with various off-lead areas where dogs can stretch their legs and a selection of waymarked trails that you can follow for an adventure amongst the trees. We recommend heading to the main visitor centre where you can pick up maps and start the circular 3-mile Carron Crag trail which will take you up to the highest point in the forest or driving to the Bogle Crag car park for a woodland walk that gives views of the Rusland Valley towards Morecambe Bay. There’s also a special Wallace and Gromit dog-focused trail available to purchase for £5 from the visitor centre which includes games, challenges and a gift for your dog.

Dog-friendly pubs

There’s no shortage of dog-friendly pubs in the Lake District where you can sit by the fire during autumn and winter and relax in a beer garden with your pup by your side when the weather allows. What better way to recharge the batteries after a bracing Lake District walk! After a hike to Stock Ghyll Force, head to the Golden Rule in Ambleside where you’ll find various cosy rooms to relax in. 

Tweedie’s Bar in Grasmere gives a warm welcome to four-legged friends and is the place if you are serious about your ale and craft beer, they sell around 16 different varieties including from local breweries such as Lakes Brew Co. The Woolpack Inn has a stunning location at the top of the Eskdale Valley and you and your dog can enjoy wonderful views from its lovely beer garden. There’s a great selection of wines on offer and an extensive food menu includes local delicacies such as Morecambe Bay shrimps.   

Dog-friendly cafes and restaurants

You’ll find lots of great food in the Lake District with regional delicacies including Cumberland sausage and Grasmere gingerbread along with plenty of fresh, local produce that is grown and reared throughout the national park. There are lots of great dog-friendly places to enjoy this delicious food too, from lunch at a charming tearoom to dinner at a restaurant.

The Punch Bowl Inn is a great gastro pub that’s nestled in the heart of the Lyth Valley and serves seasonally inspired food which you can wash down with fine wine with a couple of dog-friendly tables that can be pre-booked. Luigi’s Ambleside is a classic Italian restaurant with a dedicated floor where pups can join you as you dine, and Granny Dowbekins in Pooley Bridge is a dog-friendly eatery where you can enjoy freshly baked scones and homemade steak pie. Yum!

Map of dog-friendly things to do in the Lake District

Find dog-friendly attractions, places to walk your pup and Lake District towns that welcome four-legged friends in this handy map: 

Stay at a dog-friendly cottage in the Lake District

We have a great collection of dog-friendly holiday cottages located all across the Lake District. These include pet-friendly farmhouses, lakeside and lake view houses, and some attractive apartments in town locations. Wherever you choose to holiday this year with your four-legged friend, we have the place for you.