Dog-friendly guide to Keswick

It certainly is a dog’s life in the charming market town of Keswick. It is regularly named the ‘Most Dog-Friendly Town’ in Britain in the Kennel Club’s three years ‘Be Dog Friendly’ awards. The town is also nestled between sparkling Derwentwater and rugged mountains with plenty of scenic walks to try.

The centre of Keswick is full of restaurants, cafes and pubs that open their doors to dogs, whatever their size, offering treats, fresh bowls of water and doggy bags.

We’ve rounded up our top places to visit in Keswick with your faithful four-legged friends and if you fancy getting away to this marvellous Lake District town, you can browse our hand-picked dog-friendly cottages too.

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• Dog-friendly things to do in Keswick
• Dog-friendly pubs in Keswick
• Dog-friendly places to eat in Keswick
• Dog-friendly walks around Keswick
• Dog-friendly shops in Keswick

Dog-friendly things to do in Keswick

From scenic boat rides across Derwentwater to a fun day out at the park, we have rounded up some of our favourite dog-friendly things to do during your next Keswick getaway,

Keswick Launch

Affordable and flexible, the Keswick Launch is the perfect way to explore Keswick’s stunning lake and the surrounding fells. Its wooden boats take a leisurely 50-minute circuit between seven jetties around Derwentwater. Hop on and off to explore pebble beaches, woodlands, lakeside footpaths and hiking opportunities. It’s well worth getting off at Ashness Gate and heading to Surprise View where you can look out over Derwentwater and Lodore to visit the famous falls. Dogs are welcome aboard for free.

The Puzzling Place

The Puzzling Place is a world of optical illusion where nothing is quite what it seems, and you can’t really believe your eyes. This brilliant indoor attraction is perfect for keeping the kids entertained during school holiday, especially as well-behaved dogs on leads can join you for no additional cost. Interactive exhibits include an anti-gravity room where family members will seemingly float in the air and an Ames room where everything is magically distorted.  

Hope Park

Hope Park has beautiful, landscaped gardens with woodlands and a stream, plus pitch and putt, crazy golf and boules. There’s a lake that’s a miniature replica of Derwentwater where kids of all ages can have fun sailing remote controlled boats around the water and the dog-friendly Café Hope and ice cream kiosk sells a range of human and doggy treats to keep children and four-legged friends happy. This dog-friendly park even has a statue dedicated to Keswick’s most famous canine resident, Max the Miracle Dog.  The spaniel was awarded the PDSA order of merit for his daily live streams which helped to lift the nation’s spirit during the pandemic.

Dog-friendly pubs in Keswick

As you would expect from such a dog-friendly town, pets are very welcome in almost all Keswick pubs. The Dog and Gun is a fantastic cosy pub with a selection of local ales and a menu offering hearty pub grub (the goulash is amazing)! There are always lots of dogs in the cosy bar which comes with ancient wooden beams, roaring fires and a warm atmosphere. Another great option to head to with pups is The Pack Horse Inn, a friendly local pub with regular quizzes, an extensive range of draught beers and a menu that’s full of hearty British dishes.

The Pheasant Inn lies on the outskirts of Keswick and has a four-legged landlord called Taffy to make sure things are just right for canine companions; for a small donation to the Keswick Mountain Rescue he’ll even share his doggy treats with them.  At little further out of town is The White Horse Inn, a dog-friendly pub at the foot of Blencathra on the path of the Coast-to-Coast route which serves local ales and classic pub grub in front of roaring open fires.   

Dog-friendly places to eat in Keswick

You’ll find pet-friendly tearooms galore in Keswick serving a fabulous selection of fresh, homemade bites and aromatic coffee. The Square Orange serves Roman-style pizza, tasty tapas and an exotic collection of teas to wash it all down with. It’s laid back, welcoming and the perfect place to unwind after an afternoon of exploring with pups welcome any time of day.

Jasper’s Coffee House is named after the owner’s cockerpoo, and they serve doggy beer, cakes and ice cream alongside the human food. They have dog-related art on the wall, give out free bandanas to canine companions and serve coffee from a local Keswick roastery called Carvetti. For an evening meal we recommend heading to Merienda, a dog-friendly eatery in the middle of Keswick’s bustling market square where you can enjoy a wonderful three course meal with friends.  

Dog-friendly walks around Keswick

Surrounded by majestic peaks and just a short stroll from Derwentwater, Keswick is a perfect place for enjoying scenic walkies with four-legged friends. Dogs will love exploring the great outdoors on a bracing Keswick walk, especially if you have a cosy cottage to come back to afterwards.

Walla Crag to Ashness Bridge

This dog-friendly walk climbs steadily up through Great Wood on the edge of Derwentwater until you reach the summit of Walla Crag where you can pause and enjoy views all the way to Bassenthwaite on a clear day.  You’ll then head from Walla Crag to Ashness Bridge, an ancient packhorse bridge that’s one of the most-loved viewpoints over Derwentwater and a great spot for a photo. The walk takes in lots of woodland so dogs will have a whale of a time sniffing out adventures amongst the trees.   

Catbells

Hop on the Keswick Launch, get off at Hawes End and join the walkers heading for High Brandelhow via the family-friendly mountain, Catbells. Clearly marked trails lead the way up this easy fell and the views from the top are mesmerising. At High Brandelhow, take some time out to splash about in the lake or play fetch amongst the trees - then catch the launch back to Keswick. This is a fantastic walk for dogs of all sizes and abilities.

Castlerigg Stone Circle

Located high on a hillside above Keswick, Castlerigg Stone Circle is one of the oldest stone circles in Europe with around 40 ancient stones that stand up to around 3 metres tall. A circular walk from Keswick to Castlerigg Stone is around 4 miles and comes with stunning views of Skiddaw and Blencathra. You’ll follow the path of a disused railway line and a woodland trail during this scenic walk which is a great choice for four-legged friends.

Dog-friendly shops in Keswick

You will find an array of independent shops throughout Keswick selling everything from jewellery to clothing, handcrafted gifts for all occasions, homeware, food, art and more. The best thing about shopping in Keswick? Your pups are welcome to join you for a good browse too!

Treeby & Bolton is a treasure trove of beautiful prints, paintings and interiors. Or head to George Fisher and check out all the outdoor clothing and equipment. The Herdy Shop is another favourite, offering a selection of colourful products inspired by the Lake District’s Herdwick sheep. Podgy Paws is a haven for all things pets. Pups can enjoy a wee drink at the 'Dog Bar' before browsing all the coats, treats, toys and more.

Map of dog-friendly things to do in Keswick

Plan your dog-friendly Keswick getaway

If you fancy treating your four-legged friends to a Keswick holiday they will never forget, you’ll find plenty of dog-friendly cottages where you can rest weary heads and paws after days of Lake District adventures. Browse our full range of Keswick cottages to find your perfect base.