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Dog-friendly guide to Keswick holiday cottages

Dog-friendly guide to Keswick

Kate A 05 March 2025

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 sat on a pebbly Derwentwater shore.

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

Person with a dog walking on a wooden Derwentwater jetty.

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.

Good to know

  • Location: Keswick Launch, Derwentwater Foreshore, Keswick CA12 5DJ
  • Opening times: Timetables vary throughout the year, please see the Keswick Launch website for more information
  • Entry fee: Ticket prices for a round trip are Adults £14.75, Children (5 – 15) £7.50, Dogs and under-5s go free
  • Parking: Lakeside car park, 30A Lake Rd, Keswick CA12 5DG  
  • Stay nearby: High Corner Cottage | Sleeps 4 + 1 dog

The Puzzling Place

Close up of a large dog on a lead.

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.  

Good to know

  • Location: The Puzzling Place, 9 Museum Square, Keswick CA12 5DZ
  • Opening times: Open 7 days a week from 10am – 5.30pm
  • Entry fee: Adults £4.50, Children (5 – 16) £4, under-5s go free
  • Parking: There is no parking at The Puzzling Place however there are several car parks in Keswick town centre.
  • Stay nearby: Sparrows Nest - Keswick | Sleeps 4 + 1 dog

Hope Park

Pair of small dogs running through a 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.

Good to know

  • Location: Hope Park, Lake Rd, Keswick CA12 5DG
  • Opening times: Open 24 hours a day, all year round
  • Entry fee: Free entry to the park
  • Parking: Lakeside car park, 30A Lake Rd, Keswick CA12 5DG  
  • Stay nearby: 15 The Plosh | Sleeps 4 + 2 dogs

Dog-friendly pubs in Keswick

Dog sat beneath a wooden stool in a dog-friendly pub.

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.   

Our favourite Keswick pubs

  • The Dog and Gun, 2 Lake Rd, Keswick CA12 5BT
  • The Pack Horse Inn, Packhorse Court, Keswick CA12 5JB
  • The Pheasant Inn, Crosthwaite Rd, Keswick CA12 5PP

Dog-friendly places to eat in Keswick

Labrador in a cafe with a waffle and a coffee on the table.

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.  

Our favourite places to eat in Keswick

  • The Square Orange, 20 St John’s Street, Keswick CA12 5AS
  • Jasper’s Coffee House, 20 Station St, Keswick CA12 5HF
  • Merienda, 10 Main St, Keswick CA12 5JD

Dog-friendly walks around Keswick

Dog sat on top of a rocky fell looking out over Derwentwater.

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

View over Derwentwater from 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.   

Good to know

  • Starting point: Great Wood car park, Borrowdale Road, Keswick CA12 5UP
  • Distance: 4.5 miles
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Stay nearby: Barrow Gate | Sleeps 6 + 2 dogs

Catbells

Dog on a path up 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.

Good to know

  • Starting point: Hawes End Jetty (the best way to get here is by catching the Keswick Launch from the main Keswick jetty)
  • Distance: 3.5 miles
  • Difficulty: Challenging
  • Stay nearby: Carl Side View | Sleeps 2 + 1 dog

Castlerigg Stone Circle

Castlerigg Stone Circle near Keswick

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.

Good to know


Dog-friendly shops in Keswick

Welcome To Keswick sign.

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.

Our favourite shops in Keswick

  • Treeby & Bolton, 12 Lake Rd, Keswick CA12 5BX
  • Herdy, 8 Tithebarn St, Keswick CA12 5ED
  • Podgy Paws, 4-6 Tithebarn Street, Keswick CA12 5ED

Map of dog-friendly things to do in Keswick

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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.


Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing, please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.

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