DOG FRIENDLY COTTAGES & HOTELS IN THE LAKE DISTRICT
Dog Friendly Stays, Lake District views
Real dog-friendly hotels, cottages and inns across the Lakes.
Dog Friendly Hotels / Lake District / Cotswolds
Dog Friendly Cottages in the Lake District
Fells, lakeside trails, and a warm welcome for your dog — the Lake District is one of the easiest places in the UK to holiday with a four-legged companion. Below are handpicked hotels and cottages across Ambleside, Bowness-on-Windermere, Glenridding, and Keswick, all genuinely dog-friendly and checked for pet policy, fees, and nearby walks.
The Windermere Rooms at The Wateredge Inn
Location: Waterhead Bay, Ambleside, Cumbria (Lake District)
Price: ££
Address: Waterhead Bay, Ambleside LA22 0ES, United Kingdom
The Windermere Rooms at The Wateredge Inn, Ambleside sit in the heart of the Lake District, surrounded by fells and lakes, with dogs welcome too.
The Angel Inn
Location: Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria (Lake District)
Price: £££
Address: Helm Rd, Bowness-on-Windermere, Windermere LA23 3BU, United Kingdom
The Angel Inn in Bowness-on-Windermere offers dog-friendly family rooms with private bathrooms, tea and coffee facilities, and free WiFi, each with a work desk, TV, and wardrobe.
Barakat Lakes Escape
Location: Borrans Road, Ambleside, Cumbria (Lake District)
Price: ££££
Address: Borrans Rd, Ambleside LA22 0EN, UK
Barakat Lakes Escape in Ambleside is a spacious, dog-friendly holiday home with three bedrooms and three bathrooms, featuring a private entrance and a fully equipped kitchen with modern appliances.
The Ullswater Inn
Location: Glenridding, Cumbria (Lake District)
Price: £££
Address: A592, Glenridding, Penrith CA11 0PB, United Kingdom
The Ullswater Inn in Glenridding is housed in a charming, dog-friendly historic building, offering a unique and memorable setting for a relaxing stay in the heart of the Lake District.
Shundraw Cottage
Location: nr. Keswick, Cumbria (Lake District)
Price: £££
Address: Farm, Shundraw, St Johns-in-the-Vale, Keswick CA12 4RR, United Kingdom
Shundraw Cottage in Keswick is a spacious, dog-friendly holiday home with three bedrooms and a bathroom, complete with a fully equipped kitchen, washing machine, and free WiFi.
Exploring the Lake District with Your Dog
The Lake District isn’t just tolerant of dogs — it’s built for them. Many of the region’s best-loved walks, from gentle lakeshore paths around Windermere to the more demanding fell routes near Glenridding and Keswick, are well-trodden by dogs and their owners alike. Grasmere, Derwentwater, and Ullswater all have flat, dog-friendly circuits ideal for a relaxed morning, while more energetic dogs can tackle routes up Catbells or Loughrigg Fell.
A few things to keep in mind before you go:
- Livestock and lead laws – Much of the Lake District is working farmland, so dogs must be kept on a lead around sheep and cattle, particularly during lambing season (March–May).
- Lake access – Many lakes allow dogs to swim, but check local signage, as some areas near Windermere restrict access during busier summer months.
- Village life – Ambleside, Bowness-on-Windermere, and Keswick all have dog-friendly cafés and pubs, so a rainy afternoon rarely means being stuck indoors.
- Ticks and terrain – Fell walks can mean long grass and bracken, so it’s worth checking your dog over after longer routes.
Whether you’re after a lakeside stroll or a proper fell day out, the Lake District rewards dogs and owners who like to explore — and the stays above are all within easy reach of the best of it.