Top 10 Dog Friendly Hotels in the Lake District
These are the dog friendly hotels in the Lake District that I come back to when I’m travelling with my dog. Places where both you and your dog feel genuinely welcome.
As a dog owner, I know the little things make the biggest difference: somewhere relaxed to eat together, easy access outside, towels for wet paws and staff who are genuinely pleased to see you and your dog.
I’ve stayed in dog-friendly hotels across the Lakes, including the properties below. I’ve ranked them by the welcome for dogs, the walks and days out nearby, and the overall experience.
1
Bassenthwaite · near Keswick
Ravenstone Manor
Ravenstone Manor is my number-one choice because it gets the practical side of a dog-friendly break right without losing the charm of a proper Lake District country house. You can settle in, eat well and head straight out into the northern fells.
What makes it genuinely dog friendly
The warm-water Belfast sink for muddy paws is brilliant after a wet walk, and there are towels and treats ready too. More importantly, your dog is welcome with you in the restaurant, bar and lounges, so you never feel pushed into a second-best corner. With walks starting almost from the door, the whole stay feels easy.
Anything to be aware of
The car park is fairly compact and can feel tight when the hotel is busy. This is also a hotel where you are likely to meet plenty of other dogs, so if yours is nervous or reactive, ask for a quieter room and choose an earlier or later dining time.
Dog-friendly activities nearby
Start with Dodd Wood for shaded trails, red squirrels and lovely views over Bassenthwaite. On a clear day, Skiddaw is the bigger challenge; for something gentler, stay low around the lake or explore the quieter paths near Mirehouse. Keswick is close enough for cafés, shops and a change of pace.
Why the hotel itself stands out
After a wet day outside, this is exactly the sort of place I want to return to: fires, comfortable lounges, handsome rooms, big views and food good enough to keep you in for the evening. It feels peaceful and special without leaving you cut off from Keswick.
2
Watermillock · Ullswater
Another Place, The Lake
Another Place is the one I recommend when you want an active dog-friendly break without giving up stylish rooms, good food or a proper swim and soak afterwards. Ullswater is right there, so the lake becomes part of your stay from the moment you arrive.
What makes it genuinely dog friendly
The 18 acres of grounds and private shoreline make early walks and late-night trips outside simple. Dogs are welcome in selected rooms and can join you in the Living Space and Glasshouse, so you can eat and relax together. I particularly like how naturally dogs fit into the hotel rather than feeling like an add-on.
Anything to be aware of
Only selected rooms and accommodation types take dogs, and some wellness and more formal indoor areas are off limits. Confirm the exact room and dining plan before you book, particularly for weekends and school holidays. It is a lively, activity-led hotel, so it may feel busy if your dog prefers complete quiet.
Dog-friendly activities nearby
You can build a whole break around Ullswater: walk a stretch of the shore, take a dog-friendly steamer, visit Aira Force or stop in Pooley Bridge. The hotel also offers paddleboarding, kayaking, wild swimming and guided outdoor sessions, while the walking guides at reception are useful for planning around the weather.
Why the hotel itself stands out
This is a contemporary lakeside resort rather than a traditional country house. The 25-metre pool, outdoor hot tub, watersports and unusual accommodation, including shepherd huts and a treehouse, make it especially good when different people in your group want different kinds of day.
3
Glenridding · Ullswater
The Inn on the Lake
The Inn on the Lake is a wonderfully easy Ullswater choice: lawns leading towards the water, the Glenridding steamer pier close by and enough dog-friendly space inside that you can enjoy the hotel together.
What makes it genuinely dog friendly
The room set-up is genuinely useful, with a dog bed, bowl, towels and waste bags waiting for you. Reception also keeps extra towels for damp dogs. You can eat together in the Orangery or Ramblers Bar, then use the grounds for a calm first or final walk of the day.
Anything to be aware of
Dogs cannot go into the main restaurant, so you will need to eat in one of the designated dog-friendly spaces. I would reserve a table there at busy times and double-check that you have booked one of the hotel’s dog-friendly bedrooms.
Dog-friendly activities nearby
The steamer pier makes a walk-and-boat day almost effortless. Aira Force is nearby, Place Fell is a superb bigger outing, and there are gentler lakeshore routes when the weather turns. Experienced walkers can also use Glenridding as a base for Helvellyn, but only with a fit dog and suitable conditions.
Why the hotel itself stands out
The setting is the star: landscaped grounds, mountain views and Ullswater just beyond the lawn. The rooms are comfortable, the showers are strong and the bar is exactly where you want to end up after a long day outside.
4
Ambleside
Rothay Manor Boutique Hotel
Rothay Manor is my pick for a more refined dog-friendly stay in Ambleside. You get boutique rooms and genuinely serious food, while still having muddy-paw practicalities and excellent walks close by.
What makes it genuinely dog friendly
The welcome feels thought through: a proper dog bed, treats and a towel in the room, plus a dedicated dog-wash area for muddy returns. Dogs can dine with you in the Brathay room, so you can still enjoy the hotel’s food without leaving them upstairs.
Anything to be aware of
The main fine-dining restaurant is not dog friendly, and only selected bedrooms accept dogs. Book the right room and dining space in advance. This is a polished, food-led hotel rather than a rough-and-ready walkers’ inn, which is part of the appeal but worth knowing.
Dog-friendly activities nearby
Walk down to Waterhead and the Windermere shore, climb Loughrigg for a shorter route with big views, or follow the paths through Rydal towards Grasmere. Ambleside also gives you easy access to Langdale, lake cruises and plenty of dog-friendly cafés and pubs.
Why the hotel itself stands out
The Regency villa has real character, and the individually styled rooms and Pavilion Suites make the stay feel special. Service is warm and the food is a major reason to book. There is no large spa, but with the fells and lake on the doorstep I have never felt that was a drawback.
5
Borrowdale · near Keswick
Mary Mount Hotel
Mary Mount is a relaxed, traditional hotel that works especially well when your priorities are Derwentwater, straightforward meals and easy outdoor access for your dog.
What makes it genuinely dog friendly
The ground-floor and bungalow-style rooms are the ones I would choose, especially those with doors opening towards the garden. Dogs can join you in the bar or conservatory for meals, and touches such as a breakfast sausage for the dog make the welcome feel warm and personal.
Anything to be aware of
Dog-friendly dining is mainly in the bar or conservatory rather than throughout the hotel, and the rooms vary between the main house and Four Oaks accommodation. Ask for direct outdoor access when booking if your dog needs quick, easy trips outside.
Dog-friendly activities nearby
Derwentwater is right on the doorstep, with Borrowdale’s woodland and valley paths close by. Catbells is a great option for a fit, confident dog, while the launches let you shorten a lakeside walk. The local bus is also useful for a one-way route deeper into Borrowdale.
Why the hotel itself stands out
The lawns, lake access and views towards Catbells are difficult to beat. Inside, the hotel is comfortable rather than showy, with friendly service and wholesome food. It is a lovely choice when location and ease matter more than glossy design.
6
Ireby · northern Lake District
Overwater Hall
Overwater Hall is the quiet country-house option on this list. Small, personal and ideal when you want the northern Lakes to feel calm rather than crowded.
What makes it genuinely dog friendly
A homemade dog biscuit starts the stay nicely, and dogs are welcome in the bedrooms plus a designated lounge and bar. The 18 acres of grounds and woodland boardwalk are excellent for quick walks, and dog-sitting may be possible if arranged in advance.
Anything to be aware of
Dogs cannot join you in the main dining room, and dinner is a structured multi-course affair rather than casual all-day food. Think about how your dog will settle while you eat and confirm any sitting arrangement before arrival.
Dog-friendly activities nearby
Binsey is a good local fell, while Bassenthwaite and Dodd Wood offer lower-level walking and red-squirrel country. I also like using Overwater Hall as a base for Caldbeck and the quieter northern fells, where you can escape much of the central Lakes traffic.
Why the hotel itself stands out
The rooms have proper country-house character, the gardens feel secluded and the service is very personal. This is somewhere to slow down, read by the fire and enjoy a long dinner rather than rush between attractions.
7
Borrowdale · near Keswick
The Borrowdale Hotel
The Borrowdale Hotel suits the rhythm of a proper walking holiday: boots off, dog dried, fire lit and dinner close at hand, with some of the valley’s best routes starting nearby.
What makes it genuinely dog friendly
Dog-friendly rooms come with beds and bowls, and your dog can sit with you while you eat in the lounge or conservatory. The field across the road is useful for quick breaks, while the bus stop outside and walks from the door mean the car can stay parked.
Anything to be aware of
The hotel keeps both dog-friendly and dog-free rooms and areas, so check exactly where you will be staying. It is a traditional walkers’ hotel and shared spaces can be lively at peak times, which may not suit every dog.
Dog-friendly activities nearby
Castle Crag, Rosthwaite, the Derwentwater shore and the paths around Grange are all easy choices from here. Use the local bus to create a one-way valley walk, or combine a shorter route with a launch from the Keswick side of the lake.
Why the hotel itself stands out
Open fires, comfortable lounges, a conservatory, traditional British cooking and a good wine cellar give the hotel a reassuringly classic feel. It is especially good for repeat visits when walking is the main event.
8
Grasmere
The Inn at Grasmere
The Inn at Grasmere puts you in the middle of village life, with walks, buses, cafés and the bar all close enough that you can leave the car alone for much of your stay.
What makes it genuinely dog friendly
Dogs are welcome through most of the hotel, so the public areas feel relaxed and sociable. The biggest advantage is the location: you can step out of the front door and be on a proper walk within minutes, then come back for a drink without planning another journey.
Anything to be aware of
Some dog-friendly rooms feel compact once a dog bed is down, and the in-room dog extras have not always been consistent. Parking can also be awkward when Grasmere is busy. I would book the room carefully and ask exactly what is provided.
Dog-friendly activities nearby
Helm Crag is the energetic local classic, while Easedale Tarn and Silver How give you different levels of challenge. For an easier day, walk sections around Grasmere and Rydal Water or take the bus to Ambleside and walk back.
Why the hotel itself stands out
The swimming pool is a welcome bonus after a wet or strenuous day, and the better suites add a little occasion. What really sells it, though, is convenience: village atmosphere, routes and transport are all immediately available.
9
Windermere
Applegarth Villa Hotel & Apple Restaurant
Applegarth Villa is the couples’ choice: an adults-only stay where selected dog-friendly suites have private entrances, outdoor space and, in some cases, their own hot tub.
What makes it genuinely dog friendly
There are three designated dog-friendly suites, all on the ground floor with their own entrances, ideal for early and late walks. Bowls, treats and a local walking guide are provided. Your dog can join you in the bar or on the terrace, and you can also arrange food in your suite.
Anything to be aware of
Dog-friendly suites are limited and dogs cannot go into the main restaurant. It is also adults only, so it is not one for a family break. Reserve the correct suite early and plan to eat in the bar, on the terrace or in your room.
Dog-friendly activities nearby
Orrest Head gives you a rewarding local viewpoint without committing to a full day. From Bowness, dog-friendly Windermere cruises open up walks elsewhere around the lake. Queen Adelaide’s Hill and the paths towards Troutbeck are good shorter options.
Why the hotel itself stands out
The rooms are the main attraction: large beds, dramatic bathrooms, slipper baths, wet-room showers and private terraces or hot tubs in selected suites. Breakfast and dinner are taken seriously, making this a strong special-occasion stay for dog-owning couples.
10
Cartmel
Aynsome Manor
Aynsome Manor is a distinctive final choice: a small country-house hotel near Cartmel with some of the most practical dedicated dog facilities on the list.
What makes it genuinely dog friendly
Four dog-friendly rooms have their own staircase, parking and entrance, plus access to Bamford’s, a dedicated lounge for owners and dogs. There is a hot-and-cold dog wash, bowls, a courtyard and the option to have breakfast with your dog. Dog-sitting may also be available.
Anything to be aware of
Only one dog is accepted per room, and dogs cannot use the other public areas. The hotel does not serve dinner, so evenings involve a walk, drive or the hotel’s transport into Cartmel. Those limits are important, even though the dedicated dog set-up is excellent.
Dog-friendly activities nearby
Cartmel’s lanes and surrounding valley paths are perfect for an unhurried day. Hampsfell and Grange-over-Sands offer wider views and a change of scenery, while Holker Hall and the southern Lakes are easy additions, check dog access before you set off.
Why the hotel itself stands out
The refurbished rooms are smart and comfortable, breakfast is a highlight, and the hotel’s chauffeur or minibus service makes Cartmel’s restaurants part of the stay. It suits travellers who want peace, good food nearby and a polished base rather than a full resort.
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