Dog-friendly hotels in the Lake District

Best for: A country-house stay with direct garden access from selected rooms

A hotel and spa set in a large estate overlooking Bassenthwaite Lake, with ground-floor dog rooms intended to make the first and last walk of the day easier.

The hotel describes walks through its grounds towards Bassenthwaite Lake and points guests to nearby Dodd Wood.

Eating together

Dogs may join you in the Hall Lounge from 10am to 7pm. They are not allowed in The Dining Room or The Grill, except assistance dogs.

Useful dog detail

The stated dog supplement includes a bed, cushion, treats and waste bags. A doggy hairdryer is available for muddy days.

Accessibility check

Selected ground-floor dog-friendly rooms have patio access. Confirm the route, bathroom setup and any other access requirement with the hotel before reserving.

Before you reserve: Dog-friendly rooms are limited. Tell the hotel when booking, rather than assuming every ground-floor room accepts dogs.

Best for: Borrowdale walks from the door and eating with your dog indoors

A traditional 40-room hotel at the foot of Shepherds Crag near the southern end of Derwentwater, suited to a valley-focused walking break rather than nights in Keswick town.

The hotel describes scenic walks from its doorstep in Borrowdale, with Derwentwater, woodland and the surrounding fells forming the immediate landscape.

Eating together

Dogs are not allowed in the restaurant, but breakfast, lunch and dinner can be served with your dog in the lounges or conservatory.

Useful dog detail

Dog beds and bowls are available on request, with dog-friendly lounges and a conservatory for relaxing after walks.

Accessibility check

Two accessible bedrooms are on the ground floor, with a level route from the rear car park through the conservatory. Confirm that a room matching your access needs is also dog-friendly before booking.

Before you reserve: Add each dog as a booking extra and confirm the room, as the hotel keeps both dog-friendly and dog-free bedrooms.

Best for: A central Keswick stay with shops, buses and dog-friendly dining nearby

A 34-room hotel on Keswick Market Square, filling the town-centre gap for travellers who want services and public transport immediately outside.

Keswick Market Square is close to Hope Park, the Derwentwater launch and bus links into Borrowdale and around the northern Lakes.

Eating together

Dogs are welcome in the hotel bar and lounge, including the Front Bar and Back Bar dining areas named by the hotel group.

Useful dog detail

Dog beds and bowls are available on request, with nearby public outdoor areas rather than hotel grounds.

Accessibility check

The hotel group lists a level rear route and lift, plus two fully accessible Town rooms. Confirm that the required accessible room is also dog-friendly.

Before you reserve: Choose a dog-friendly room and add each dog during booking, because nine of the bedrooms do not accept dogs.

Best for: A lake-edge base with several places to eat with your dog

A relaxed Ullswater hotel with 18 acres of grounds and a private shoreline, useful if the ability to walk straight from the door matters as much as the room.

The hotel publishes walks from its grounds and sits close to Ullswater, Pooley Bridge and the Aira Force area.

Eating together

Dogs are welcome in The Living Space and Glasshouse. They are not allowed in Rampsbeck Restaurant, Swim Club, Library or Kids’ Zone.

Useful dog detail

Dog beds can be borrowed if needed. Dogs must be on lead in indoor public areas and off furniture.

Accessibility check

The dog rules do not provide a complete accessibility specification. Ask about step-free access and the exact route from your room to the grounds before booking.

Before you reserve: Add your dog during the booking extras step. Not every room is dog-friendly, so confirm the room type before paying.

Best for: A Glenridding base with lakeshore grounds and dog-friendly dining spaces

A 44-room hotel in Glenridding with 15 acres of grounds on Ullswater, useful for southern-lake access and trips from the nearby pier.

The hotel grounds meet the Ullswater shore in Glenridding, with access towards the village, lake steamers and routes on the Helvellyn side of the valley.

Eating together

Dogs cannot enter the main restaurant, but breakfast, lunch and dinner can be served with your dog in the Orangery or Ramblers Bar.

Useful dog detail

Dog beds and bowls are available on request, and dogs are welcome in reception and the named dog-friendly areas.

Accessibility check

The hotel publishes an access statement, but the dog page does not confirm whether an accessible bedroom is among the 15 dog-friendly rooms. Ask the hotel to match both requirements.

Before you reserve: Add your dog as an extra when booking and confirm the chosen room accepts dogs, because only part of the room inventory is dog-friendly.

Best for: A simple southern Ullswater base for Patterdale and Helvellyn-side walks

A traditional hotel in Patterdale village, useful if the walking plan starts in the southern Ullswater valley rather than beside the busier lakefront in Glenridding.

Patterdale is a practical starting point for routes towards Grisedale, Helvellyn and the southern end of Ullswater.

Eating together

Dogs are welcome in the bar and lounge all day, but they are not allowed in the restaurant.

Useful dog detail

Dog beds and bowls are available on request, and the hotel has a spacious beer garden.

Accessibility check

The hotel group states that the bar and restaurant are wheelchair accessible, but there are no wheelchair-accessible bedrooms and the toilets are not accessible.

Before you reserve: Add your dog as an online booking extra and confirm one of the limited dog-friendly rooms before paying.

Best for: A quieter Grasmere base where the hotel grounds are part of the plan

A small country-house hotel above Grasmere with six stated dog-friendly rooms in its north wing and 43 acres of woodland grounds to explore.

The hotel offers staff advice on routes from the door around Grasmere, Rydal, Loughrigg and the Langdales.

Eating together

Dogs are not allowed in the lounge or restaurant areas, so choose this one only if you are comfortable planning meals separately.

Useful dog detail

The published welcome pack includes a dog bed, food and water bowls, treats and a welcome letter.

Accessibility check

The dog-friendly room page does not publish a full accessibility specification. Ask which north-wing room best matches your mobility and access requirements.

Before you reserve: Only six rooms are described as dog-friendly. Contact the hotel to confirm both the room and current supplement.

Best for: A village-edge hotel with riverside gardens and a clear per-dog fee

A Grasmere hotel beside the River Rothay, useful for people who want to be near the village and start shorter valley walks without moving the car.

The hotel sits on the edge of Grasmere, with the village, fells and dales described as close by.

Eating together

The current Lake District hotel page confirms dogs are welcome but does not set out a restaurant rule. Contact the hotel before relying on dining together.

Useful dog detail

The dog fee includes a doggy gift bag, bowls and a dog bed.

Accessibility check

The reviewed hotel page does not provide enough detail for us to describe step-free access or an accessible dog-friendly room. Confirm directly before booking.

Before you reserve: Use the hotel’s current booking journey, then contact the team if dining with your dog or multiple-dog travel is important.

Best for: A pub-style stay with dog-friendly dining and Grasmere walks nearby

A 46-room coaching inn on the northern edge of Grasmere, combining an on-site pub with access towards the village, Helm Crag and central-lake routes.

The hotel points guests towards Helm Crag, Loughrigg Fell and the Dove Cottage to Grasmere Lake loop.

Eating together

Dogs are welcome in designated areas of the pub and restaurant, with the hotel asking guests to confirm the pet at booking.

Useful dog detail

Water bowls and treats are available, alongside a dog food range in the pub.

Accessibility check

There is level access into The Swan, but the hotel states that it has no accessible bedrooms.

Before you reserve: Add the dog option during direct booking and confirm availability, particularly if you need a specific room arrangement.

Best for: A central Ambleside stay where your dog can join dinner in a named room

A country-house hotel in Ambleside with specified dog-friendly bedrooms, a dog washroom and an indoor dining alternative for guests travelling with dogs.

The hotel positions Ambleside’s surrounding fells, lakes and tarns as its nearby walking landscape.

Eating together

Dogs are welcome in the drawing room and in the Brathay Room for dinner, provided they stay on lead and off furniture.

Useful dog detail

The published dog stay includes a bed, towel, bowl, treats and poo bags, plus use of the dog washroom and Ruff and Tumble dressing gowns.

Accessibility check

The dog page does not identify which dog-friendly bedrooms are step-free. Ask the hotel to match a named room to your access requirements.

Before you reserve: Tell the hotel you are bringing a dog when reserving, as only a limited number of rooms accept dogs.

Best for: A central, pub-style stay with shops and short Ambleside walks close by

A 29-room inn in Ambleside Market Place, useful if you want food, shops and walks such as Stock Ghyll Force within reach without driving from the hotel.

The inn points guests towards Stock Ghyll Force, Loughrigg Fell, Waterhead and Borrans Park, with Ambleside shops immediately outside.

Eating together

Dogs are welcome in designated areas of the pub and restaurant, so ask for a dog-friendly table when dining arrangements matter.

Useful dog detail

Water bowls and treats are available, along with a dog food range in the pub. The hotel group asks that dogs stay under control and are not left alone in the bedroom.

Accessibility check

The hotel states that it has no disabled access and no accessible bedrooms. Contact the reservations team if you need clarification before booking.

Before you reserve: Select the dog extra during booking so the hotel can allocate a suitable room. There is no on-site parking; the hotel directs drivers to the Rydal Road car park.

Best for: A lakeside Ambleside base directly opposite Waterhead Pier

A pub with rooms at the northern tip of Windermere, useful if lake cruises, waterside views and the walk into Ambleside matter more than a Market Place address.

Waterhead Pier is directly opposite, with Borrans Park, Ambleside and routes towards Jenkins Crag accessible from the northern lake shore.

Eating together

Dogs are welcome in designated areas of the pub and restaurant, where water bowls, treats and a dog food range are available.

Useful dog detail

Water bowls and treats are available in the inn. The separate Lakehouse rooms sit across the road and up an incline.

Accessibility check

The hotel lists disabled access through the restaurant doors and one accessible room with a few steps to and from it. Confirm that this room also accepts dogs.

Before you reserve: Add dogs during direct booking so the team can allocate a pet-friendly room. Check whether the room is in the main inn or the Lakehouse annex.