Why the Lake District is Four-Legged Heaven

Each year, thousands of holidaymakers love to visit the Lake District to enjoy the brilliant views, spectacular lakes, and wonderful hospitality. If you’ve got your favourite four-legged friend in tow, however, you might be wondering what else the region has to offer.

As you might expect, the Lake District is very dog friendly and there are plenty of walks to help keep your four-legged friend entertained, places to stay and a good few pubs and cafes where you can both settle down for a little refreshment.

Great Walks for Dogs

The main reason why dog owners come to the Lake District is for the fantastic walks and trails. There are routes to suit every level, and all seem to come with superb views of the surrounding countryside. You’ll often meet other owners with their dogs as you travel from place to place.

You have to remember that this is a countryside location where there’s lots of livestock around, so you’ll need to be aware of this when out for a hike and keep your dog on their lead where appropriate. While you won’t need to keep your dog on a leash all the time, it’s important to watch out for wandering sheep and the odd rider on horseback as well as other dogs.

There are some amazing places to visit with your dog, including Grizedale Forest which you can spend all day exploring. If you and your dog fancy something more taxing, try one of the many fells in the area – just remember to take water and snacks for the dog, especially on hot summer days.

Pet-Friendly Accommodation

There is plenty of pet-friendly accommodation, including local holiday cottages in and around the Coniston area. Renting a cottage is ideal for pet owners because they’re a home away from home and self-contained. The Coppermines has a great range of cottages in and around Coniston that are very dog friendly.

Stopping for a Bite to Eat and a Drink

You’ll also find that many pubs, bars and cafes are pretty relaxed when it comes to customers who have a dog or two in tow. If you’re in Elterwater, the Britannia Hotel is very welcoming to our four-legged friends, both outside and in the main bar. Other places to visit are the Crafty Baa in Windermere and the Drunken Duck in Ambleside.

Most places certainly allow dogs to be outside with you and many provide water bowls on site for a little canine refreshment. Of course, you’ll need to keep your pooch under control especially if there are other dogs and lots of people around.

Other Activities for Dogs and Their Owners

Finally, if your dog is up to it and reasonably well behaved, a cruise on one of the lakes may be in order. The good news is that dogs can travel for free with their owners on Lake Windermere. If you fancy a trip by steam train, dogs can also accompany you.

And, if you’re visiting the Lake District in September, you might like to book onto the big Dog Weekend (Covid Permitting) which has a whole host of events planned for your four-legged friend. Held at Lowther Castle it includes amazing trails and dog training sessions, and there’s even a parade for rare breeds. A great day out for all the family.