
The Lake District is a magical region, rich in literary history and legend, and full of striking ribbon lakes and craggy mountains. So much so that it’d be just short of a crime not to take your four-legged friend along with you when you set off on your holidays. OK, so maybe your pooch won’t be that fussed by the literary history, but the rest…come on…
Whether you’re walking along the shores of Derwentwater or Lake Windermere, or braving the fells and woodland of Buttermere Valley, you and your pup will be sure to work up a thirst after you discover the Lake District.
And so, after such languid walks (or sometimes before them), there’s nothing you want to do more than cosy up next to a roaring log fire with a pint of local ale in one hand while your pup snoozes contentedly at your feet. That’s why we’ve put together this list of dog-friendly pubs in the Lake District for you, so you can plan your wanderings around your watering holes.
Dog-friendly Lake District cottages
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Dog-friendly pubs in Windermere

Photo courtesy of @greteltheteckel
The Queens
Nestled in the heart of Windermere village, The Queens is a good old fashioned English pub. Originally a traditional coaching inn, you’ll find Cumbrian hospitality in abundance when you and your tail-wagging friend walk in.
Let the pup settle down in front of the wood burner whilst you order up a hand-pulled cask beer or, on drier evenings, head out to the garden with its open firepit and reminisce over the day’s walk.
Highlights
- Two outdoor areas – a front terrace and a suntrap of a garden with a firepit
- Dogs are welcome all through the day and up until 8pm
- Games nights and quizzes held weekly

Photo courtesy of @windermerebrewingcompany
Watermill Inn
Surrounded by scenic walks and the beautiful Lakeland Fells, the Watermill Inn will give you one of the warmest welcomes in the Lake District. Unwind in the bar with its traditional oak beams or once more take in the fresh air in the spacious beer garden.
This inn even has its own microbrewery (which you can see through the viewing window), with most of the beers being named after dogs (e.g. A Bit’er Ruff and Golden Retriever), and it even has an award-winning beer, again, aptly named Collie Wobbles.
Highlights
- Dogs are often served before their owners!
- Dogs are welcome in the main ‘River Bar’ and also in the beer garden
- Free dog treats and fresh Lakeland water for parched pups
All dog-friendly Windermere cottages
Dog-friendly pubs in Bowness-on-Windermere

Photos courtesy of @theinncollectiongroup (left), @brucespringerstirz (bottom right) and @sophiehannah02 (top right)
The Angel Inn
A short stroll from the shores of Lake Windermere, The Angel Inn is perfectly situated to breathe in the best of the Lake District. This classic British inn towers over the lively village and welcomes you to take a seat in the beer garden whilst you view stunning vistas from Claife Heights to the Langdale Pikes beyond.
As the evening draws in, head inside and relax by the flames of the fire and grab yourself a well-deserved dish of Cumbrian cuisine.
Highlights
- Fantastic fell and lake walks nearby, including England’s tallest mountain Scafell Pike and its deepest lake, Wastwater
- Take advantage of the dog-friendly activities close by, for example, Windermere Lake Cruises
- Curl up next to the blazing fire and snooze away (the dog, not you!)

Photos courtesy of @carras.kitchen (top left), @jdmoose37 (bottom left) and @layla_the_golden_cavapoo (right)
The Flying Pig
Whether you want to relax by the fire in the library-style bar with a drink or grab some delicious, homemade British pub grub, you’ll want to stop off at this dog-friendly pub in Bowness-on-Windermere.
The Flying Pig offers a welcome distraction from a day of walking the fells, and with the bar area welcoming dogs, you’ll want to soak up the cosy atmosphere whilst you give your feet and paws a much-needed rest.
Highlights
- Located right next to lots of popular walking routes
- The bar area has dedicated taps and bowls for the parched pooches
- Biscuits and strokes available to canine cuties
All dog-friendly Bowness-on-Windermere cottages
Dog-friendly pubs in Hawkshead

The Red Lion Inn
A traditional 15th-century Lakeland inn, The Red Lion Inn is in fact the oldest pub in Hawkshead. Touted as one of the best dog-friendly pubs in the Lake District, it’s not hard to see why. How many other pubs can honestly say that they provide a dedicated dog menu for your four-legged friend?
No more begging for scraps, no more sniffing around under the table for castoff crumbs or discarded titbits; honour your hound by ordering him a specially crafted meal to suit his doggy palette.
Highlights
- Full doggy menu and dog snacks too
- Outdoor beer garden (though not fully enclosed)
- Well-behaved owners also welcomed!

Bottom left and bottom right courtesy of @queensheadhawkshead
Queen’s Head Inn
Wander in on two feet or four paws and you’ll be immediately welcomed into the cosy arms of one of Hawkshead’s gems. Sporting a Tudor style from the outside, the Queen’s Head Inn has been welcoming rovers (canine and human) through its doors since the 17th century.
After a day of walking, treat yourself to some classic Cumbrian fare, where seasonal ingredients and locally sourced produce are used as much as possible.
Highlights
- Roaring log fires
- Iconic fell walks
- Dog-friendly outdoor space (though not enclosed)
All dog-friendly Hawkshead cottages
Dog-friendly pubs in Ambleside

Photos courtesy of @lauras_travel_diary_ (left) and @chrishewath (right)
The Wateredge Inn
Nestled on the banks of Lake Windermere, there won’t be many better places in the Lake District to pull up a pew and take a load off whilst viewing the spectacular vistas across the water. Sharing a drink with a loved one or friend is so much finer next to rippling water, and then couple that with spending it with your canine companion too and you’ve got a match made in heaven.
So, rest up on the waterside terrace with a drink, watch the boats pull up to the pier and the swans feeding in the shallows, and soak up all that the Wateredge Inn has to offer.
Highlights
- Set in over an acre of private land, there’ll be plenty of room to stretch four legs
- Direct access to the lakeshore and the breathtaking walks in the surrounding hills
- Dog-friendly areas in both the bar and dining room, as well as the outdoor spaces too

Cuckoo Brow Inn
Looking down from the hill between Lake Windemere and Hawkshead village, the Cuckoo Brow Inn is another pub hemmed in by gorgeous Lakeland panoramic countryside, which is studded with popular walking trails to meet the needs of all-comers.
The Cuckoo Brow tries to be sustainable wherever possible and therefore sources locally for its real ales and proper Cumbrian fare. So, take a seat on one of the comfy sofas in front of the fire, check the biscuit tin for doggy treats and order up a pint and a hearty gourmet meal.
Highlights
- Muddy boots, wet dogs and children welcome
- Wood burners in the bar to dry your paws
- Lake Windemere and other beautiful walks nearby
All dog-friendly Ambleside cottages
Dog-friendly pubs in Keswick

Photos courtesy of The Pheasant Inn (left), @lyndseymitchinson (top right) and @clubthrifty (bottom right)
The Pheasant Inn
If there was ever an excuse to lead your dog to the Lake District, then you’ll not find a better one than to frequent the Pheasant Inn, where you’ll be welcomed with open paws by the one and only Taffy the landlord. Taffy even has one of the dog-friendly outside areas named after him so there really is no arguing over who rules the roost in this tavern.
This inn serves high-quality food and is proud of its ale, as the Cask Marque Certificate of Excellence will attest to. So, cosy up next to the open fire and soak up the ambience before heading back to your dog-friendly cottage.
Highlights
- Meet the puppy proprietor, Taffy
- Relax in the beer garden, aptly named Taffy’s Terrace
- For a small donation to the Keswick Mountain Rescue charity, you can have one of Taffy’s doggy treats

Photos courtesy of @paulglicious (left) and @sbarnes13 (right)
Royal Oak
The Royal Oak is another of those charming, characterful coaching inns that the Lake District is famed for. Dating back to the 18th century, the Oak is in an ideal location for walkers who want to take in the renowned scenery of the area, but also great if you just want to mosey around Keswick town and wander towards the open-air market (held on a Thursday).
With hand-pulled beers and a nicely varied menu of pub grub, your pooch and you will be glad of your pitstop here.
Highlights
- Incredible countryside walks and landscapes to view on the pub’s doorstep
- Roaring fires for you and your pup to warm yourselves by
- Another welcoming dog-friendly pub, the Dog & Gun, is nearby
All dog-friendly Keswick cottages
Stay with us in the Lake District
No doubt you’ve built up a thirst reading about all these fantastic dog-friendly pubs, so why not take a look at our full range of dog-friendly cottages in the Lake District and get your holiday booked in?
All dog-friendly Lake District cottages
Don’t forget to use the map below to help you locate all ten of the pubs mentioned here, or read more of our blogs here to find further holiday inspiration.