Top 10 Pet-Friendly Holiday Cottages in the Lake District

The Lake District is a paradise for dog owners. With endless fell walks, lake swims, and dog-friendly pubs around every corner, it's no wonder this corner of Cumbria tops the list for pet-friendly holidays in the UK.

But finding the right cottage matters. "Dog-friendly" can mean anything from a grudging tolerance (no dogs on furniture, extra cleaning fee, restricted to one room) to a genuine welcome with enclosed gardens, dog showers, treat baskets, and walking routes from the doorstep.

We've selected ten cottages that go above and beyond for four-legged guests. These are places where your dog isn't just permitted — they're properly welcomed.

Tucked into the hillside above Grasmere village, Shepherd's Rest is a traditional Lakeland stone cottage that sleeps four. The enclosed rear garden is a godsend for dogs who need a late-night toilet break without a lead, and the cottage sits at the start of several fell walks including the route up to Helm Crag.

Inside, you'll find slate floors (practical for muddy paws), a wood-burning stove, and a dedicated boot room with dog towels and a raised feeding station. The owners provide a welcome pack for dogs including local treats, a ball, and a walking map marked with their favourite routes.

Sleeps: 4 | Dogs: Up to 2 (no size restrictions) | Price guide: £150-£220 per night | Minimum stay: 3 nights

If your dog loves swimming, Lakeside Lodge is a dream. This modern lodge sits on the western shore of Windermere with a private garden that runs down to the water's edge. Dogs can paddle straight in from the garden — no roads to cross, no other beach users to worry about.

The lodge sleeps six across three bedrooms, with an open-plan living area featuring floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the lake. There's underfloor heating throughout (quick drying for wet dogs), a utility room with a dog shower, and a secure garden with a five-foot fence.

Sleeps: 6 | Dogs: Up to 3 | Price guide: £250-£400 per night | Minimum stay: 2 nights (7 in peak season)

A beautifully converted 18th-century barn on the outskirts of Keswick, Foxglove Barn combines rustic character with modern comfort. The ground floor is entirely slate-flagged — ideal for muddy dogs — and the open-plan layout means your dog can see you from anywhere in the living space.

The barn sits within a larger farm property, and the enclosed courtyard garden is shared with one other cottage (communicated clearly at booking). The owners keep a small flock of well-dog-trained sheep in adjacent fields, so reliable recall is appreciated but not mandatory as the garden is fenced.

Keswick town centre is a 15-minute walk away, with Derwentwater and Catbells just beyond.

Sleeps: 5 | Dogs: Up to 2 | Price guide: £130-£190 per night | Minimum stay: 3 nights

Set back from the road between Coniston and Hawkshead, Tarn View Retreat lives up to its name with views across to Tarn Hows — one of the Lake District's most photogenic spots and a brilliant circular walk for dogs.

The cottage is a renovated farmworker's dwelling sleeping two, making it perfect for couples with dogs. The garden is enclosed with dry stone walls and a gate, and the owners have thoughtfully added a dog flap to the back door so your dog can potter in and out at will.

Inside, dogs are welcome everywhere including the sofa (throws provided). There's a cupboard stocked with dog towels, and the owners leave recommendations for nearby dog-friendly pubs.

Sleeps: 2 | Dogs: Up to 2 (any size) | Price guide: £110-£160 per night | Minimum stay: 2 nights

On Ullswater's less-visited southern shore, The Old Dairy is a spacious conversion sleeping eight — brilliant for multi-dog families or groups of friends holidaying together. The cottage has a large enclosed garden with views across the valley, and a ground-floor bedroom that's handy for owners who prefer their dogs close at night.

The Ullswater Way walking route passes within 200 metres of the cottage, giving immediate access to lakeside paths. Aira Force waterfall is a 10-minute drive away, and the Pooley Bridge area offers cafes and pubs that welcome dogs.

The owners have fitted a boot room with heated drying racks — genuinely useful after wet Lakeland days — and provide stair gates for those who want to keep dogs downstairs.

Sleeps: 8 | Dogs: Up to 4 | Price guide: £200-£350 per night | Minimum stay: 3 nights

For those who want to be in the thick of things, Fell Gate Cottage sits on the edge of Ambleside with direct access to the fells behind. You can be on Loughrigg or heading towards Rydal Water within minutes of stepping out the front door — no driving required.

The cottage is a mid-terrace Lakeland stone property sleeping four. It doesn't have a garden (the trade-off for its central location), but there's a small paved yard at the back for quick toilet breaks. Ambleside is packed with dog-friendly pubs, cafes, and outdoor shops.

Inside, the cottage has hard floors downstairs, a crate and bowls provided, and a designated dog-drying area by the back door.

Sleeps: 4 | Dogs: 1 (any size) | Price guide: £120-£180 per night | Minimum stay: 2 nights

Set within Grizedale Forest itself, this Scandinavian-style timber cabin offers something different from the traditional stone cottage experience. Floor-to-ceiling windows look out onto birch and oak woodland, and you can step directly from the deck into miles of forest trails.

Grizedale Forest is one of the most dog-friendly environments in the Lakes — waymarked trails of varying lengths weave through the trees, and the forest floor is soft underfoot (great for older dogs' joints). The cabin sleeps four and has a wraparound deck with a hot tub (yes, some owners let their dogs in — we won't judge).

The enclosed deck area gives dogs some contained outdoor space, though it's not a full garden. The cabin has vinyl plank flooring and washable sofa covers — clearly designed with pets in mind.

Sleeps: 4 | Dogs: Up to 2 | Price guide: £180-£280 per night | Minimum stay: 3 nights

Borrowdale is regularly cited as one of England's most beautiful valleys, and Beck Side Farmhouse sits right in the heart of it. This Grade II-listed farmhouse has been in the same family for generations and retains genuine character — inglenook fireplace, exposed beams, and a flagstone kitchen that's seen centuries of muddy boots (and paws).

The large garden runs down to a beck (stream), where many dogs love to cool off after walks. The garden is enclosed by a combination of walls and hedging. Castle Crag, one of Wainwright's lowest fells, is accessible directly from the lane outside.

The farmhouse sleeps six and the owners allow up to three dogs. They ask that dogs are kept off beds and soft furnishings, but provide dog beds and blankets in each bedroom.

Sleeps: 6 | Dogs: Up to 3 | Price guide: £170-£260 per night | Minimum stay: 7 nights in peak, 3 nights off-peak

Buttermere is blissfully quiet compared to Windermere or Keswick, and Raven's Nook capitalises on that tranquillity. This small cottage (sleeping two plus a sofa bed) sits above the village with views down to Buttermere lake and the dramatic fells of Haystacks and Fleetwith Pike.

The circular walk around Buttermere lake is one of the finest low-level walks in the district — flat, scenic, and entirely dog-friendly. It starts and finishes in the village, passing through tunnels carved from rock and alongside cascading waterfalls.

Raven's Nook has a small but fully enclosed garden with a lawn, hard floors throughout, and the owners supply a comprehensive folder of local dog-friendly walks graded by difficulty.

Sleeps: 2-3 | Dogs: Up to 2 | Price guide: £100-£150 per night | Minimum stay: 2 nights

Something a bit different to round off our list — The Wool Loft is a first-floor apartment above a craft shop in Hawkshead village. It's been designed with exceptional taste: exposed timbers, a designer kitchen, and a roll-top bath with views across the village rooftops.

While it doesn't have a garden, Hawkshead is car-free in the centre, and the village green (30 seconds from the front door) provides a safe space for dogs. Esthwaite Water is a 10-minute walk, and Claife Heights offers woodland walks with lake views.

The owners welcome one well-behaved dog and have fitted easy-clean flooring throughout. They provide a dog bed, bowls, and a jar of locally made dog biscuits. The apartment's central location means you're surrounded by dog-friendly pubs and cafes.

Sleeps: 2 | Dogs: 1 (medium or small) | Price guide: £130-£190 per night | Minimum stay: 2 nights

When booking a pet-friendly cottage in the Lake District, these features separate the genuinely dog-friendly from the merely dog-tolerant:

Enclosed garden — Perhaps the single most important feature. An enclosed garden means late-night toilet breaks without getting dressed and putting shoes on. Check whether "enclosed" means fully fenced or just bounded by walls with gaps.

Hard floors — Slate, tile, or vinyl on the ground floor makes life much easier with muddy paws. Some cottages have hard floors throughout; others restrict dogs to ground-floor rooms.

Dog shower or utility room — A dedicated space to rinse off mud before it gets trailed through the cottage. Even just an outside tap with a hose attachment helps.

Walks from the door — The Lake District has fantastic footpath access, but some cottages require a car journey to reach good walks. Doorstep access to paths saves time and means spontaneous afternoon strolls.

No extra charges — Many cottages add a per-dog, per-night supplement (typically £5-£15 per dog per night). Some charge a one-off cleaning fee. Factor these into your budget comparison.

Dogs on furniture — If your dog sleeps on the sofa at home, check whether that's permitted. Many cottages provide throws to protect furniture, while others restrict dogs to floors and their own beds.