Queen's Head Askham

The Queen's Head sits in the middle of Askham, a quiet village of stone cottages on the eastern edge of the Lake District, a couple of miles from Lowther Castle and its gardens. It is a traditional inn with rooms above the bar, which suits dog owners who would rather have their dog beside them through the evening than shut in a bedroom while they eat.

Dogs are treated as ordinary guests here rather than an exception. Every bedroom takes dogs, and canine guests staying overnight get a welcome pack holding a treat, a map of local walks and poo bags. Guests travelling with dogs describe a reception that feels relaxed and unfussed, with staff finding time for the dog as readily as for the people even when the bar is busy. The food comes up almost as often as the welcome, and the pizza in particular is what brings people back on a Sunday evening.

Two practical points before booking. Guest feedback mentions a charge for bringing a dog along with some disappointment about what it included, so it is worth confirming both the amount and what comes with it at the time of booking. An air conditioning unit outside one of the bedroom windows has also been noisy enough to draw comment, so light sleepers may want to ask for a room away from it.

Askham itself is the other half of the appeal. Lowther Castle and its parkland are within walking distance, the lanes around the village are quiet enough for a last walk after dinner, and Ullswater is a short drive west. There is no published limit on the number of dogs per room and no stated rule on where dogs can go inside the inn, so check both with the inn directly if you are bringing more than one.

Best suited to a couple bringing one or two well behaved dogs for a Lowther and Ullswater based break, who want a proper village pub at the end of the walk rather than a hotel lounge, and who will eat in at least one evening.