Station Inn B&B

The Station Inn B&B sits in Oxenholme, a village on the southern edge of the Lake District just outside Kendal, and it has become a dependable base for travellers heading into the fells with a dog. The family-run inn pairs comfortable rooms with a busy bar and restaurant downstairs, and dogs are treated as welcome guests rather than an afterthought.

Dogs stay free of charge here, which is unusual for the UK, and there are no breed or size restrictions to worry about. They are welcome throughout the bar and lounge, including at mealtimes, though not in the separate dining room, so most guests simply eat with their dog in the bar. The inn has its own resident dog too, which adds to the relaxed, dog-friendly feel that visitors often mention.

Location is a big part of the appeal. The Helm, a short fell walk, rises directly opposite the inn, giving dogs somewhere to stretch their legs the moment you step outside. Oxenholme station, on the West Coast Main Line, is a five-minute walk away, making this a genuinely practical stop for anyone reaching the Lakes by train with a dog rather than by car. Guests travelling with dogs consistently describe warm, welcoming hosts and rooms with enough space to settle a larger dog comfortably.

Repeat visitors describe the inn as reliable stay after stay, whether as an overnight stopover on the route between the south and Scotland or as a quieter base for exploring the southern Lakes. As with any pet-friendly stay, it is worth confirming room allocation and any current requirements directly with the inn when you book. It suits couples, solo travellers and families using Oxenholme as a rail or road stopover, or anyone wanting a straightforward, welcoming stay with a well-behaved dog of any size.