Insider's guide to the Lake District with your dog
Date published: 12 Feb 2026
Nothing sets a dog's tail wagging faster than a good walk, and when it comes to scenic strolls, the Lake District is hard to beat. With miles of lakeside paths, fells and woodlands to explore, it’s easy to see why us dog owners see it as the canine capital of the UK.
If you’re thinking about grabbing the lead and heading off for an adventure by the lakes, we’ve got the perfect itinerary for you. Here's our ulti-mutt week-long guide to the Lake District.
Day 1: Arriving in Windermere
Our adventure began in Windermere, and what a perfect place to start. When you’re booking a dog-friendly holiday in the Lake District, we recommend staying in a central location like Windermere as it’s close to the best attractions. Once you arrive, spend the rest of the day exploring with your dog and getting your bearings. We found the area to be super pet-friendly with countless lakeside walking trails, gardens, dog-friendly cafes, and boat trips to embark on.
Must-dos:
- The Orrest Head Circular is a lovely 3.5km walk with breathtaking views over Windermere and the surrounding fells. Reaching the summit only takes around 20 minutes, making it a gentle opener to your Lake District walking adventures.
- Or head out on a boat trip – dogs travel free on all Windermere Lake Cruises. You can choose from different types of boats (steamers, launches and wooden) to enjoy unbeatable views of mountains and islands.
- If you have time to spare, our dog loved sniffing around Wray Castle grounds and the woodland paths. There’s a dog-friendly cafe on-site too if you fancy refreshments.
- Grab a bite to eat at The Crafty Baa. A quirky, cosy pub in Windermere village that’s dog-friendly, family-friendly, and offers a variety of local craft beers and tasty meals.
Where to stay:
Tree House is perfectly located in the heart of the Lake District National Park, just a short walk from Lake Windermere. The ideal spot for families or friends seeking a memorable escape near all the dog-friendly activities.
Day 2: Coniston & Grizedale Forest
Just a 30-minute drive from Windermere, Coniston makes for a lovely morning outing. It’s home to the fifth largest lake in England, framed by the mighty Old Man of Coniston. Nearby, you’ll discover the Tom Gill Waterfall Walk, a gentle 1.6 mile stroll leading to a striking 30-foot waterfall. Energetic canines can extend the dog-friendly walk on to Tarn Hows, but the first hour was enough for our Maltese! Afterwards, we explored the village with its pretty stone-built cottages, shops, and dog-friendly pubs and cafes.
Must-dos:
- Explore Coniston and its scenic walks like Banishead Quarry & Waterfall, where you can enjoy views of the iconic Old Man of Coniston.
- Or head out onto the water with your dog on the Coniston Launch and Steam Yacht Gondola cruises.
- Hungry? For lunch time bites, we recommend the extremely dog-friendly, Herdwicks Cafe & Bistro.
- Grizedale Forest is a fantastic family-friendly spot to spend an afternoon, located between Coniston and Windermere lakes. Expect lots of trails to investigate, with scenic views and sculptures to discover along the way.
Day 3: Keswick & Catbells
An absolute must-do when you visit the Lake District is the Catbells walk (3.5 miles). This leads you to a summit delivering beautiful panoramic views over Keswick, Derwentwater and Borrowdale. We found the ‘mini mountain’ trail suitable for our mix of hiking abilities, with short ascents and some rockier parts. There's a short and rocky scramble near the top, most agile dogs (even small) can handle this, but you can take the south ascent to avoid it.
Afterwards, we spent the afternoon at Castlerigg Stone Circle: think Lake District’s answer to Stonehenge (bring a picnic basket, it’s a great spot to eat and watch the world go by).
Must-dos:
- Take on the 10-mile circular trail around Derwentwater and enjoy the views of the mountains. Your pup will love splashing in the water every step of the way.
- Head out for a boat trip on the Keswick Launch where your dog travels free.
- Visit The Lingholm Kitchen and Walled Garden on the north-west shore of Derwentwater (especially if you’re a fan of Beatrix Potter). From here, you can jump aboard the Keswick Launch too.
Day 4: Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway
Who can resist a laid-back day aboard a vintage steam train? Even better when it’s dog-friendly and your four-legged friend rides for free. Hop into charming 1950s carriages and chug your way through the Leven Valley, soaking up 3.2 miles of glorious countryside with your pup by your side.
Once you step off the train, explore the quaint village, enjoy a gentle wander along the lakeshore and let your dog sniff out all the best bits. We loved the combined ticket for the railway and Windermere Lake Cruises – an easy way to tick two activities off your bucket list.
Must-dos:
- Explore the Lakeland Motor Museum right by the railway station. It’s dog-friendly (on leads) so you can walk through a collection of historic vehicles with your furry friend.
- Take the Fell Foot Ferry to Fell Foot Park, a National Trust site home to lakeside strolls, with a whole meadow to explore, plus a cafe, playground and boat hire.
- Or, you could do Muncaster Castle and Gardens via the Ravenglass and Eskdale railway. Bear in mind, dogs don’t travel free on this one, but you can enjoy amazing views of the coast and hills. Dogs receive a handful of treats with their ticket, which is a nice incentive that our pup, Masey, certainly appreciated!
Day 5: Lowther Castle & gardens
We never say 'no' to a castle visit and Lowther Castle is a real showstopper where you can step back into the 19th century. Think 130-acre grounds, ruins, and plenty of surrounding woodlands to sniff around. Dogs are welcome to accompany you around the gardens (on a lead).
When it’s time for a break, head to the cafe where you’ll find dog-friendly tables for lunch or a cuppa. And if you’ve got little adventurers in tow, we're sure they'll agree The Lost Castle playground is an absolute must (it's one of the country's biggest adventure playgrounds after all).
Must-dos:
- Take the scenic route beside Lowther Castle and explore the estate. The loop leads you down woodland trails, along the river, and across open parklands with stunning views.
- Afterwards, the Punchbowl Inn is ideal for a refuel. It’s tucked away in Askham village and it’s definitely one of our new favourite dog-friendly spots. The fish and chips are to die for!
Day 6: Ullswater Steamers to Aira Force waterfall
What better way to spend our last day than exploring the magic of the Aira Force waterfalls? The Ullswater ‘Steamers’ take you across to fantastic walking routes around Ullswater Bay. And from April to October, this includes the waterfall. The trail adventure starts with leading you through a lush gorge, which serves as a build-up to the main event. The 65-foot waterfall is a sight to behold and it has a mighty roar when it’s raining. Who said rain can’t be a good thing?
It was an epic way to end our trip, and our dog loved seeing his first waterfall. He probably would’ve jumped into it, if he had his way. But the Aira Force isn’t the only attraction here, there are plenty of dog-friendly trails, woodlands, and picnic spot potentials to discover.
Must dos:
- The popular 2.1 km circular loop is well-worth a visit. It takes around an hour to complete, and you’ll pass a ‘wish tree’ embedded with coins. Maybe you can test your luck and add your own? The route is suitable for all, but we found it can be a bit steep in places. Luckily, there are handrails in place should you need them.
- For a longer hike, the Aira Force and Gowbarrow trail takes about two hours (7.2km).
- The tea room welcomes four-legged friends indoors, offering water bowls and treats.
Ready to fetch the best deals? Browse our dog-friendly cottages by the lakes and start planning your next Lake District adventure today.
Meet the author
Rachel YoungA passionate UK travel enthusiast, Rachel explores the country with her trusty sidekick, Masey the Maltese. From charming Cotswold villages to sun-soaked beaches like Weymouth, she’s always on the hunt for dog-friendly adventures that both humans and pups can enjoy.
