Dog Friendly Pubs in the Lake District: 7 Top Ale Houses Serving Pints and Water Bowls!

This entire area has been designated a National Park and it is easy to see why. Inspiration to writers and artists alike The lakes isn’t short on breathtaking scenery. With its vast expanses of water, dramatic mountains, fells and pet friendly pubs it is not surprising that it is a popular getaway destination for dog owners who keenly seek out the best dog-friendly pubs in the Lake District.

Great Pubs in Lake District Where Dogs Are Welcome

William Wordsworth dedicated an entire poem about it, painter Ruskin made his home on the banks of Coniston Water and today award-winning chefs have given the area four Michelin star restaurants making it a cornerstone of creativity.

If you need of a shot of inspiration and at the same time give your pup hours of exercise, then this beautiful National Park, where dogs are welcome, is where you should hang your holiday hat.

Whether you are looking for hearty food, a secluded beer garden or a warm fire after a long walk. There is a pub for you on the Lake District fells

In bustling Keswick, there are pubs that offer a very warm welcome to dogs and serve local food but only one that serves ale in their honour.

Then there is Langdale where you and Fido can end your mountain hike in a National Trust pub garden that is a bird watcher’s paradise with everything from chiffchaffs to cuckoos. These are just a couple of examples of Lake District pubs that allow dogs.

If you want to be part of the vibrancy of the Lake District, then stick to the major lakes such as Windermere where there are so many pet friendly days out in the Lake District. Take pet-friendly cruises or hire a boat and make Mutley your first mate.

Alternatively, there are areas like Buttermere and Langdale where you might find yourself in one of the eight national nature reserves where you might catch a glimpse of golden eagles, ospreys, peregrine falcons, red deer and squirrels. Take a look at our Lake District dog pubs choices that have great pub grub and local ales.

Our Top 7 Choices

Find below 7 of the best dog friendly pubs in Lake District

1. Dog Friendly Pub with its own brand of beer

The Dog and Gun, Keswick

This quaint pub is as famous for its Hungarian goulash as it is for its “dogs welcome” policy. In fact, this dog pub has inspired the Keswick Brewery to create an ale called Woof and Bang exclusively for the Dog and Gun.

The kitchen has been cooking up the pub’s extensive menu for nearly 60 years and now there is also a vegetable variant that replaces the beef with butternut squash. Enjoy a bowl of this tasty stew while your pooch has a bowl of fresh water and some treats from the doggy menu. If your dog has what it takes he or she could be the pub’s Dog of the Month and feature on the website.

2. Good food and traditional decor
Golden Rule Pub, Ambleside

Step back in time when you step into this traditional pub close the Bridge House on the steep Kirkstone Rd. Popular with mountain bikers, this historic inn is off the beaten track and up a fairly steep incline but it is worth the effort.

This dog-friendly pub will impress with its good food and extensive choice of ales and local beers on tap such as Wizard, Dizzy Blonde, Unicorn and Old Tom. For cider fans, there is Old Rosie on tap too. Even wet dogs can enjoy the ambience in the sheltered courtyard garden.

3. Lovely beer garden for dog walkers
Sticklebarn, Great Langdale

Run by the National Trust this Lake District pub that allows dogs, offers log fires, good pub grub and a welcoming atmosphere . Although you and your fur baby might be tempted to sit beside the roaring fire with the friendly locals, the stone terrace’s unsurpassed view of the Langdales has to be seen to be believed.

Sticklebarn is unique in that it is the only pub with a two out of three star Sustainable Restaurant Association rating for its locally sourced food and sustainable hydro-electric energy system.

4. Staying overnight?
The Bridge Inn, Buttermere

For 360 degrees of Lake District views from the pet-friendly pub garden, this inn is going to be a hit with dog lovers. Looking towards Red Pike, High Stile and High Crag it is situated in one of the most picturesque valleys in the country.

A break from the breathtaking surroundings in the Walkers’ Bar is not going to disappoint either. Here you can tuck into some local food at reasonable prices, enjoy a local cask ale and the friendly atmosphere while your pup is treated like royalty with doggie treats and cuddles. This inn with a big heart also has en suite bedrooms with dog bed that are all dog-friendly.

5. A Warm welcome
The Ship Inn, Coniston

The Ship Inn with its beautiful window boxes is situated on the hill overlooking the picturesque village of Coniston and is on the path of the Cumbrian Way that is a popular route for Rovers and their owners. You can stop at this welcoming pub to enjoy a ploughman’s lunch in the bar area, washed down with a pint of Robinson’s ale.

The Ship is dog friendly and the owner is on hand with treat for well behaved dogs. Indoors there is an roaring log fire, the hearth being a go-to spot for chilly dogs. Outside there is plenty of pews with a view in front of the pub.

6. Award winning food and great beer
The Flying Pig, Bowness-on-Windermere

It says a lot that locals and their dogs make this their regular. Inside, the stunningly decorated bar area welcomes dogs and humans alike. Positioned close to Lake Windermere, England’s largest lake, it is a hop, skip and jump to Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit Garden.

Muddy boots and paws are not a problem here, there are dedicated taps and bowls for pooches and even a biscuit snack or two. For you, there are fine wines and local ales such as Bowness Bay Brewing’s Fell Walker to try out.

The delicious food of this dog-friendly establishment is as contemporary as the décor, the Moving Mountains vegan burger and Eccles cake tart are just two examples.

7. Good local walks and fresh food
Tweedies, Grasmere

Described as a bar and lodge this is a pet-friendly pub in the lake district national park with a modern twist. Serving a staggering 17 different lagers, ales and ciders. It is well-known as a genuine dog pub by locals and returning visitors alike. When Fido is crunching his doggie biscuit you can tuck into some delicious local produce.

On a Sunday, you can order one of Tweedies “sharers” either sirloin of beef or corn fed chicken and after a hearty meal you can burn off those calories with a leisurely stroll.

More pubs serving great food, that welcome dogs

The Sun Inn – Kirby Lonsdale
The Woolpack Inn-Eskdale
Britannia Inn – Elterwater
The Punchbowl Inn – Askdale
The Kings Arms Hotel – Hawkshead
The Royal Oak- Borrowdale

FAQ’s

_{Is the Drunken Duck dog friendly?}

The Drunken Duck is renowned for its excellent food it welcomes dogs in the bar area but unfortunately not in the restaurant.

_{Is there a dog friendly pub in Keswick?}

The Wainwright is located close to the centre of Keswick and is one of the lake district’s popular dog friendly inns serving local cask ales and tasty pub food.

_{Are Lake District pubs dog friendly?}

Definitely, most have a dogs allowed policy, do check if you are eating in a pub restaurant though as some only allow pooches in outdoor seating areas or bar.

Looking for Holidays?

If your planning a minibreak or holiday in the lakes then check out our list of the top self catering dog friendly accomodation in the Lakes that make your four-legged friends more than welcome.

We also cover Lake District dog friendly hot tub cottage breaks here.

Last Word

The Lake District appreciates that a lot of its visitors are avid walkers who like share their holiday experiences with their dogs. You will find dog-friendly pubs which also welcome well behaved owners in all parts of the idyllic location but these are a few dog friendly pubs that stand out from the rest.

For more on the best dog walks in the Lake District it’s here.