Book a beautiful break at dog-friendly cottages in the Lake District.
Without a doubt, the Lake District is one of the most beautiful locations in the UK. It’s certainly one of the most popular holiday destinations too.
Popularity aside, it’s also one of the best holiday destinations where you can take your favourite furry friends with you. With stunning scenery, beautiful countryside and areas of outstanding natural beauty, there is so much to see and do with your four-legged friends.
To make the abundance of choice easier for you, we have put together a list of our favourite dog-friendly cottages in the Lake District National Park. Check out the properties below, and we’re sure you’ll find something perfect for your next pet-friendly holiday.
The Top 6 Dog-Friendly Cottages in the Lake District:
- Silverholme Manor – Graythwaite, Lake District
- Thirlmere – Near Sawrey, Lake District
- Hilltop – Cunsey, Lake District
- Hazelseat House – Graythwaite, Lake District
- Ullswater – Near Sawrey, Lake District
- Crabtree – Graythwaite, Lake District
Silverholme Manor
Location: Graythwaite, Lake District National Park
great for: A stunning nine-bedroom Georgian manor house perfect for large gatherings
If you’re looking to celebrate a birthday or anniversary in style, or if you’re simply wanting to holiday in total luxury, this stunning nine-bedroom manor house will not disappoint you. Perched on the shore of Lake Windermere in the heart of the national park, Silverholme Manor is set in the ideal location from which to explore the area and is certainly one of the most opulent holiday cottages on offer.
With so much to see and so many activities in the local area, there is sure to be something for everyone in your party – even a party as large as this! For those looking for some action, there are plenty of water sports on offer down at the lake, including canoeing, paddle boarding and sailing. You can even try a bit of wild swimming if you’re brave enough! For those in the party who are looking for a more relaxing (and drier) stay, why not check out the local spas or take a walk around the stunning farmhouse that is Beatrix Potter’s Hill Top? There is something for everyone, including your four-legged friend, on a Lake District holiday, and it is not hard to see why this is one of the most impressive pet-friendly cottages in the Lake District.
Facilities: Silverholme Manor is an eco-friendly Georgian Manor House that can accommodate up to 18 people in eight beautiful en-suite bedrooms and one stunning self-contained cottage for two. The huge kitchen is light and airy thanks to the wonderful full windows looking out onto the lake. Handmade cupboards, marble worktops and dining seating that can comfortably fit 18 make this the perfect place to enjoy breakfast with stunning views. It also has all the modern facilities you might need, including two dishwashers, a separate glass washer, two fridge-freezers, a walk-in larder and even a remote-controlled extraction fan!
As well as dining in the kitchen, there is also the option to use the formal dining room with its large antique table and beautiful high-backed chairs. A library, a drawing room and a separate TV room complete the living area, all with Wi-Fi connection so you will find plenty of places to sit, relax and enjoy some quiet time in front of the large open fire or woodburning stove. The outside will not disappoint either. The enclosed garden offers table tennis, lawn games and a great fire pit, so you can continue the entertainment outside during the warm summer evenings. It’s easy to see why this makes the top of our list of the best dog-friendly cottages in the Lake District.
Thirlmere
location: Near Sawrey, Lake District National Park
great for: A first-floor apartment that overlooks the stunning views of the Esthwaite Valley
The village of Sawrey is situated two miles from Hawkshead on the shores of Esthwaite Water. It is here where Beatrix Potter created many of her famous characters, and her lovingly restored Hill Top home is now a popular visitor attraction, owned and run by the National Trust. This is a must-visit if you are staying at Thirlmere. For those guests who are looking for some action, there is an abundance of water sports on offer at Lake Windermere, including canoeing, paddle boarding, sailing and wild swimming.
There are also plenty of walking paths, including the Dales Way, and cycling routes available to explore locally, all of which are great to explore with your canine companion. A short drive will take you to Windermere village and the beautiful town of Ambleside, where you will find a great selection of shops, bars and restaurants.
Facilities: This superb apartment is located in a characterful cottage resting in a stunning location overlooking the Esthwaite Valley. It can accommodate up to four guests in two bedrooms – one double and one twin – making it the perfect base for small families or two couples. There is a charming open-plan living area with a kitchen, dining area and sitting area with a woodburning stove. The kitchen is fully equipped with everything you might need during your stay, including the all-important washing machine as well as a tumble dryer in the shared laundry room.
Outside, there is use of a well-kept lawned garden that is shared with other properties, as well as plenty of private parking in the shared courtyard. All of this easily makes Thirlmere one of our favourite dog-friendly holiday cottages in the Lake District.
Hilltop
location: Cunsey, Lake District national park
great for: A wonderful aND STYLISH COTTAGE situated in a woodland with fantastic lake and mountain views
Hilltop is part of the beautiful Graythwaite Estate and is located up its own private track in the forest, making for a wonderfully peaceful holiday location. The property is a 15-minute walk from the shores of Windermere Lake and just three miles from the central Home Farm Courtyard where you will find a home farm shop and a swimming pool available for guests to book. Hilltop is also located just a short drive from the Far Sawrey to Bowness ferry, giving you plenty of options for day trips during your stay.
If you are feeling active, you can try a range of outdoor pursuits on nearby Lake Windermere, ranging from canoeing and paddle boarding to sailing. There are plenty of walking paths and cycling trails that can be accessed directly from the property too. If you are looking for a more relaxing time, brush up on your history and visit the World of Beatrix Potter Attraction, the Stott Park Bobbin Mill or the National Trust property of Hill Top. The on-site activity company, Graythwaite Adventure, also provides activities including 4×4 off-road driving, clay pigeon shooting, archery, bushcraft and even axe throwing! There is something for everyone at Hilltop, and your four-legged friend is sure to love it too.
Facilities: This wonderful dog-friendly holiday cottage has two attractive bedrooms – one king-size double with en suite and one twin room – making it the ideal holiday home for families or small groups of friends. There is a well-equipped kitchen and open plan dining area, along with a very comfortable and welcoming sitting room with an open fire for those cosy evenings in front of the TV.
Outside, you will find a wonderful private enclosed garden, so you can enjoy dining al fresco during the summer months. Lucky for you, the property is dog friendly, so your four-legged friend can join you on holiday and enjoy the beautiful countryside. What more could you want? You can certainly see why Hilltop is one of Breakfree Holidays’ favourite dog-friendly cottages in Cumbria.
Hazelseat House
location: Graythwaite, Lake District national park
great for: A large holiday home resting in a superb location with its own private hot tub
This large, modern property is located on the Graythwaite Estate sitting between the village of Hawkshead and the town of Ulverston on the edge of Lake Windermere, and it has some of the best views on the estate. There are plenty of stunning walking routes that you can access directly from the property, as well as endless picturesque villages and towns to explore. There are even numerous dog-friendly pubs in the area, so you can enjoy a meal or relax with a drink with your canine companion. The glorious waterside location, amazing views and superb surrounding countryside make this a really unbeatable property and one of our favourite dog-friendly cottages within the Lake District.
Facilities: Hazelseat House is a modern property that has been designed to be light and airy and give you all the space you might need in order to accommodate a large group of friends or extended family. With 6 bedrooms the property can accommodate up to twelve guests, and with some of those bedrooms located on the ground floor, it makes the perfect holiday home for guests who might have mobility issues. The house has two sitting rooms, so there is plenty of space for your guests to sit and relax in the evenings after a busy day exploring the National Park.
The luxury continues outside with an outdoor seating area and private hot tub as well as plenty of private parking for all your guests. The hot tub boasts incredible panoramic views out across the surrounding countryside, making it the ideal place for a relaxing post-dinner drink in the summer. The property also has shared use of the Graythwaite Estate grounds which include an indoor heated swimming pool, table tennis room, children’s play area, fitness suite and a 2.5-acre trout fishing lake. As one of our ultimate dog-friendly cottages in the UK, if you’re heading to the Lake District for your next holiday with the dogs, it’s worthwhile checking out Hazelseat House.
Ullswater
location: Near Sawrey, Lake District national park
great for: A cosy apartment located in a detached cottage resting on the edge of the superb lake at Windermere.
This welcoming and homely apartment is located near the village of Sawrey, on the shores of Esthwaite Water. It is here where Beatrix Potter created many of her famous characters, and her lovingly restored Hill Top home is now a popular visitor attraction, owned and run by the National Trust. This is a must-visit if you are staying at Ullswater. Head down to the water’s edge for a whole host of water sports activities including sailing, kayaking, windsurfing and paddleboarding.
For those looking to stay a little drier, there are plenty of walking paths, including the Dales Way, and cycling routes available to explore locally, all of which are great to explore with your canine companion. A short drive will take you to Windermere village and the beautiful town of Ambleside where you will find a great selection of shops, bars and restaurants.
Facilities: This newly refurbished apartment is light, airy and modern, and it provides a great place for couples or a small family to enjoy the beauty of the Lake District National Park. There is a large open-plan area with a fully fitted kitchen, dining area and sitting area. The property has all the facilities and appliances you might need during your stay, including a washing machine, freezer and tumble drier. There is also plenty of off-road parking and use of a shared garden available. It’s easy to see why we have chosen this as one of our favourite dog-friendly cottages in the area, and we’re sure you’ll love it too.
Crabtree
location: Graythwaite, Lake District national park
great for: A beautiful apartment with ground-floor living – the ideal base for exploring England’s largest lake
This wonderful two-bedroom apartment occupies the ground floor of a beautiful stone-fronted cottage nestled in the glorious 5,000-acre Graythwaite Estate on the edge of Lake Windermere, Cumbria. The active members of your party can enjoy a walk along the edge of the lake all the way to the bustling town of Bowness-on-Windermere where there is no end of activities and amenities.
With so many places to visit, there is sure to be something for everyone to enjoy nearby. You can brush up on the local history by visiting the World of Beatrix Potter, the Stott Park Bobbin Mill or the National Trust property of Hill Top. You’ll also find the pretty gardens of Graythwaite Hall nearby, offering the ideal place for a relaxed picnic with friends and family or a stroll around the stunning grounds. Additionally, there is no end to the outdoor pursuits on nearby Lake Windermere, ranging from canoeing, paddle boarding and sailing.
Facilities: This ground-floor living apartment offers attractive and comfortable interiors along with superb, shared facilities. With two bedrooms, accommodating up to 4 guests, this is the perfect property for a small group of friends or family. With a large, fully equipped kitchen, a dining area and a cosy lounge, you will have everything you would expect to find in your self-catering accommodation – including Wi-Fi, a washing machine, a woodburning stove and plenty of off-road parking.
Outside the property, you can pull into the private parking, and enjoy the enclosed patio garden that is shared with other apartments. There is plenty of garden furniture and a BBQ, so you can dine al fresco in the warmer months. There is shared use of the estate grounds and facilities too, which includes an indoor heated swimming pool, table tennis room, children’s play area and a 2.5-acre trout fishing lake. This really is the perfect dog-friendly cottage.
Book Your Next Dog-Friendly Holiday to the Lake District Today!
Whether you’re looking for a beautiful Victorian terrace house with a hot tub, a wonderful and stylish cottage in a lakeside location or a detached lodge resting deep in the beautiful Cumbrian countryside, we’ve got it all here at Breakfree Holidays. We have some of the best dog-friendly cottages to choose from. Head over to our main website for some holiday inspiration, and book your next holiday now.