Escape to the delightfully dog-friendly town of Keswick in the north of the Lake District National Park.
Surrounded by the northern lakes and on the shore of Derwent Water, the market town of Keswick is no stranger to affordable and cosy dog-friendly accommodation. If you prefer a cosy home over a tent or a glamping situation, there are many different varieties of dog-friendly cottages in Keswick, including traditional stone-built cottages, chalet-style cottages and terraced Victorian houses.
Dog-friendly cottages in Keswick open up a world of outdoor adventures. Head to South and Bassenthwaite Lake, the northernmost lake in the Lake District, and visit The Lakes Distillery or Back o’Skiddaw. Whinlatter Forest, also a short drive away, has mountain biking trails, a 22-mile cycling path, alpaca walking activities and a Go Ape course with Tarzan swings and zipwires. When it comes to exploring Keswick itself, the charming market town has plenty to entertain young, old, and canines. Catch a show at the Theatre by the Lake, visit the 5000-year-old Castlerigg Stone Circle, walk the three-mile loop around Derwent Water or explore the lake on a boat cruise. There are several Beatrix Potter properties around the shore of Derwent Water should you want to pick out some literary sights. Cottages in Keswick are some of the most convenient cottages in Cumbria for exploring the northern part of the Lake District, and the following holiday homes have some of the best views and facilities out there.
Our Top 8 Dog-Friendly Cottages in Keswick:
1. Windrush (Keswick, Cumbria)
2. Glaramara (Keswick, Cumbria)
3. Dovedale (Keswick, Cumbria)
4. Latrigg Cottage (Blencathra, Cumbria)
5. The Hayloft (Newlands, Cumbria)
6. Fran’s Nest (Keswick, Cumbria)
7. Number Twenty (Keswick, Cumbria)
8. Nest Barn (Keswick, Cumbria)
Windrush
Location: Keswick, Cumbria
Best for: A Lake District National Park cottage five minutes’ walk from Derwent Water
One glance out of the windows in Windrush should be enough to convince you that it is one of the most scenic dog-friendly cottages in Keswick. The views of mountains and sloping patchwork farm fields, which change colours depending upon the season, are a constant reminder of the pet-friendly cottage’s convenient location near Keswick Lake District. To be precise, Windrush is located in Portinscale, a small village just a short walk away from Keswick town centre, so it is exceptionally easy to visit Derwent Water, Keswick Museum, Castlerigg Stone Circle and the Derwent Pencil Museum.
The three-bedroom cottage is a semi-detached holiday home, and it’s a charming cottage indeed. Store mountain bikes in the garage before tearing up the tracks in Whinlatter Forest, which is under 15 minutes’ drive to the west of the holiday home. If you’re more likely to reach for your hiking boots instead, Skiddaw is only a short drive to the north of the charming cottage. If you want to visit any more excellent hiking destinations in the Lake District National Park, it should be good news that Scafell Pike and Helvellyn are accessible within half an hour’s drive of the home.
Facilities: When you’re not too busy relaxing in the fabulous three-bedroom cottage, the village of Portinscale has access to Derwent Water and a pet-friendly pub only five minutes’ walk away from the doorstep. However, you might find that you’re equally as excited about a night in, since the cottage has a stunning lawned garden with a summerhouse for evening drinks. If you’re feeling adventurous, follow the trails that begin from the doorstep of the cottage. Lazier nights can be spent beside the fireplace or brewing up something tasty in the fully self-catering kitchen.
Glaramara
Location: Keswick, Cumbria
Best for: A pine log cabin with typical Lake District scenery
Glaramara doesn’t hold back on classic Lake District scenery. The log cabin overlooks wide, open fields and a pine-covered slope. The only thing missing is the national park’s lakes. However, the closest lake, Derwent Water, is only half an hour’s walk from Burnside Caravan Park, where the pine cabin is based. The dog-friendly cottage is an excellent choice for dog owners who want to spend their quality time hiking. The cottage is at the foot of Latrigg Fell, and there are views of Skiddaw’s distant slopes too.
Whether you’re relaxing on the private terrace or taking the short walk into the bustling town centre in Keswick to dine or drink out, there should be no shortage of ways to unwind at Glaramara. You could nurse a glass of wine on the terrace while admiring Skiddaw in the distance or track down one of the dog-friendly pubs in the popular market town. Since Keswick is affectionately known as the capital of the Lakes, there’s just as much manmade entertainment as there are opportunities to explore the unparalleled natural surroundings of the northern Lake District.
Facilities: As a traditional pine lodge, Glaramara has a dreamy wooden decking, which has been specially kitted out with furniture to take in the surrounding scenery. The two bedrooms and open-plan living area are all set on the ground floor and consist of a log-effect fire, a cosy arrangement of sofas and a dining table a sociable distance away from the kitchen. Two dogs are welcome at the lodge, and any guests with young children should also be happy to find that there is also a travel cot available for their convenience.
Dovedale
Location: Keswick, Cumbria
Best for: A beautiful Victorian terrace just outside of Keswick town centre
If you want a simple and cosy stay in the company of up to two canines, Dovedale is the perfect dog-friendly holiday cottage. Located just outside of the bustling town centre, guests can conveniently descend upon the town’s many eateries and just as easily take off onto the many walking and cycling trails that surround the market town and Derwent Water. The terrace cottage has three floors, three bedrooms and a cinema room, making it extremely spacious and cosy too.
Dovedale doesn’t have an outdoor space, but that doesn’t matter when it’s so conveniently located in Keswick Lake District. The central location is a short walk from the shore of Derwent Water, where the Theatre by the Lake is located. There are also many different interesting destinations to explore around the lake, including Derwent Island and House, Alpacaly Ever After and the marina.
Facilities: Dovedale shares its name with another UK beauty spot, so it’s only natural that the property has an aesthetically-pleasing interior to match. The cosy living room has leather sofas arranged around bay windows and a central woodburning stove, and there’s a wooden dining table provided as part of the open-plan space. Treat yourself to a soak in the freestanding bathtub after a day of tackling the many different walking routes across the national park and its slopes, valleys and lakes.
Latrigg Cottage
Location: Blencathra, Cumbria
Best for: A bungalow with a spectacular Lake District view
Latrigg Cottage is the type of cottage that looks like it has been extracted from a postcard. Unlike other dog-friendly cottages in Keswick, it has a rural feel, mainly because the stone building looks down over miles of fields and colourful Lake District troughs and peaks. The charming cottage lies a short drive away from Keswick and South and Bassenthwaite Lake, so it’s significantly more peaceful than the dog-friendly cottages in Keswick town centre.
The peaceful, rural atmosphere aside, this charming cottage is also an excellent base for exploring the Lake District National Park with your four-legged friend. Local amenities such as pet-friendly pubs and eateries are a short drive away at all times, but most importantly, it’s also very easy to visit Derwent Water, Helvellyn, Thirlmere and Ullswater. Ullswater, surrounded by mountains and the second-largest lake in the Lake District, is sure to provide ample entertainment when you’re done exploring the immediate Keswick area.
Facilities: Since it is so conveniently situated above the open Lake District countryside, Latrigg Cottage has plenty of wildlife and birds visiting the property throughout the day. The highlight of the characterful cottage, however, might just be that the front garden has a gorgeous seating area arranged in a prime position to take in the country views. It’s a stylish and welcoming bungalow, with a comforting kitchen-diner and an open fireplace. Secure bike storage makes it simple to get out and explore on two wheels. After all, the scenery might just be too tempting to resist.
The Hayloft
Location: Newlands, Cumbria
Best for: A converted barn on a working farm in Newlands Valley
The Hayloft is another pet-friendly cottage with a spectacular view. The barn conversion is located on a working farm in Newlands Valley, an area which consists of imposing hills and a lush, green trough. At the same time, the cosy holiday cottage is only five miles from the market town of Keswick. Fabulous walks are accessible from the doorstep, including Newlands Horseshoe, a challenging five-mile trek over the dimpled peaks of Robinson and Dale Head.
The Hayloft has plenty to look forward to, and not just in the way of hiking. Like other cottages in Keswick and the surrounding area, it’s a short distance from dreamy Derwent Water, where the 3000 BC Castlerigg Stone Circle is located. Go wild swimming in the water or take a boat, kayak or paddleboard out to explore the lake more extensively.
Facilities: Located on a quiet Lake District farm, The Hayloft has a peaceful setting. There are two bedrooms at the property, both with super kingsize beds and access to an ensuite bathroom. Dogs can settle down for the night in the dedicated kennel on the barn’s ground floor. It’s in the same area as the bike storage, which is ideal for pedal-happy guests who want to explore the national park on two wheels. As a barn conversion, many of the original features remain part of the characterful cottage. There’s a woodburning stove, beamwork and timbered windows, for example.
Fran’s Nest
Location: Keswick, Cumbria
Best for: A stylish Georgian cottage in Keswick’s market square
Fran’s Nest is an impressive three-storey cottage with a stylish design. Sleeping six, this pet-friendly Lake District property is located in the centre of the market town of Keswick. Whether you take a boat trip over Derwent Water or spend a simple day by the water, Fran’s Nest will act as a cosy base for you and your four-legged friend.
Hike through the Bassenthwaite Lake National Nature Reserve, or head to Ullswater nearby for a gorgeous hike around the Aira Force Waterfall and its natural swimming pools. There are walking routes around the local area, or, alternatively, there are more famous cycling and walking paths just a short drive away from Fran’s Nest which can cater to particularly adventurous humans and canines. Located in the market square of Keswick, the Georgian cottage has plenty of options for visiting local pubs and restaurants, as you’re sure to be hungry following the day’s adventures.
Facilities: The fabulous three-bedroom cottage isn’t short on home comforts and modern conveniences. In the kitchen, there’s an electric oven, induction hob, microwave, fridge-freezer, dishwasher and a washer-dryer at your disposal. Take your pick between the bathtub or the shower when you return from an arduous hike. All of the beds are cosy and inviting too, with golden lamps and the occasional exposed stonework or fireplace as a reminder of the property’s Georgian roots.
Number Twenty
Location: Keswick, Cumbria
Best for: A five-bedroom cottage on the outskirts of Keswick
Knock on the door of Number Twenty and you’ll be greeted by a cosy, spacious interior suitable for six adventurers. The stylish bolthole is designed for large groups and their pets, as many of the pet friendly cottages in Keswick are too small for bigger gatherings. Surrounded by the Lake District National Park and within walking distance of the town centre of Keswick, the charming cottage lies within easy reach of lakes, mountains and many more Lake District must-visits.
Challenge yourself to tackle as many of the local Lake District walking routes as possible, or commit yourself to a getaway consisting of boat trips, watersports and hot brews in quaint on-shore cafés. With the traditional terraced house as your base, you should feel very prepared for what your Lake District explorations might bring.
Facilities: With bay windows, woodburning stoves and cosy but simplistic bedrooms, Number Twenty channels its origins as a Victorian terrace house. There’s private parking outside for four cars, which is an unusual but very handy addition for a pet-friendly terrace in the town centre. Hang up your boots and coats on the racks in the hallway, before making your way into the open-plan living space. The kitchen-diner has a farmhouse-style table where guests can gather to pour over maps or food.
Nest Barn
Location: Keswick, Cumbria
Best for: A nifty barn conversion with views of the Helvellyn Mountains
Nest Barn is a dog-friendly getaway in the Naddle Valley and the perfect base for dog owners to explore the Lake District National Park’s many mountains, lakes and market towns. With views of the Helvellyn Mountains from the holiday home, it will be difficult to forget the many hikes that await in the local area. Pop out to the local dog-friendly pubs for a bite to eat before tackling the slopes.
Keswick is a short, five-minute drive from Nest Barn, which means that guests get the best of both worlds: a peaceful rural position on a green hilltop with shops, restaurants and pubs just a short drive away. Dogs will have plenty of space to let off steam too, as there’s a garden handily situated just outside of the barn conversion too.
Facilities: Dine and cook under the beams of the converted barn, and once you’re satisfied, head upstairs to the mezzanine level, where skylights let in natural sunlight and a Smart TV awaits to entertain those who decide to sink into the leather sofas. With a modern bathroom and two well-appointed bedrooms, Nest Barn is a cosy holiday cottage with a peaceful rural spot and plenty going for it.
Book Your Next Break with Breakfree Holidays
Whether you choose to stay in one of the above dog-friendly cottages in Keswick or to widen your search to other pet-friendly Lake District cottages, Breakfree Holidays has a handy selection of pet-friendly cottages in Cumbria to suit all different tastes.