With a dog-friendly lodge in the Lake District as your base, there’s no limit to the number of hikes, bicycle rides and boat trips you can encounter on England’s luscious lake landscape.
Located in Cumbria, the UK Lake District has become almost synonymous with outdoor activities and a wide selection of traditional log cabins. Lodges are some of the most desirable pet-friendly cottages in the Lake District, and it’s easy to see why, when so many come with hot tubs, a private decking or a magnificent mountain or lake view.
Whether you hole down in a beautiful lodge in a holiday park on the shores of Lake Windermere or choose to stay in a quaint log cabin in a market town in the wider Lake District National Park area, humans and four-legged friends should be equally as pleased as each other. Outdoor enthusiasts can hike their canine companion on some of England’s greatest walking routes, before warming up by the open fire in one of the national park’s many traditional pet-friendly pubs. A holiday park-based log cabin has many benefits for families and dog owners too, as the on-site facilities often include enclosed playgrounds, dog-friendly restaurants, children’s entertainment and access to wonderfully unique walking routes. The following dog-friendly lodges have central locations in and around the Lake District National Park, including coveted spots on the shores of Lake Windermere or a short drive from the north lakes and Coniston Water.
The Top 6 Dog-Friendly Cottages in the Lake District:
1. Parkdean Resorts White Cross Bay (Windermere, Cumbria)
2. Haven Lakeland (Flookburgh, Cumbria)
3. Parkdean Resorts Fallbarrow (Windermere, Cumbria)
4. Parkdean Resorts Ocean Edge (Heysham, Lancashire)
5. Pippin Lodge (Cartmel, Cumbria)
6. Parkdean Resorts Limefitt Park (Windermere, Cumbria)
Parkdean Resorts White Cross Bay
Location: Windermere, Cumbria
Best for: A rare dog-friendly log cabin getaway on Lake Windermere
Preparing to set off to Lake Windermere, the largest natural lake in the Lake District and England? Located on the eastern shores of the lake just outside of the village of Troutbeck Bridge, Parkdean Resorts White Cross Bay is in a prime position for activities such as kayaking, taking historic boat trips and hiking all 45 kilometres of the trail around the Windermere shoreline. Dog owners may be looking for a variety of dog-friendly activities in the immediate surroundings of their chosen log cabin, and handily, the wonderful lodge options at Parkdean Resorts White Cross Bay are surrounded by scenic walking routes. With dog friendly on-site facilities available too, there’s little lacking for the ultimate pet-friendly Lake District getaway.
What might a day involve when you stay in one of the dog-friendly cottages at Parkdean Resorts White Cross Bay? You might arrange to go kayaking on Windermere with the Windermere Outdoor Adventure Centre or drive northwards to embark on a steamboat tour or a hike to the Stock Ghyll Waterfall near Ambleside, keeping an eye out for peregrine falcon and roe deer on the way. Around Windermere, there are tourist attractions such as the Windermere Jetty Museum and The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction too.
Facilities: Luxury lodge holidays at Parkdean Resorts White Cross Bay have a wide range of perks, from access to the private mooring on Lake Windermere to lakeside lodge locations and luxury features such as a private hot tub. Families with children can always fall back on the entertainment which runs during the school summer holidays, while the adults get away and pamper themselves at the spa located alongside the park’s indoor swimming pool. The Boathouse Bar & Restaurant takes away any hassle of having to track down a suitable place to dine in the evening, although if you wish to take on the adventure, there are plenty of pubs that stock tasty fare and dog treats a short drive away, including those in beautiful Bowness on Windermere.
Haven Lakeland
Location: Flookburgh, Cumbria
Best for: A dog-friendly holiday park with a lake in the south of the national park
The southern part of the Lake District isn’t just a top region for spending days out on Lake Windermere or Coniston Water. Sandy beaches, fells, nature reserves and estuaries are all ready for you and your four-legged friend to explore from the dog-friendly holiday cottages at Haven Lakeland. The dog-friendly holiday park is located in the lovely village of Flookburgh, which is a small but quaint place just 20 minutes’ drive away from the southern end of Lake Windermere.
A dog-friendly log cabin break at Haven Lakeland might involve a morning brew followed by a quick trip to the nearby Grange-Over-Sands Beach or Aldingham Beach. You might decide to dedicate a day to hiking instead, in which case popular Lake District footpaths such as Tarns Hows Lake, Old Man Coniston and Grasmere to Helm’s Crag bid to take your attention.
Facilities: One of the best parts about Haven Lakeland is that there’s a watersports centre with kayaks, canoes, paddleboards and pedalos for hire on-site. The lake is the focal point of the park, and this is reflected in the Marina Bar and Stage entertainment venue too, which adds some live action into the evenings. Family-friendly facilities are on-hand to cater to even the most restless of kids, including a foot golf and miniature golf course, a pottery studio, a ranger who runs den building Bear Grylls style, and an archery centre.
Parkdean Resorts Fallbarrow
Location: Windermere, Cumbria
Best for: Bowness on Windermere log cabins suitable for a break with a furry friend
Based in Bowness on Windermere, Parkdean Resorts Fallbarrow has a spectacular spot on the shore of Lake Windermere. It’s not often that you’ll find dog-friendly cottages with such a unique lake view, let alone a peaceful wooded parkland setting where dogs can trace all kinds of different scents. Dog and family in tow, take off onto the trails that surround Windermere or head further afield for walks at Gummer’s How, Orrest Head, Stockghyll Force or Wansfell Pike.
Bowness on Windermere is a lively town, surrounded by national park bridleways and walking routes. The ideal base for steamship trips and watersports, it’s easy to get to and from all the different sides of the lake from the dedicated marina too. For foodies, there is no shortage of pet-friendly pubs, diners and bars for a relaxed brunch, pub lunch or a feel-good dinner. Literary fans can get their fix at the World of Beatrix Potter too.
Facilities: With so many different bars and food spots surrounding the holiday park, it’s always good to have on-site facilities that add an extra few food choices. The Barn Deli and Café brings fresh snacks to your doorstep, so all that’s left is to put aside the crumbs for your four-legged friend. The Willow Bar and Restaurant is on-hand for tipples and heartier meals, should you want something more substantial. If you’re also looking for somewhere to convene for easy entertainment, there’s occasionally live music and entertainment on the holiday park, and failing that, kids should love the outdoor playground and amusement arcade. The park’s quaint log cabin designs come with a range of different features, from private hot tubs to lake views and an enclosed garden.
Parkdean Resorts Ocean Edge
Location: Heysham, Lancashire
Best for: A holiday park within driving distance of the Lake District National Park
The dog-friendly cottages at Parkdean Resorts Ocean Edge do not disappoint when it comes to accessing some of Cumbria’s best lakes and beaches. The holiday park has a log cabin range positioned right in front of the Irish Sea, meaning that the choices for a relaxing swim extend not just to the beach 10 minutes’ drive away but also to the heated indoor swimming pool on the holiday park. Fully equipped with self-catering kitchen facilities, putting together a beach picnic or a packed lunch for a day out in the Lake District will be as easy as ABC.
Location-wise, Parkdean Resorts Ocean Edge has a slight edge over the other dog-friendly cottages in the round-up if you can’t decide between a break by the beach or the lakes. As well as being within driving distance of the Lake District National Park, it is located just north of the seaside resort of Morecambe and Heysham. In Morecambe, walk the full length of the promenade on your afternoon dog walk, ice cream cone in hand. The picturesque village of Heysham has Anglo-Viking sites, rockpools, sandy coves and woodlands for dogs and humans to explore from their log cabin.
Facilities: There are many ways to spend a day from the dog-friendly cottages at Parkdean Resorts Ocean Edge. When you’re not exploring the nearby Lake District National Park or detouring to the nearby seaside towns, bring your chef’s hat to the fully equipped kitchen or make the most of having an indoor swimming pool within walking distance of your doorstep. The dog-friendly cottages at the holiday park extend to caravans, but the luxury lodges are some of their most stunning dog-friendly cottages, with verandas, a hot tub and extra-wide living spaces adding extra luxury to your stay depending upon the package you select.
Pippin Lodge
Location: Cartmel, Cumbria
Best for: A hidden gem just south of the Lake District National Park
Located just south of the Lake District National Park, Pippin Lodge is a particularly convenient place for a pet-friendly getaway, as it’s just a short drive away from a tempting combination of lakes, fells and beaches. With a raised decking and a bushy front, the dog-friendly lodge already ticks boxes in terms of aesthetics. Designed for just two guests, it also brings the low-key romance needed for a couples’ retreat. Tuck into a romantic homecooked dinner in front of the woodburning stove or take your bicycles and your pooch into the surrounding rural landscapes for peaceful bike rides together.
The Lake District National Park is your oyster from Pippin Lodge, thanks to the lodge’s convenient location. However, when you feel like staying close to your homely abode, there are 26 acres of woodlands on the lodge site, which is named Pastures Park. Dog walks, therefore, are already sorted, even if your pet needs walking right before bed or first thing in the morning after a sausage sandwich.
Facilities: Climb the decking up to Pippin Lodge and you’ll find that there are two chairs poised for sharing a sunset glass of wine or mid-morning tea and shortbread. The patio doors swing open into a cosy living space, where the show-stealers come in the form of a wide smart TV and a woodburning stove. The open-plan design means that one half can recline on the sofa while the other sets about cooking over the stove. A welcoming bedroom and an ensuite round off the compact but cosy lodge, which comes with its own private parking for easy access to beaches and the lakes.
Parkdean Resorts Limefitt Park
Location: Windermere, Cumbria
Best for: A scenic stay in the Troutbeck Valley with fishing on-site
With a river on one side and mountains on the other, Parkdean Resorts Limefitt Park is a real hidden gem in the Lake District National Park. There aren’t too many dog-friendly cottages in the Lake District that can say that they have a private decking in the Troutbeck Valley or trout, salmon and sea trout angling on site. To top things off, the peaceful dog-friendly holiday park is only a short drive from Ambleside; technically, it’s within walking distance if you’re willing to take your four-legged friend on a long wander through the national park.
As a rural base, Parkdean Resorts Limefitt Park is sure to get its guests in the spirit of adventure. There are plenty of walking routes that depart from the park grounds, as well as activity centres along the shores of Windermere or Coniston Water within a short drive of your log cabin. Horse rides through the Troutbeck Valley can be booked directly at the dog-friendly holiday park too; wildlife watchers are sure to appreciate this activity option.
Facilities: The luxury lodges at Parkdean Resorts will bring you back to the simple things, like relaxing with a glass of red on the decking and watching the sunset turn the sky red or taking a well-deserved dip in your hot tub while the dog makes laps around the enclosed garden. Nursing local ale by an open fire is also on the cards, as the holiday park has a country pub named Haybarn Inn. If you’re lucky, you might catch an osprey gliding overhead while you sip on your drink.
Experience the Best of Pet-Friendly Breaks with Breakfree Holidays
If you’re yet to find the perfect match for your Lake District Holiday, Breakfree Holidays has plenty of additional dog-friendly lodges with varied locations in the national park and a range of features such as enclosed gardens, hot tubs and barbecues.
Please note that some of the images in this blog post have been provided by Sykes Cottages.