There are few places as suited to taking a break with your canine companion than the Lake District. Bursting with beautiful walks to suit dogs of all sizes, breeds and temperaments, from your couple of miles corgi to your marathon Malamute, this picturesque national park is a brilliant choice for a dog friendly holiday.
We know that travelling with man’s best friend can be tricky, which is why all of the YHA’s Lake District campsites welcome well behaved dogs. And if you like your bank holiday break or summer vacation to provide a little more chic than your average under-canvas camping trip we have plenty of glamping options too, with luxury camping pods, beautiful bell tents and even a few tipis on offer.
Rydal Water dog walks and Grasmere tipi glamping
One of the Lake District’s smallest lakes, just three quarters of a mile in length, Rydal Water is nonetheless one of the most picturesque. Home to Wordsworth’s Seat, reputedly the famous poet’s favourite Lake District spot, Rydal Water offers gentle walks and some of the region’s most stunning views. A short stroll around the lake takes in Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage (no dogs allowed) and Rydal Mount, with its dog friendly garden (although resident cat, Dora, isn’t a fan of off-leash canine visitors), as well as Rydal Cave.
For pooches who prefer a longer wander, a seven mile circular promenade from Ambleside passes Rydal as well as Grasmere and Loughrigg Tarn, with its spectacular views towards the Langdale Pikes. Other local dog days out include the spectacular Stock Ghyll Force, a short walk from Ambleside with its many pup friendly pubs and cafes – we like the lakeside Wateredge Inn for a pint and a doggy paddle. Another Wordsworth property, now belonging to the National Trust, Allan Bank is home to beautiful woodland strolls with red squirrels and fantastic fungi to be spotted while walking your good boy.
Just two minutes from the centre of Grasmere, YHA Grasmere Butharlyp Howe is an ideal glamping spot, with both land pods and tipis offering cosy camping for you and your dog. With beds provided, LED lighting in situ and access to clean, comfortable bathrooms as well as the hostel’s indoor facilities, camping in Grasmere is fun and fuss-free.
Get lost in the forest and bunk down in a bell tent at YHA Hawkshead
If you’ve ever dreamt of spending the night in a tipi, YHA Hawkshead is just the place to do it. This dog friendly campsite is situated in the heart of the Lake District’s Beatrix Potter country, with easy access to the nearby Beatrix Potter museum. With a wide range of glamping options, including all mod cons tipis for four, cosy camping pods and huge bell tents that can sleep up to five people, in addition to rustic camping cabins, this YHA property has something for every camper.
The perfect spot for a holiday with your pup, Hawkshead is surrounded by beautiful walks that will keep even the most restless dog happy. Take a meander around the pretty Esthwaite Water, a trout-stocked lake with organised fishing trips– dogs welcome (some guides even bring their own along) –available through the fishery. Then stop in at The Boathouse Café for a hot chocolate or a bacon butty to share.
Not far from your home away from home you’ll also find Grizedale Forest, one of the Lake District’s most popular dog walking spots. With over 6000 acres of hills and tarns to explore, as well as a sculpture trail and plenty of wildlife watching opportunities, this spectacular Forestry England-run woodland offers both long and short walks for all abilities and is large enough that you’ll even find space for wild roaming with nervous puppers.
Wilderness wanders and not-so-wild luxury camping at Borrowdale
Not all dogs love to be social and with miles and miles of walks and acres upon acres of publicly accessible countryside, the Lake District is the perfect place for your family friend to get away from it all. A recommended stop on Wainwright’s 190 mile long Coast-to-Coast, YHA Borrowdale provides hikers and holidaymakers with an affordable place to stay in beautifully bucolic surroundings. No need to bring your own tent, YHA Borrowdale ups the comfort stakes with furnished land pods for a family of four and cosy camping pods for two, both suitable for doggy guests.
Just a short drive– or a long walk –from the hostel you’ll find the breath-taking Mickleden Valley. Popular with dog walkers, this huge wilderness allows you to be alone with your thoughts and your dog, who can enjoy a rare walk with minimal interest from other pets. Relatively flat compared to other trails in the area, a jaunt through Mickleden Valley takes in glacial moraines and Cumbrian juniper trees as well as those classic Lake District views.
Feeling adventurous? Tog up and bring some poles for a dog friendly scramble up Eagle Crag, which can be combined with Sergeant’s Crag if you’re feeling especially capable. A challenging few miles, this walk is suitable for dogs that are, well, as fit as a butcher’s. Just remember to take plenty of water and a travel bowl plus a good supply of treats for good boys and girls who reach the summit.
Exploring Beatrix Potter country and dog friendly glamping in Coniston
It’s easy to see how the area between Coniston and Windermere inspired beloved children’s author Beatrix Potter. As well as the spacious Mickleden Valley (see Borrowdale, above), this area is home to numerous other wonderful wanders ideal for staycations with your dog. One popular local wander is a circular walk around the tree-lined Tarn Hows, part of a beautiful designed landscape and an SSSI welcoming to dogs on leads. Nearby, Yew Tree Tarn is another picturesque waterside walk, incomplete without a stop at Herdwick’s Café and Bistro where dogs can refresh themselves with canine-friendly ice cream and other treats.
Walking isn’t the only activity open to dog owners around Coniston. What’s a Lake District trip without getting out on the water? The Coniston Boating Centre provides visitors with a whole host of ways to enjoy the third largest lake in the region, including rowing boats, canoes and paddle boards. Dogs are welcomed provided you’re confident caring for them out there on the waves.
Drying off and getting warm isn’t always easy when you’re camping but stay in one of YHA Coniston Holly How’s top notch tipis and you’ll be cosy in no time. Not only are these comfortable glamping tipis furnished with carpeted floors and waterproof beanbags, each one is heated with a wood burner, perfect for your furry friend to snuggle in front of after a busy day out in nature.
Luxury dog friendly stays at YHA Helvellyn
Can’t resist the peaks of the Lake District? Situated 963ft up one of the UK’s highest peaks, YHA Helvellyn is a great base for adventurers and their canine companions. Though rugged, this hostel doesn’t scrimp on amenities. Land pods make sleeping under the stars a much more welcoming prospect, with space for two adults and two children (plus Rover) all in a waterproof structure designed for cosiness in any weather. With a BBQ outside each pod, self-catering is easy, just pick up some delicious ingredients from one of the many local producers situated in surrounding villages.
Aside from a steep walk up Helvellyn itself- perfectly doable with a capable dog -this part of the Lake District is one of the best choices for adventurers who aren’t afraid to don a pair of sturdy shoes and scramble to soak in a view. The famed Striding Edge is just an hour and a half’s walk from your hostel base and can be taken in in combination with a hike to the summit of Helvellyn if you have the stamina. Meanwhile the often quiet St. Sunday Crag and Place Fell are slightly less challenging options for keen walkers who want to get away from the crowds that can descend- or should we say ascend -on Helvellyn during peak holidays.
Dog friendly glamping in the Lake District with YHA
We know that dogs are part of the family, which is why your best friend is welcome to join you at any of YHA’s Lake District camping properties at a charge of just £5 per night in addition to our usual human being charge.
As well as those hostels listed above, YHA Eskdale and YHA Buttermere provide the option of land pod stays, a more comfortable and far easier alternative to traditional family camping with no need to fight a soggy tent back into its bag at the end of your stay. Meanwhile YHA Windermere, situated a short walk from England’s largest and most famous lake, offers true glamping, with kitted-out tipis and bell tents available for dog friendly stays with a touch of class.
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Photo credit: lyudmilka_n / Adobe Stock
