Dog-friendly The Western Lakes

Pub SOME LIMITS

Brook House Inn

Boot

VERIFIED 29 JUL 2026 VIEW ›

A walkers inn at the entrance to Boot, with a bar known for its whisky shelf and the Eskdale Mill path over the bridge. Dogs are allowed in the bar and the snug only: they are not allowed in the bedrooms at all, which is the opposite of most Eskdale inns and worth knowing before you book.

In the bar

Blacksmith's Arms

Broughton Mills

Blacksmith's Arms is a pub in Broughton Mills. It is listed here so you know it is there, but we have not yet established whether dogs are welcome — so there is no verdict on this page and no stamp. If it is your business, claim the page and tell us, and we will stamp it.

Bower House Inn

Eskdale Green · CA19 1TD

Bower House Inn is a pub in Eskdale Green. It is listed here so you know it is there, but we have not yet established whether dogs are welcome — so there is no verdict on this page and no stamp. If it is your business, claim the page and tell us, and we will stamp it.

Bridge Inn

Santon Bridge · CA19 1UX

Bridge Inn is a pub in Santon Bridge. It is listed here so you know it is there, but we have not yet established whether dogs are welcome — so there is no verdict on this page and no stamp. If it is your business, claim the page and tell us, and we will stamp it.

Brown Cow Inn

Waberthwaite · LA19 5YJ

Brown Cow Inn is a pub on Lane End, Waberthwaite. It is listed here so you know it is there, but we have not yet established whether dogs are welcome — so there is no verdict on this page and no stamp. If it is your business, claim the page and tell us, and we will stamp it.

Devonshire Hotel

Millom

Devonshire Hotel is a pub in Millom. It is listed here so you know it is there, but we have not yet established whether dogs are welcome — so there is no verdict on this page and no stamp. If it is your business, claim the page and tell us, and we will stamp it.

Pubs in Ravenglass Pubs in Millom Pubs in Boot Pubs in Broughton in Furness Pubs in Gosforth Pubs in Seascale Pubs in Wasdale Head Pubs in Nether Wasdale Pubs in Eskdale Green Pubs in Santon Bridge Pubs in Silecroft Pubs in Beckermet Pubs in Calder Bridge Pubs in Drigg Pubs in Haverigg Pubs in Broughton Mills Pubs in The Green Pubs in Waberthwaite

Restaurants & cafés · 22

Restaurant SOME LIMITS

1876 Dalegarth Station Cafe

Boot · CA19 1TF

In the dining room Water bowls

The refurbished cafe at Dalegarth for Boot, at the Eskdale end of the fifteen-inch gauge line, serving lunches, snacks and ice cream to walkers coming off Stanley Ghyll and the Esk path. Dogs are allowed on the lower floor but not upstairs, where Wakefield's afternoon tea room is, so the ground-floor seating and the platform are the places to sit. There are toilets and a large pay-and-display car park here, which makes it the practical starting point for most Eskdale walks. Water bowls are set out around the station.

Restaurant SOME LIMITS

1876 Ravenglass Station Cafe

Ravenglass · CA18 1SW

In the dining room Water bowls

The railway's cafe on platform one at Ravenglass, doing light meals, snacks, ice cream and hot drinks between trains. The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway's own visitor information permits dogs on the lower floor of its station cafes, which here is the whole seating area, and there are water bowls marked "paws for a drink" around the station. Dogs must be on a short lead. It is the obvious first or last stop of a day on the line, and the estuary and the Roman bath house are five minutes' walk away.

Beswicks

Broughton in Furness

Beswicks is a place to eat in Broughton in Furness. It is listed here so you know it is there, but we have not yet established whether dogs are welcome — so there is no verdict on this page and no stamp. If it is your business, claim the page and tell us, and we will stamp it.

Bettys Beach Hut

Haverigg · LA18 4ER

Bettys Beach Hut is a place to eat on Sea View, Haverigg. It is listed here so you know it is there, but we have not yet established whether dogs are welcome — so there is no verdict on this page and no stamp. If it is your business, claim the page and tell us, and we will stamp it.

Broughton Village Bakery

Broughton in Furness

Broughton Village Bakery is a place to eat in Broughton in Furness. It is listed here so you know it is there, but we have not yet established whether dogs are welcome — so there is no verdict on this page and no stamp. If it is your business, claim the page and tell us, and we will stamp it.

Clocktower

Millom

Clocktower is a place to eat in Millom. It is listed here so you know it is there, but we have not yet established whether dogs are welcome — so there is no verdict on this page and no stamp. If it is your business, claim the page and tell us, and we will stamp it.

Restaurants & cafés in Ravenglass Restaurants & cafés in Millom Restaurants & cafés in Boot Restaurants & cafés in Broughton in Furness Restaurants & cafés in Gosforth Restaurants & cafés in Seascale Restaurants & cafés in Nether Wasdale Restaurants & cafés in Santon Bridge Restaurants & cafés in Silecroft Restaurants & cafés in Drigg Restaurants & cafés in Haverigg Restaurants & cafés in Bootle Restaurants & cafés in Dalegarth Restaurants & cafés in The Hill

Walks · 17

1.7 MI · OUT & BACK

Buckbarrow above Wast Water from Greendale

Nether Wasdale

1.7MILES

1:50TIME

340mCLIMB

75%OFF-ROAD

A short, sharp climb of about 340 metres from the Greendale roadside onto the rocky southern nose of Buckbarrow, the crag that everybody photographs from the Wast Water road without knowing its name. The path leaves the road near Gill Beck and goes almost straight up through bracken and broken rock bands to the 423-metre top, so it is steep rather than long and a fit dog will manage it easily while a short-legged one will not enjoy the rock steps. The reward is the whole of Wast Water, the Screes and the Scafells from a top most people drive past. It is grazed fell throughout, with Herdwicks on the lower bracken slopes all year.

5 MI · OUT & BACK

Burnmoor Tarn by the old coffin road from Boot

Boot · CA19 1TG

5MILES

3:00TIME

290mCLIMB

Five miles there and back on the corpse road that Wasdale Head once used to carry its dead over the fell to St Catherine's in Eskdale, before it had a churchyard of its own. The track leaves Boot behind Eskdale Mill, climbs steadily up the west side of Whillan Beck onto Eskdale Moor and drops to Burnmoor Tarn at 252 metres, a big shallow sheet of water with Illgill Head behind it and the ruin of Burnmoor Lodge on the shore. The going is a broad grass and stone track the whole way, which makes it one of the few Eskdale fell routes a dog can do without scrambling. It is all grazed common with Herdwicks on it and the National Trust asks for a short lead throughout Eskdale.

1.2 MI · LOOP

Giggle Alley and the Japanese Garden, Eskdale Green

Eskdale Green · CA19 1TZ

1.2MILES

45mTIME

95mCLIMB

Off-lead allowed

A little over a mile of easy woodland paths in a Forestry England wood on the hillside directly above Eskdale Green, with the remains of an Edwardian Japanese garden hidden in the middle of it: stone lanterns, a dry stream bed, clipped acers and a great deal of rhododendron, cleared and replanted by volunteers. The paths zigzag up through larch and beech and loop back, so it works as a half hour before the pub or an hour with a slow dog. There is no livestock and no through road, which makes it one of the few places in Eskdale where a dog can be off the lead if it recalls reliably. Forestry England's dog code asks you to keep a dog close and in sight and to use a lead if it does not always come back when called.

3.5 MI · LOOP

Greendale Tarn and Middle Fell above Wast Water

Nether Wasdale

3.5MILES

3:00TIME

520mCLIMB

Three and a half miles from the roadside at Greendale Cottages, up the gill past a string of rock pools to Greendale Tarn and round over the 585-metre summit of Middle Fell. It is the quiet side of Wasdale: the Scafell crowds are all in the next valley, and from the top the whole length of Wast Water and the Screes is laid out below, with the Isle of Man visible on a clear evening. Greendale Tarn sits in a deep hollow and is a good place for a dog to cool off. The National Trust rates this a dog-friendly trail but asks for dogs under close control, and its Wasdale guidance asks for a short lead throughout the valley because there is sheep on the fell and in the intake fields.

1.3 MI · OUT & BACK

Hardknott Roman Fort from Jubilee Bridge

Boot · CA19 1TH

1.3MILES

1:10TIME

130mCLIMB

A mile and a bit there and back, climbing 130 metres from the little car park at Jubilee Bridge at the foot of Hardknott Pass to the walls of Mediobogdum, the Roman fort that sits on a shelf 250 metres above the Esk with the whole of Eskdale laid out west of it. The path is grass and stone and steep in places but short, and you can walk the full circuit of the fort walls, the headquarters building and the commandant's house before dropping back. There is no shelter and no water on the way up. It is grazed fell, with Herdwicks around the fort itself, and the National Trust asks for a short lead throughout Eskdale.

10.6 MI · LOOP

Illgill Head and Whin Rigg above the Wast Water screes

Wasdale · CA20 1EX

10.6MILES

5:48TIME

700mCLIMB

88%OFF-ROAD

VERIFIED 29 JUL 2026 VIEW WALK ›

Ten and a half miles, 700 metres of ascent and close to six hours: the Burnmoor track out of Wasdale Head, then the whole grassy crest above the screes over Illgill Head and Whin Rigg, dropping to the lake foot and returning by the road. It starts at the National Trust car park at Wasdale Head, which is free to members, holds around 40 cars and empties into one single-track road with a fourteen-mile drive out to the coast. Understand what this route is and is not - the ridge itself is broad grass and safe walking for a fit dog, but the shoreline Screes path below is a mile of unstable boulders that no dog should be taken along, and the ridge edge above the gullies is unfenced with a 400-metre drop; leads the whole crest, and no water at all between Burnmoor and the lake.

Missing a walk?

Walked something better? Send us the route and it goes on the map.

ADD A WALK

Walks in Ravenglass Walks in Millom Walks in Boot Walks in Broughton in Furness Walks in Gosforth Walks in Seascale Walks in Wasdale Walks in Wasdale Head Walks in Nether Wasdale Walks in Eskdale Green Walks in Silecroft Walks in Seathwaite

Stays · 61

Stay SOME LIMITS

1692 Wasdale

Gosforth · CA20 1EW

A bed and breakfast in a seventeenth-century farmhouse at Bolton Head, on the lane between Gosforth and Nether Wasdale, ten minutes from the foot of Wast Water and half an hour from Wasdale Head. Its own site states that dogs are welcome in three of the bedrooms, which is the only published bedroom dog policy in Gosforth parish. No charge is published, so agree it when you book. It is a useful fallback when Wasdale Head is full, which it is most summer weekends.

Stay SOME LIMITS

Bell Tent Glamping at Muncaster Castle

Ravenglass · CA18 1RQ

A small glamping site of five-metre canvas bell tents pitched in a wooded corner of the seventy-seven acre Muncaster gardens, each sleeping up to four. Two well-behaved dogs are welcome for an additional charge, but the estate is surrounded by working farmland and asks for dogs on a lead at all times on site. Staying here puts the whole garden and the terrace walk on the doorstep, though dogs are still barred from the castle state rooms and the Hawk and Owl Centre. Ravenglass, the estuary and the railway terminus are a mile down the hill.

Bailey Ground Hotel

Seascale · CA20 1NP

Bailey Ground Hotel is a place to stay on Drigg Road, Seascale. It is listed here so you know it is there, but we have not yet established whether dogs are welcome — so there is no verdict on this page and no stamp. If it is your business, claim the page and tell us, and we will stamp it.

Bank House Farm

Hallthwaites · LA18 5JU

Bank House Farm is a place to stay in Hallthwaites. It is listed here so you know it is there, but we have not yet established whether dogs are welcome — so there is no verdict on this page and no stamp. If it is your business, claim the page and tell us, and we will stamp it.

Banklands

Ravenglass

Explore the heart of Cumbria with a stay in the Eskdale valley a Lakeland hidden gem with a traditional steam railway and an abundance of unforgettable scenery to take in. Take a ride on the steam train known locally as the La al Ratty and take in stunning views from the coastal town of Ravenglass (5 miles) and the nearby village of Boot (2.5 miles). Venture further inland to tackle some of the Lake District s most impressive fells namely Scafell Pike which lies just 9 miles away. Further beauty spots in this national park can also be found just a short drive away with Windermere (20.5 miles) Keswick (20 miles) and Ambleside (16.5 miles) all worth a day trip in the car. Lovingly presented with traditional stained-glass windows original fireplaces and high ceilings this holiday home truly is a standout addition to the area. On arrival you ll find a handy porch with gives way to a boot room and utility room. With washing machine tumble dryer and a sink this valuable space will come in handy when returning from your adventures. Venture into the pretty kitchen which has a farmhouse style and abundance of space for cooking. It is equipped with a fridge/freezer electric Range cooker with gas hob microwave and dishwasher. You ll also find the dining table in here with a cosy wood burner close by along with underfloor heating throughout the entire ground floor. Also on the ground floor is a sitting room with an additional wood burner a cosy spot for evenings in. Here you ll find a TV/DVD and PlayStation which will no doubt keep guests of all ages entertained. Completing this floor is a ground floor shower room with WC. Head onto the first floor via the ornate staircase to discover three inviting bedrooms all of which are flooded with light thanks to traditional windows. The first bedroom is a king-size with a beautifully tiled feature fireplace and fells views from three windows whilst the second bedroom is a super-king-size which can be made up as a twin on request. Finally a third bedroom is a cosy double with built-in wardrobes. A charming family bathroom completes the property. Here you ll find additional underfloor heating with WC roll-top bath and separate shower a welcome addition after long days of outdoor activity. Step outside to make full use of the glorious garden space benefiting from far-reaching views across the Eskdale valley. A lawn space with garden furniture offers the chance for al fresco dining whilst an outdoor dog shower (with warm running water) ensures that muddy paw prints are kept outside of the property. Need to know: 3 bedrooms 1 king size, 1 super king size zip and link (can be made into a twin on request), 1 double. 2 bathrooms 1 with bath, shower and WC, 1 with shower and WC . Fridge/freezer, electric Range cooker with gas hob and double oven, dishwasher, microwave. Utility room with washing machine, tumble dryer and sink. 2 wood burners (initial supply of logs included). Underfloor heating to ground floor and first floor bathroom. Smart TV with Sky. Towels not included. Enclosed garden with furniture and outdoor dog shower. Off road parking 250 yards from the property for 2 3 cars. Trolley provided to transport luggage from the parking area, up the grass path to the property. Torch recommended if arriving after dark. Pub 500 metres, Shop 0.5 miles. Please note that every years the Christmas break is 7 nights from 21st December & New Year from 28th December .

Broughton in Furness · LA20 6DF

Blacksmiths Cottage

Blacksmiths Cottage is a place to stay on Thornthwaite, Broughton in Furness. It is listed here so you know it is there, but we have not yet established whether dogs are welcome — so there is no verdict on this page and no stamp. If it is your business, claim the page and tell us, and we will stamp it.

Attractions · 2

Attraction SOME LIMITS

Muncaster Castle

Ravenglass · CA18 1RQ

VERIFIED 29 JUL 2026 VIEW ›

A lived-in castle above the Esk estuary with seventy acres of wild woodland garden, a hawk and owl centre and terrace views to the Scafells. Dogs go free in the gardens provided they are on a lead and cleaned up after, and there is a separate doggy seating area for the bird of prey displays; the Castle state rooms and the Hawk and Owl Centre are out of bounds.

Attraction SOME LIMITS

Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway

Ravenglass · CA18 1SW

The fifteen-inch gauge line, known locally as La'al Ratty, runs seven miles up from the estuary at Ravenglass to Dalegarth for Boot at the head of Eskdale, and it takes dogs the whole way for a flat fare. Dogs are allowed on the trains, in the ticket offices and gift shops, and on the lower floors of both the Turntable Cafe at Ravenglass and Fellbites at Dalegarth, but not in the Joan Pullman observation carriage, First Class carriage 140 or the Ruth director's saloon. Water bowls marked "paws for a drink" are set out around both terminals. Most of the open carriages are unglazed, so a wet dog and a wet walker dry out at much the same rate.

Water bowls