After my article last year, I was asked to share some of my experiences of traveling with my dog. I love to get away at the weekend whenever I can. Sometimes my nearly grown up children come with me, sometimes they don’t, but my faithful companion is always there! To me, it’s important that we are welcome wherever we go, so the question is “Is Keswick Really Dog Friendly?”
Just so you know enough about me, I’m a male mid 50’s with a 7-year-old Labrador cross. He’s medium-sized and very sociable! This blog is entirely my own opinion and I hope my observations are accurate. Neither I (nor the blog owners) accept any responsibility as to whether the places mentioned are or are not dog friendly and always best to check beforehand.
The last time I wrote for Dogs Invited, it was when we had a lovely break away in Tenby. We’ve had weekends away together since that and recently I visited Keswick, the unofficial capital of the Northern Lakes. A tourist hotspot but how dog friendly is it?
Renting a Dog Friendly Cottage
We rented a holiday cottage, found via Dogs Invited and I must say I was very impressed. Taking my dog away is part of normal life, but the level of dog friendliness in holiday cottages does vary. Some charge extra for taking a dog, some don’t allow dogs upstairs. It really is worth taking your time and understanding what is allowed to prevent any unexpected surprises. Anyway, that’s fairly general advice but more importantly, is Keswick really dog-friendly?
Brilliant – the best word to describe the dog-friendliness of Keswick! When we went up, Keswick was still very busy. After a few minutes of walking in the town centre, it soon became very apparent that having a dog is fairly much normal here.
Where Can I Take My Dog?
In general, the only places that do not allow dogs to enter are the food stores. In my opinion, that’s to be expected. Apart from that, you can expect to be widely welcomed in most shops/establishments in the middle of Keswick.
If you’ve read my blog article on Tenby, you’ve probably worked out that I enjoy a pint. I have to say that there is definitely no shortage of pubs in Keswick which welcome dogs. Earlier in this blog post, I mentioned the level of dog friendliness in holiday cottages? Well, I feel the same applies to some of the pubs. We wouldn’t go to a pub unless it proactively advertises on its signage that dogs are welcome. However, from both my own experience and other dog owners (we do like to chat to each other don’t we?), I got the feeling that some ‘tolerate’ dogs rather than welcome them. ”No dogs in this area”, seating/tables extremely close together making it difficult to be able to sit down with a dog without encroaching on others who may or may not share your love of dogs!
There are those pubs that actively encourage dogs and their owners. They place water bowls out, free dog biscuits at the bar, and don’t worry about muddy dogs and muddy boots. Worthy of particular mention is The Dog and Gun (try the Goulash if you go there) and The Wainwright. There are several other pubs but these seemed to be popular with other owners and definitely with us.
What About Shopping with a Dog?
Shopping with your dog in Keswick, with the exception of food shopping, should not cause a problem. Many shop owners seem to positively welcome dogs and their paying owners with plenty of water bowls and dog treats. So in answer to the question, is Keswick really dog friendly for shopping, the answer would have to be YES!
As a dog owner, I find myself frustrated by the irresponsible behaviour of the minority of dog owners. Namely, those who don’t pick up after their dogs. Well, Keswick seemed nice and clean and with bins regularly placed around Keswick. There really is no excuse not to bag it and bin it.
Dog Friendly Walks
Many visitors stay in Keswick and then spend their days walking the stunning countryside which is the Lake District. We’ve been up here several times and I’d just like to share a couple of our favourite walk ideas with you. One is a fairly energetic walk from the lovely village of Glenridding up to Helvellyn. You can either take in Striding Edge or one of the less exposed routes. If you do visit Glenridding, it is worth popping into the Travellers Rest for a well-deserved pint with its roaring fires and a dog-friendly welcome.
My second recommendation is one for all abilities and whatever the weather. Start from the centre of Keswick and enjoy a circular route around the beautiful Derwentwater. This really is a lovely walk at any time of year, with plenty of photo opportunities and if you don’t fancy walking all the way, hop on one of the Launch Ferries which operate on the lake. Best to check timetables before you leave but we’ve always found them very welcoming (and free) to well-behaved dogs.
Other Dog Friendly Places to Visit
Another establishment worthy of a mention on the Derwentwater walk is The Lingholm Kitchen & Walled Garden (there is a car park opposite if you want to cheat), they have a lovely cafe which is very dog friendly and certainly most welcoming on a cold day! At the time of our visit, they even provided towels to give your dog a wipe before entering (great idea) and there is also plenty of outdoor seating if you prefer the great outdoors.
Overall Keswick is a great destination for dog owning travellers and we look forward to visiting this gem again soon.
To find dog friendly holidays in Keswick and the Lake District, take a look at www.dogsinvited.co.uk