Luxury Lake District Cottages Dog Friendly:
I didn’t realise just how much I needed our last Lake District break until we arrived. The car was unpacked, the kettle was on, and our dog was already investigating every corner of the cottage garden while we stood there smiling at each other. That first deep breath of countryside air is always the moment when everyday life finally switches off.
We’ve stayed in a lot of places over the years, but nothing compares to having your own cottage. No busy lobbies, no shared walls, just peace, privacy and the feeling that, for a few days at least, the world has slowed down for you.
If you’re planning a romantic break and don’t want to leave your dog behind, I promise the Lake District is one of the most rewarding places you can choose.
Hotels can be lovely, but they rarely give you that sense of “home away from home”. In a cottage, you’re not just visiting – you’re living there for a while. You shop in the local village, plan your own walks, cook together in the evenings and wake up whenever you like.
One of my favourite memories is from a cold autumn weekend when we stayed in a little stone cottage just outside Ambleside. It had a wood burner and a small patio overlooking the fells. We spent the days exploring, then came back, poured some wine and listened to the wind while the dog slept at our feet in front of hte fire. It was simple, but it was perfect.
At the top of a very long but Beautiful walk!
After years of trial and error, these are the things that really make a difference.
A hot tub under the stars, a roll-top bath or a super-comfortable king-size bed can transform a weekend away into something genuinely special. We once booked a cottage with a private hot tub overlooking a valley and I still think about that view every time I see the photos.
Paddock House The Lake District
We don’t want to feel like we’re sneaking the dog in. The best dog-friendly cottages we’ve stayed in had secure gardens, easy access to walks and even little touches like dog bowls by the door.
Morning walks straight from the cottage, muddy paws wiped off at the threshold, then all of us back inside for breakfast – that’s what a proper dog-friendly stay feels like. Below are a few of our dog friendly properties available in the Lakes.
The Old Bunkhouse Pet Friendly in the Lakes
Crozier Cottage in The Lake District Cumbria
Thorney How in Grasmere also allow pets
Some cottages are so well-placed that you can’t help but stop and stare. Lakes you can walk to in minutes, woodland trails right outside the gate or hills rising in the distance as soon as you open the curtains.
One time we stayed near Coniston Water and made it a ritual to wander down to the lakeshore every evening. No plans, no rush, just us and the dog watching the light change.
Coniston Water in the Lake District last Easter
Rustic beams, crackling fires, deep sofas you sink into after a long walk – these details matter. They’re what turn a place to sleep into somewhere you genuinely don’t want to leave.
If you’re wondering how it all fits together, here’s what our “perfect” weekend usually looks like:
It’s not extravagant. It’s not complicated. But every time we come back feeling like we’ve had a proper break – not just a change of scenery.
Over time, we’ve learned that not all “romantic” or “dog-friendly” cottages are created equal. What I like about Holiday Cottage is that the properties actually feel hand-picked for real people, not just staged for photos.
Whether you’re after something secluded, a lakeside hideaway or a luxury cottage with a hot tub, there’s a real sense that these are places couples genuinely enjoy staying in.
👉 Lake District Romantic Cottages
If you’re craving quiet mornings, long walks, evenings by the fire and a dog curled up at your feet, a romantic Lake District cottage could be exactly what you need. It’s not about ticking off attractions – it’s about slowing down and being together.
I still smile when I think about our last trip, and I know it won’t be our last. Maybe your perfect cottage escape is waiting too.
By Sarah (keen explorer, blogger, part of an amazing choir and lover of Cadburys chocolate) x
A hike up The Old Man Of Coniston
