We Are Dog Friendly

Dog Friendly B&B in Ambleside!

We welcome dogs (and their owners) to our Bed & Breakfast in the Lake District. We love them so much that DOGS STAY FREE! That’s a rare thing in the Ambleside area 🙂

We have lots of customers who return to us year after year, particularly with their dogs, as they know their pets are going to be made just as welcome as they are!

As well as the local fells, there are plenty of great circular dog walking routes that we can recommend to you. Just ask us for details.

Here’s our official policy on dogs: 

Your dog is welcome at The Old Vicarage. If you have a dog with you, we would prefer that it is not allowed onto the furniture or left in the room unattended. If you feel your dog can be trusted and will not panic when left alone, please let us know and let us have a way to contact you just in case it gets spooked!

Please be considerate enough to clean-up after your dog, particularly within the grounds (there is a bin in the car park)

Please be aware that there are often children staying and not all children have been taught how to behave around dogs!

DOG FRIENDLY ATTRACTIONS IN & AROUND AMBLESIDE.

White Platt’s Recreation Ground
Compston Road, Ambleside,
Cumbria LA22 9DJ
015394 31332
http://www.whiteplatts.co.uk/
Dogs allowed on leads.
—

Windermere Lake Cruises
Waterhead Pier, Waterhead, Ambleside, LA22 0EY
015394 43360
https://www.windermere-lakecruises.co.uk/about-us/dog-friendly-attraction
—

Brockhole Visitor Centre
Brockhole on Windermere, Windermere, LA23 1LJ
015394 46601
https://www.brockhole.co.uk/plan-your-visit/dogs-welcome/
—

Grasmere Garden Village
Church Stile, Grasmere, Ambleside, LA22 9SW
015394 35255
http://www.grasmeregardens.com/
—

Ullswater Steamers
The Pier House, Glenridding, CA11 0US
017684 82229
https://www.ullswater-steamers.co.uk/
Dogs allowed on leads.
—

Lakeland Motor Museum
Old Blue Mill, Backbarrow, Ulverston, LA12 8TA
015395 30400
https://www.lakelandmotormuseum.co.uk/about/terms-and-conditions (scroll down to ‘Dogs’ section)
—

Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway
Haverthwaite Station, Nr Ulverston, LA12 8AL
015395 31594
https://www.lakesiderailway.co.uk/conditions-of-carriage/
—

NATIONAL TRUST ATTRACTIONS.

Different restrictions apply at each place and at different times of year, so please check before you visit exactly where you and your four-legged friend can roam:

Stagshaw Garden (NT)
Use small car park just off the A591 at Waterhead. Use LA22 0HE for Satnav.
015394 46027
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ambleside/features/escape-to-stagshaw-gardens
—
Allan Bank (NT)
They have a very small car park at Allan Bank that they reserve for Blue Badge holders. There are three pay and display car parks in Grasmere village (not National Trust). Allan Bank is a short 10-minute walk up the hill from the Inn at Grasmere / Emma’s Dell in the centre of the village.
015394 35143
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/allan-bank-and-grasmere
—
Wray Castle (NT)
Low Wray, Ambleside, LA22 0JA
015394 33250
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wray-castle

PUBLIC PARKS

Below are a selection of local authority run parks, which generally provide wide open spaces.

Borrans Park, Waterhead, LA22 0EN
Borrans Park has magnificent views of Windermere lake and is easily accessed from the A591. There are the remains of a Roman road leading to the ruin of a Roman fort with historical interpretation information in the adjacent field. The large grassed recreation area has picnic tables and ample seating.

Broadgate Meadow, Grasmere, LA22 9RY
Broadgate Meadow is at the northern end of the picturesque village of Grasmere, with stunning views of the surrounding fells. The park has a play area and football pitch. Outdoor gym equipment has also recently been installed.

Rothay Park, Ambleside LA22 9DG
Rothay Park is a popular park situated in the centre of Ambleside, it is surrounded by a dramatic landscape and offers a gateway to some of the most beautiful fells in the Lake District. The park provides lots of opportunities for play and relaxation for both residents and visitors of all ages and abilities, from a full size football pitch and children’s play area to picnic benches, large grassed areas and natural rock outcrops.

Stock Ghyll, Ambleside, LA22 0QZ
Stock Ghyll features a famous waterfall once written about by the poet John Keats. The ghyll once powered the bobbin mills for the Lancashire cotton trade. There is a circular walk beginning at the southern entrance which takes you via a signposted path up to the viewing platforms and over the top of the falls, before descending again. There is a disabled access point to the top viewing platform. Stock Ghyll is also a gateway to Wansfell Pike and Troutbeck.

Bowness Promenade, LA23 3HE
Bowness Promenade is an area of formal planting and benches, with spectacular views across Windermere lake. This area has access to boating, shops, restaurants and cafes.

The Glebe, Bowness-on-Windermere, LA23 3HE
The Glebe is a large grassed area next to the Promenade with a bandstand that holds performances regularly during the summer months. There are also tennis courts and pitch and putt and crazy golf courses.

Queen’s Park, Windermere, LA23 2AW
This is a popular park on Park Road in Windermere with a football pitch, cricket pitch, crown green bowling, tennis courts, squash pavilion, children’s play area and skate park.
Rayrigg Meadow, Bowness-on-Windermere, LA23 1BP
This recreation ground is part of the Millerground area on Rayrigg Road beside Lake Windermere. It has a:
– outdoor adventure centre
– full size football pitch
– children’s play area
– picnic areas
– lake frontage with public jetties and swimming areas

Hope Park, Keswick, CA12 5DJ
On the way to Derwentwater from Keswick town centre. Bridging the gap between town and the lake, Hope Park has gardens and park facilities set in stunning surroundings. Plenty of perfect picnic spots. A woodland trail and stream make Hope Park a lovely place to meander. Traditional park games are played here as well as some which you’d have to look hard to find anywhere else! Café Hope is a relaxing place to enjoy home baked food in beautiful surroundings.

Fitz Park, Keswick, CA12 4NF
Just a short walk from the town centre in a lovely location beside the river Greta. The fantastic play area in the Lower Park includes equipment for children of all ages from toddlers to teenagers. There are wide open spaces for ball games or generally just running about and burning off some energy. Glorious views towards Skiddaw and Latrigg make it an ideal spot for a picnic. Benches are located both by the riverside and in the enclosed playground. A multi use games area provides space for football and basketball. A BMX track is located to the rear of the Football Pavilion.
Upper Fitz Park is a formal area with landscaped gardens and arboretum with specimen trees and shrubs. In this side of the park there is an 18 hole putting green, bowls and croquet.

DOG FRIENDLY SHOPS IN AMBLESIDE

We’re not going to list the dog friendly shops in Ambleside purely as their policies do change quite frequently. We can tell you that most of the outdoor shops are welcoming and even if the dogs can’t go in, there’s usually a bowl of water out the front. It’s only a nod to being dog friendly, but it is something.

DOG FRIENDLY PLACES TO EAT IN AMBLESIDE

CAFES IN AMBLESIDE

The Apple Pie
http://www.applepieambleside.co.uk/

The Copper Pot
http://www.copper-pot.co.uk/

Ghandi’s Café (vegan)
http://www.gandhiscafe.co.uk/

Daisy’s Café
https://www.facebook.com/DaisysCafeAmbleside

Kysty’s
https://www.kysty.co.uk/

Mr H’s Tearoom
https://www.facebook.com/mrhambleside/

The Giggling Goose
http://www.gigglinggoose.co.uk/

Café Altitude
Watch people on climbing wall!
https://www.facebook.com/CafeAltitudeAmbleside/

The Rattle Ghyll
https://www.rattleghyll.com/

The Waterhead Coffee Shop
Wonderful views near to the pier at Waterhead.
https://www.facebook.com/Waterheadcoffee/

RESTAURANTS IN AMBLESIDE

Misto
https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Abruzzo-Restaurant/Misto-237551110244591/

The Fulling Mill
http://www.thefullingmill.com/

Sheila’s Cottage
http://www.sheilascottage.co.uk/

Lucy’s on a plate
http://www.lucysofambleside.co.uk/lucys-on-a-plate/restaurant.php

Luigi’s
http://www.luigis-ambleside.co.uk

DOG FRIENDLY PUBS IN AMBLESIDE

Ambleside Tavern
https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Pub/Ambleside-Tavern-320678961289165/

The Golden Rule
Does not serve food.
https://www.robinsonsbrewery.com/goldenrule

The Unicorn
https://www.robinsonsbrewery.com/unicornambleside

The White Lion
https://www.innkeeperslodge.com/hotels/the-white-lion-hotel-ambleside-cumbria

The Royal Oak
https://www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk/pubs/cumbria/royal-oak

The Lily
http://www.thelilybar.co.uk

eS Bar
https://esbarambleside.co.uk/

DOG SERVICES IN AMBLESIDE

VETS IN AMBLESIDE

Oakhill Vets, Ambleside & Windermere
https://oakhillvetgroup.co.uk/

DOG GROOMERS IN AMBLESIDE

Dog Gone Fabulous Dog Groomers
https://www.doggonefabulousgrooming.com/

DOG WALKERS AND SITTERS IN AMBLESIDE

Ambleside Dog Walker
https://www.amblesidedogwalker.com/

PET SHOPS IN AMBLESIDE

Paws by the Lake:
https://www.pawsbythelake.co.uk/

Hayes Garden Centre: this has a comprehensive pets section, but unfortunately dogs are not allowed in!
https://www.hayesgardenworld.co.uk

DOG FRIENDLY WALKS IN & AROUND AMBLESIDE
Walking without proper preparation can be dangerous. Information, links and downloads on this website are provided free of charge; it is each walker’s responsibility to check the material and use accordingly. Walk reports are not route guides and should not be treated as such.

GUIDED WALKS – LAKE DISTRICT NATIONAL PARK
The National Park run a rolling diary of guided walks from very easy to difficult. Generally, well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome.
Book Walks Online here: https://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/visiting/events-and-guided-walks

NATIONAL TRUST WALKS.

1. Ambleside Champion Tree Trail – 45 minute woodland walk
See: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ambleside/trails/ambleside-champion-tree-trail

2. Ambleside to Troutbeck and back via Wansfell – 4 to 5 hours walk
See: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/townend/trails/ambleside-to-troutbeck-and-back-via-wansfell

3. Ambleside Common Wood Walk – 1 hour woodland walk
See: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ambleside/trails/ambleside-common-wood-walk

4. Post Knott, Windermere Views Walk – 1 hour walk
See: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ambleside/trails/post-knott-windermere-views-walk

5. Tarn Hows Circular Walk – 1 hour walk
See: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/tarn-hows-and-coniston/trails/tarn-hows-circular-walk-

CUMBRIA TOURISM WALKS.

1. Scandale and Red Screes
See: https://www.golakes.co.uk/thedms.aspx?dms=3&venue=5058427&feature=14&routetype=Walk+Route&itemtype=175&pvieflags=I&bnp=20&dmsclass=fullWidth&uv=1&campaign=6640

2. Elterwater to Coniston
See: https://www.golakes.co.uk/thedms.aspx?dms=3&venue=5060792&feature=2&routetype=Walk+Route&itemtype=175&pvieflags=I&bnp=20&dmsclass=fullWidth&uv=1&campaign=6640

3. Grasmere to Patterdale
See: https://www.golakes.co.uk/thedms.aspx?dms=3&venue=5052180&feature=3&routetype=Walk+Route&itemtype=175&pvieflags=I&bnp=20&dmsclass=fullWidth&uv=1&campaign=6640

MILES WITHOUT STILES.

1. Loughrigg Tarn Circuit
See: https://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/visiting/things-to-do/walking/mileswithoutstiles/mws41

2. Clappersgate to Wray Castle
See: https://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/visiting/things-to-do/walking/mileswithoutstiles/mws46

3. White Moss Common to Steps End
See: https://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/visiting/things-to-do/walking/mileswithoutstiles/mws45

COUNTRYFILE

1. Rydal and Grasmere, 6 miles
See: https://www.countryfile.com/go-outdoors/walks/walk-rydal-and-grasmere-cumbria/

WALKS FROM OTHER WEBSITES

1. The Windermere Way
See: https://www.windermere-way.co.uk/index.html

2. The Coffin Route
See: https://www.mudandroutes.com/routes/easy-walk-coffin-route-ambleside-to-grasmere/

3. Loughrigg Fell
See: http://www.wainwrightroutes.co.uk/loughriggfell_r1.htm

4. Wansfell via Jenkins Crag
See: https://www.lakeswalks.co.uk/walks/wansfell_via_jenkins_cragg/

5. Lily Tarn above Ambleside
See: https://www.walklakes.co.uk/walk_228.html

6. Skelwith Bridge
See: http://www.gps-routes.co.uk/routes/home.nsf/RoutesLinksWalks/ambleside-to-skelwith-bridge-walking-route

7. High Sweden Bridge from Ambleside
See: https://www.walkingbritain.co.uk/walk-3519-description

8. Stock Ghyll Waterfalls
See: https://www.walklakes.co.uk/walk_132.html

9. Rydal Hall
See: https://www.familyadventureproject.org/rydal-hall-walk/

10. Ambleside and Rydal Circular
See: https://www.walkingbritain.co.uk/walk-3075-description