Dog-friendly campsites in the Lake District National Park

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Opting for dog-friendly camping and glamping in the Lake District will give you a plethora of activities to enjoy with your pooch. The Lake District National Park itself is dog-friendly, so enjoy going for a scenic walk or hike with your fur baby in tow. The National Trust has rules dog walkers should abide by, from making sure you're cleaning up after them to being wary of the nearby wildlife. Make sure you take your lead with you, as no one wants them to chase any of the sheep that take up residence here!

Dog walks in the Lake District

In terms of dog walks in the Lake District, it's recommended that visitors try the Windermere west shore walk, a linear route that takes up to three hours and encompasses the grounds and parkland of Wray Castle. The Octavia Hill walk at Brandelhow Park, Derwent Water is a shorter route, taking around an hour and 30 minutes, letting you walk lakeside with your dog. Derwentwater has a nine-mile route around its wondrous lake, while Ullwater provides another beautiful spot by the water to explore. Here are the best Lake District dog walks:

  • Windermere west shore
  • Octavia Hill
  • Derwentwater
  • Ullswater
  • Grasmere and Rydal

Activities for dogs in the Lake District

Holidays with your dog in the Lake District will likely require you to keep them occupied in their new surroundings, and thankfully, the region has plenty of activities for you to do just that. These aren't your run-of-the-mill walks or big parks, either — doggies can enjoy everything from steam train journeys through to cruises. Windermere Lake Cruises (015394 43360) provides dog-friendly expeditions out onto the gentle water, while the Ravenglass and Eskdale railway (01229 717171) is a lovely steam railway trip across seven request stops with dogs welcome for a small additional charge. Here are the best activities for dogs in the Lake District:

  • Windermere Lake Cruises (015394 43360)
  • Ravenglass and Eskdale steam railway (01229 717171)
  • Mirehouse and Gardens (017687 72287)
  • Path to Adventure (01229 889183)
  • Hutton-in-the-Forest (017684 84449)
Here are the best sites for dog-friendly camping and glamping in the Lake District, including camping pods, luxury tents and more, all with dogs allowed.
93% (526) 575 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds in Lake District National Park

The Old Chapel Campsite

1. The Old Chapel Campsite

98%
(101)
Murton, England · 30 units
Nearly wild camping in the North Pennines
Campfires
Potable water
Baystone Bank Farm Campsite

2. Baystone Bank Farm Campsite

96%
(150)
Millom, England · 37 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Lake District camping on a working farm with a stream to splash in, campfires encouraged and a horse-riding centre on the doorstep
Electrical hookup
Campfires
Showers
Stock Park Lakeside Camping

3. Stock Park Lakeside Camping

92%
(93)
Grizedale, England · 15 units
Lake District camping on the banks of Lake Windermere, with direct access to the water.
Campfires
Showers
Potable water
Wanderlusts Gypsy Caravans

4. Wanderlusts Gypsy Caravans

Melmerby, England · 3 units
Travelling from site to site in a bow-top gypsy caravan, through Cumbria's stunning scenery
Campfires
Hot Tub
Potable water
Ewe Love Camping Pods

5. Ewe Love Camping Pods

98%
(110)
Penrith, England · 3 units
Modern Lake District glamping pods among the trees, with exceptional views of Blencathra
Showers
Potable water
Cooking equipment
Stanley Villa Farm Fishing& Camping

6. Stanley Villa Farm Fishing& Camping

94%
(62)
Preston, England · 22 units
Lakeside rural tranquility and the 'kiss-me-quick' fun of the seaside – you can have the best of both worlds at Stanley Villa Farm's cute camping pods
Showers
Campfires
Hot Tub
Moss Side Farm Campsite

7. Moss Side Farm Campsite

94%
(133)
Broughton In Furness, England · 25 units
Small-scale farm camping in the South Lakes, with campfires, wildlife and fine views
Campfires
Showers
Potable water
Howbeck Lodge

8. Howbeck Lodge

94%
(27)
Hesket Newmarket, England · 24 units · Tents, Motorhomes
A dog-friendly farm campsite on the northern edge of the Lake District
Showers
Water hookup
Potable water
Moss Rose Campsite

9. Moss Rose Campsite

99%
(61)
Pilling, Preston, England · 25 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
We have a family friendly Quiet campsite in the heart of Lancashire on our family run farm. Our site is situated in a species rich meadow field with large mown Pitches surrounded by wild flowers and meandering pathways linking the site together. We are surrounded by a young trees & woodland with the back drop of the Pennines. We offer both glamping and traditional non EHU camping on our site, with lovely hot showers, clean toilet facilities, fresh water point, pot wash area, phone charger lockers, communal freezers, elsan disposal point, microwave, coffee/hot chocolate machine, and our little honesty shack with all little camping essentials to might need whilst staying with us. We also hire out picnic benches and fire pits to help enhance your camping experience. We have a lovely little woodland walk, with a meandering mown path, that winds through our woodland/conservation area. Perfect to walk your dog, and let your kids explore. Adjoining the campsite, we have a padock with super frindly sheep that love to say hello. We sell little bags of sheep feed, just incase you'd like to give them a little treat. In the middle of the site, we have a little tots play area, perfect for keeping you're small kids entertained. We are a Quiet family site, with a Reduced Noise policy from 9 pm, and Quiet Time from 10 pm to 8.30 am. Latest check in time is 8PM, unless prearranged with the campsite. Our site has close links to the A6 and m6 J33. We are only 13 miles from the Historic city of Lancaster, the Bright lights of Blackpool and the jubilee city of Preston. 4 miles from the first fair trade market town of Garstang and 45 mins into the Lake District. There is also lots of interesting activities to do locally.
Campfires
Showers
Potable water
Harebeck Holidays

10. Harebeck Holidays

87%
(27)
Wasdale, England · 8 units · Motorhomes, Glamping
Nestled between the Western Lake District Fells and the Irish Sea coast this site is situated on a working dairy and sheep farm. Farm tours can be arranged on arrival. A play hut with outdoor games, drying room with communal fridge and freezer (some units have their own small fridge). Natural hedges surround the site. Four fruit trees near the shower block Half a mile to Gosforth village with Shop, Bakery, Cafe, 4 Pubs providing food and an Italian restaurant. Gosforth and Seascale villages have play parks. Muncaster Castle, Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, Wasdale, Scafell Pike and Sandy Beaches with Cafes selling local ice cream are nearby with most Lake District attractions within an hours drive and Edinburgh a three hour drive away. There are 5 campervan/motorhome pitches, a pod, a modern take on a shepherds hut with underfloor heating, a heated pod and two gypsy caravans with electricity to book. All pitches are on gravel positioned to enjoy views over farmland to Scafell Pike and other fells, they are surrounded by grassy areas with seating and a picnic table. A wooden play hut has outdoor games and toys inside. Awnings can be added on the 3 larger pitches. Tents can be pitched next to units for an extra £10 per night. Barbeques are allowed on gravel with our Gypsy Caravans having a campfire area. There is a communal fridge and freezer, outdoor drying space. Farm tours can be arranged. Wildlife and farm animals can be seen in the surrounding fields. Fresh vegetables and barbeque packs can be ordered with 24 to 48 hours notice. Grocery deliveries accepted from supermarkets. There is also a holiday cottage on the farm sleeping 6 over two rooms. Situated midway between the Western Lake District Fells and the Irish Sea Coast makes this site ideal for lower or higher level walks. Sandy beaches at Seascale and St Bees have cafes selling locally made ice cream alongside play areas to keep children happy. Scafell England's highest mountain is close by as are a number of Wainwrights. Nearby is Muncaster Castle and Gardens with its Hawk and Owl Centre, also Ravenglass (a Roman port with remains of a bath house),  you can ride up the Eskdale Valley on the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway (Laal Ratty). Perhaps take a stroll to Stanley Ghyll waterfall. They have a cafe at both terminuses with a museum in Ravenglass where nearby you can sample Ravenglass Ice Cream. Wasdale and Ennerdale are close by both valleys having cafes and pubs.
Electrical hookup
Campfires
Showers
Hazel Mount Fellside

11. Hazel Mount Fellside

98%
(49)
Eskdale, England · 5 units
Nearly wild camping on the western edge of the Lake District overlooking the Duddon Estuary
Campfires
Potable water
King Garth

12. King Garth

100%
(10)
Carlisle, England · 1 unit
Built in 1733, King Garth is also known as The Old Customs House, reflecting its role in these fraught times of smuggling. Its strategic position on the banks of The Eden served as the perfect lookout for a bailiff employed by Carlisle Corporation to protect the very important salmon fishery. The plaques on the building which commemorate the visits by Mayors date back to the 1700s. These visits no doubt involved indulgent banquets centring around freshly caught salmon I grew up on the opposite side of the river. On family walks along the Eden I was always fascinated by the house on the other side sited in such an amazing position. In 2010, when I returned to Cumbria I was amazed to hear that this house was for sale. It was a ruin and everyone told me I was mad..... I probably was a little! But I soon realised that I wasn’t alone in my love of this house, everyone I met from the surrounding villages had a tale to tell about this iconic place. King Garth is for sharing - with locals, (we have an annual barbecue), with wildlife and with people like you. The aim when renovating King Garth was to celebrate and embrace its history. King Garth is off grid and has no running water. It is furnished in a style to reflect its history. It isn’t everyone’s ‘cup of tea’: you have to drive a mile down a muddy lane, there is no hot shower, no electric lighting, and a compost toilet. BUT we offer beautiful evenings of candle light, log burner, hot tub under the stars and bathing in the river. My priority with King Garth and the land attached was to manage in a way to protect the abundant wildlife. There are also alpacas who you can look after during your stay. You will be astounded by the din the birds make at dawn and dusk! Inside the house there is an owl box where one summer a pair of barn owls successfully raised chicks. Since then a kestrel frequents the box and has twice laid there. This part of the Eden is tidal so both estuarine and river species co exist. Kingfishers and otters are often spotted And even the occasional seal! Kinggarth comes with fishing rights and if you want to fish this can be arranged with the host. The bird feeders are frequented by tree sparrows, yellow hammers, wood peckers, nut hatches and in winter red poll.
Campfires
Hot Tub
Cooking equipment
Woodman's Huts

13. Woodman's Huts

99%
(58)
Haverthwaite, England · 3 units
Beautiful handmade shepherd's huts in the heart of the picturesque South Lakes
Showers
Campfires
Wifi
Hill Top Huts

14. Hill Top Huts

97%
(121)
Middleton In Teesdale, England · 12 units
Scenic, simple glamping pods set beside a welcoming Pennines pub
Showers
Wifi
Potable water
Grinsdale Campsite

15. Grinsdale Campsite

England · 1 unit · Tent, Motorhome
Wild camping with water and toilets on site, also the King Charles coastal path, just 2 minutes from Hadrians Wall and next to the River Eden.
Campfires
Picnic table
Cherish Glamping

16. Cherish Glamping

100%
(5)
Hawes, England · 7 units
Yurts with private bathrooms, hot tubs, and breakfast included, set in beautiful Wensleydale
Showers
Campfires
Hot Tub
Hadrian's Wall Country Yurts

17. Hadrian's Wall Country Yurts

100%
(13)
Brampton, England · 2 units
Two yurts with hot tubs in the Cumbrian countryside just a mile away from Hadrian’s Wall
Showers
Campfires
Hot Tub
Garrison Shepherd's Huts

18. Garrison Shepherd's Huts

100%
(2)
Bowness On Solway, England · 4 units
Shepherd’s hut glamping near Hadrian’s Wall and the Solway Firth.
Showers
Hot Tub
Wifi
The Black Swan

19. The Black Swan

100%
(27)
Kirkby Stephen, England · 3 units
Our three, brand new wood and canvas yurts are nestled in our private, woodland hotel garden beside the beautiful conservation (SSSI) river of Scandal Beck. Just a short drive from The Lake District, The Yorkshire and Durham Dales as well as The Scottish Border, we are perfectly located for you to explore. The yurts themselves are individually decorated with full size furniture, electricity and double beds. The yurts are all located in the garden of The Black Swan Hotel, Ravenstonedale, a multi award-winning hotel, restaurant and bar; recipient of 2 AA Rosettes as well as AA pub of the year for England 2018/19. As part of your stay in our yurts you will receive a full cooked breakfast and buffet option included in the price for 2 people in our hotel restaurant. We like to think of ourselves as a cosy home from home with a relaxed dining atmosphere throughout. We are very dog friendly in the hotel, restaurant, bar and yurts so please bring your furry family members. Our beautiful woodland is also home to red squirrels (which are seen daily), protected, freshwater crayfish in the river, an otter (seen very infrequently but the nemesis of our ducks), 6 Indian runner ducks, free range chickens and our two cockerels! (Dogs are very welcome but are to be kept on a lead whilst in the woodland itself). We are very dog friendly and charge an additional fee of £15 for 1 dog/ £20 for 2 dogs for an additional cleaning fee and for some dog friendly goodies such as poop bags and treats. The price of this yurt is based on an occupancy of 2 people. Any other people who will be staying on the sofa bed will add a charge of £40 per person per night for breakfast and their stay. All yurts come with electrical battery pack, chargeable lanterns, tea/coffee, homemade biscuits, log burning stoves, towels, full breakfast included from the hotel, an outdoor seating area and access to our outdoor toasty warm woodland shower as well as our very cute, wooden toilet cabin. Hairdryers are available in the hotel for your use.
Showers
Campfires
Wifi
Pods in the Sticks

20. Pods in the Sticks

England · 2 units
As the name suggests, we’re located ‘in the sticks’ in rolling countryside, on a small working sheep farm near the Market Town of Kendal (famous for its Mint Cake of course!) which is also known as the ‘Gateway to the Lakes’. So, we’re perfectly located … ‘in the sticks’ so you can enjoy a peaceful glamping pod retreat, but also an ideal base for exploring the stunning Yorkshire Dales on one side, and the beautiful Lake District on the other. We’re less than 10 minutes from J37 of the M6
Showers
Campfires
Wifi

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

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