The Lake District and Cumbria With a Dog: Three Places to Stay

Cumbria is the county most people picture when they think about walking a dog in England, and until recently it was a gap in our network. It is not any more. Three Wigwam® Holidays sites in Cumbria now have cabins that welcome dogs, covering the southern edge of the Lakes, the Eden Valley and the country around Hadrian's Wall. More on all three is on the dog-friendly glamping in Cumbria page.

One honest note before the list. Only one of the three sits close to the central Lakes. The other two are east and north of the fells. That is a real trade, and for most people with a dog it is a good one: fewer crowds, easier parking, better value, and you are still within a comfortable drive of Ullswater and the eastern fells. If you want to be in Ambleside, this is not the guide for you.

Pods in the Sticks, near Kendal

Pods in the Sticks near Kendal sits on a small working sheep farm, its glamping pods take dogs, and it is the closest of the three to the central Lakes. Kendal is the southern gateway, so Windermere is around half an hour and the quieter fells above Kentmere and Longsleddale are closer still.

With a dog, the Kentmere valley is the pick. It is a long, low, walled valley that works whatever the weather is doing on the tops, and it stays quiet on days when Windermere is heaving. It is a small site, so book early, particularly for half terms.

Eden Valley

Eden Valley has six cabins, every one with a hot tub, and dogs are welcome in two of its three cabin types, which makes it the strongest of the three if you want both. It sits east of the fells in the Eden Valley proper, which is farmland, river and sandstone rather than crags.

This is underrated dog country. The river paths along the Eden are long, flat and shaded, and the Pennine edge above Appleby gives you height without a scramble. Ullswater is around forty minutes if you want a proper Lakes day, and Aira Force is a short, manageable walk with a dog on a lead.

Brampton, north Cumbria

Brampton has seven cabins, five of them dog-friendly with enclosed decks, and its Standard Cabin with Hot Tub takes dogs. It sits in the north of the county closer to Hadrian's Wall than to Windermere. If your trip is really about walking rather than about the Lakes specifically, this is arguably the best of the three: Hadrian's Wall and the Gelt woods are both a short drive, and the north Pennines start where the town ends.

It also pairs naturally with Northumberland, so if you are combining a longer trip, look at the dog-friendly glamping in Northumberland page alongside this one.

Which to pick

For the closest thing to a central Lakes base, Pods in the Sticks near Kendal. For a dog and a hot tub, Eden Valley first and Brampton second. For serious walking without fighting for parking, Brampton. And if you are travelling in August, all three sit away from the busiest parts of the National Park, which is rather the point.

Practical notes

Cumbria is working farmland and open fell, and both need care. Sheep graze unfenced on the fells year round, so a dog that chases is a dog that stays on a lead up high, whatever their recall is like at home. Lambing runs through spring and the pressure on that is real. Lower down, the river and woodland paths in the Eden Valley and around Brampton are the easier off-lead options.

Dogs are welcome in selected cabins rather than across a whole site, and both Eden Valley and Brampton have a pet free hot tub cabin, so book a cabin marked as dogs allowed. Eden Valley adds a small charge per stay for a dog and asks that dogs stay on a lead on site. If you have a hot tub cabin, the tub is for human guests only. And take more towels than you think you need, because Cumbria is wetter than the photographs suggest.

Ready to book

Dates and prices are on each site's own page, linked above, and the dog-friendly glamping in Cumbria page brings all three together. For the rest of the country, start at the dog-friendly glamping collection. Booking direct with Wigwam® is always the best price.

Frequently asked questions

Are there dog-friendly Wigwam® sites in the Lake District?

Pods in the Sticks near Kendal is the closest to the central Lakes and takes dogs. Eden Valley and Brampton are also in Cumbria but sit east and north of the fells rather than inside the central Lakes.

Which Cumbria site is best for a dog and a hot tub?

Eden Valley, where every cabin has a hot tub and dogs are welcome in the Large and Standard hot tub cabins. Brampton's Standard Cabin with Hot Tub also takes dogs. Pods in the Sticks has no hot tubs. Both Eden Valley and Brampton also have a pet free hot tub cabin, so book one marked as dogs allowed.

Can I let my dog off the lead on the fells?

Not where there is grazing, which is most of the open fell. Sheep are unfenced year round and the pressure is highest through lambing in spring. The river paths in the Eden Valley and the woodland around Brampton are the better off-lead options.

Is Cumbria a good choice with a dog in summer?

Yes. All three sit away from the busiest parts of the National Park, which makes a real difference in August. Plan walks for morning and evening, and check beach and lakeshore restrictions locally.

How far is Ullswater?

Around forty minutes from Eden Valley. Aira Force is a short walk that works with a dog on a lead, and the eastern shore paths are quieter than the Windermere side.