Lake Dsitrict (with dog) - places to visit

[georgefreeman918]

Hi,

Just looking for some inspiration on places to visit in the Lake District (December 13th - 16th).

We will have our dog (Jack Russell) so activities / places we go must be dog friendly. The other half doesn't so long, or hill walks either so that is out of the question!

Does anyone have any suggestions for places to visit / nice walks that are different to the usual 'go to' things to do in the lakes. We go the lakes 3 / 4 times per year, so we have exhausted the usual spots (Windermere, Grasmere, Ambleside, Keswick etc) and are keen to explore some new ground.

Any tips for:

- nice towns to visit
- restaurants / cafes that are dog friendly and recommended
- short, flat walks (mostly lakeside)

Thanks in advance.

G

[Bujinkhal]

Scout Scar just outside Kendal is a lovely walk, there's an initial incline that's fairly steep but my 78 year old dad with one lung managed it. Perhaps 100 meters. Once you're up there the views over the lune valley rival those from any of the peaks and the rest of the walk is flat.

Levens Deer park is beautiful on the right day and is a totally flat walk.

As for towns, there just isn't that many worth visiting other than the ones you've mentioned. Orton is ok for a look around and the chocolate shop there is fantastic. I assume you've been to Kirkby Lonsdale which isn't technically in the lakes but close enough.

Having said, Silverdale is beautiful as is Arnside. If you haven't been to the RSPB sanctuary at Leighton Moss, that's worth doing.

As for dog friendly cafes etc, yeah I don't have a clue.

[Unexpected Item In The Bagging Area]

Chesters in Skelwith Bridge near Ambleside is a fantastic and dog friendly cafe, plus there’s a pleasant and easy walk from there to Elterwater. You normally have to put a dog on its lead for bits of the path but the majority of it will be sheep free.

The Masons Arms at Strawberry Bank is a very atmospheric pub with a great restaurant upstairs and is dog friendly, ditto the Cuckoo Brow Inn at Far Sawrey.

[RammyMP]

Grizedale Forest is a nice walk, I don’t know if the cafe will be open this time of year though.

[georgefreeman918]

Thank for the recommendations so far. I’ll have a look into these as many of them sound suitable!

[anonymous-user]

Not sure if you've ever done Tarn Hows as you've been about that neck of the woods.
Lovely spot and easy flat walking.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/tarn-hows-and-con...

Also Brockhole https://www.brockhole.co.uk/
Both easy walking and allow dogs.

[numtumfutunch]

http://www.towerbankarms.co.uk/

Loads of walking nearby to cover all ambition and some genuine Potter too.
Beatrix, not Harry.

Lovely pub with a great bar, good food and dogs very welcome.

Not been for a couple of years - must sort that - but bar was free for all with no bookings allowed whilst restaurant was same food and could reserve but no dogs. Been going for years and the honesty system waiting for a table in the pub was always fair and equitable.

This time of the year with a roaring log fire it will be divine.

Cheers

[soxboy]

Unexpected Item In The Bagging Area said:

Chesters in Skelwith Bridge near Ambleside is a fantastic and dog friendly cafe, plus there’s a pleasant and easy walk from there to Elterwater. You normally have to put a dog on its lead for bits of the path but the majority of it will be sheep free.

The Masons Arms at Strawberry Bank is a very atmospheric pub with a great restaurant upstairs and is dog friendly, ditto the Cuckoo Brow Inn at Far Sawrey.

Another vote for Chesters and the walk to Elterwater. The Britannia Inn at Elterwater is a nice place for a post-walk pint and a bite to eat too.

[RESSE]

The Cuckoo Brow Inn (Far Sawrey, Ambleside LA22 0LQ) is a good place for lunch with some great walks and views nearby.

[Gone a bit AMG]

Cartmel village. Great pubs on the square for,lunch all dog friendly then a walk on the see front at Grange over sands that’s flat and should be suitably bracing this weekend.

[Lotobear]

Head to the Northern fells.

....a walk around Buttermere lake is nice and fairly flat but long enough to be interesting and wear the terrier out! Two pubs to choose from when you get back to the village (Bridge and Fish)

Newlands valley is nice too - little known and right next to Keswick (walk up to Force Crag mine and have a mooch around if that interests you, interesting mine water treatment scheme going on there. Dog friendly pubs - Middle Ruddings and the Coledale Hall. From here you have Keswick for the wife to explore while you sit in the Wainwright and have a few beers - also plenty of flat walks around Derwentwater. Pencil Museum? Could visit Rheged for the wifey and have a walk along the shores of Ullswater.

Sharrow Bay does nice lunches and reasonably priced - worth it for the view of the lake alone if it's nice enough weather to sit on the terrace.

....or Eskdale and Boot, or Muncaster, in the SW corner, the hidden gem of the Lakes where no one goes.

There is simply loads beyond the usual 'honeypots' beyond which you will find the 'real Lakes'