Lake District

[toastonjam]

We are going to the Lake District in a couple of weeks.

Can somebody recommend things to do, places to eat - preferably bakery/cake style places (not fine dining as we will have a dog!). We have been before but I know we missed so much!

Thank you!

We walk the local area and avoid using the car. An OS map and asking for advice from the hotel etc is all you really need. However to answer your question, there’s a lovely bakery/cafe/gift shop called Chesters at Skelwith Bridge; there’s a short flat walk from Elterwater to the cafe if you fancy it and a car park at Elterwater. The cafe also has a car park.

@Daffodilsandbees

Thank you - that's where we've been before :)

Sadly I’ve just looked up reviews and it seems to have gone downhill with some very bad reviews 😔

Where are you staying?

Whereabouts are you based in the Lakes?
Lakes incredibly dog friendly.

There's some nice walks by Lowther Castle (you don't need to enter the grounds - but they are amazing) and the cafe at the castle is open to those not going in the grounds.

Keswick is full of places to eat and full of doggies. You can wander low level (or do Catbells) round the lake and get a boat back. Some good shops there too especially if want boots/kagools.

You can also do this at Ullswater - walk/boat/eat.

Both Pooley Bridge (places to eat) and Glenriding are great though busy. St Patricks (by the Lake) at Glenriding has motorboat hire and a lovely cafe. Have to book the motorboats these days when busy. I like Patterdale - some good walks around there and there's a lovely pub there.

If you are by Elsewater go to Britannia Pub. Lovely sitting outside there on a sunny day.

I can highly, highly recommend Keswick Adventures. We stayed in a barn conversion a month back and wanted something new to do as a family. The kayaking, paddle boarding and Ghyll Scrambling were absolutely fantastic. Check out the Google reviews if you're interested. The place we stayed at said no dogs could be left alone but when we rang up, they said they're happy for them to be kept on a crate within the property sll, so long as the dogs would be happy. I think 3 hours was the longest we'd been out for. Just be sure to walk the dog beforehand and they'll likely just sleep the whole time.
It's the best thing we've done all year and very reasonably priced.

We’ve just been and had FAB dinners at both the Fellpack and the Roundhouse in Keswick- both very chilled vibes!

I was just coming to recommend the Fellpack! They let dogs in. Most places do.

I recently went for a lovely walk over Wansfell from Troutbeck - 10 of us with 9 dogs! We stopped for a lovely brunch on the terrace of Force café. Great food and plenty of space and welcome for dogs.

I'd recommend having lunch at the YHA Hostel at Ambleside because it's right on the lakefront. It's very chilled & relaxed, lots of people sit out at the front even if they're not staying at the hostel. Lots of dog owners around so you won't be out of place.

Thank you everyone.

We are staying in graythwaite - not stayed there before.

It looks like we've seen barely any of the lakes from all of your suggestions!

Going to make a list