The Kennel Club has presented Keswick with the prestigious accolade of being the most dog friendly town in Britain!
Thousands of nominations flooded in from dog lovers all keen to share their experiences of Keswick's many pubs, bars, shops and accommodation providers.
Many of the pubs not only welcome dogs, but go above and beyond to prove their dog friendly credentials. Most pubs provide treats, doggy bags and fresh bowls of water. The Dog & Gun has been a previous winner in the Dog Friendly Awards and leads the way with its attitude to our four legged friends.
We already know what a great place Keswick is for dogs – endless fabulous fell walks, woods with their ready supply of sticks for throwing, and the lake for splashing in. What better place for a holiday!
There are many Lake District cottages which are dog friendly too, accepting 1,2, 3 or 4 dogs! Considering that around one in four UK households own a dog, this is a large slice of the market to cater for. Keswick prides itself on being able to give dog owners the information they need when planning their holiday whether it be from locals or tourist information. There are self catering cottage agencies where you can find out if a cottage has a garden, and if it is enclosed or not, where the nearest pub is and if it is dog friendly.
Locals are always happy to share tips for a great walk or a cafe that keeps a supply of towels for soggy dogs. It is great news that Keswick has been recognised for it's dog friendly attitude – not just pubs, but cafes, shops and the post office too.
There are several pet friendly cottages in the Lake District from remote valley retreats to centrally located town houses. They range from cosy cottages sleeping two people to big barn conversions sleeping up to 26!
If you've never been to Keswick before and you have a dog in tow then why not pay the town a visit. Not only is it a fantastic opportunity to take a break yourself but doesn't your pooch deserve a holiday from time to time.
Derwentwater, flanked by mountains is a popular place for walks. The Keswick Launch is a lovely way to see the lake itself, stopping at various points around the lake where you can hope on and off, your dog is welcome too! You can also step back in time and hire Victorian rowing boats to see what the Lake District looks like at a slower pace.
There are also some great places to go swimming in the lake's clear waters and get a completely different perspective on the Lake District fells. Your dog will love it too.
Martin Wynn
