Dog Friendly Holidays in Kendal

What's on offer for dog owners around Kendal

BritStays currently lists 39 dog friendly stays in the Kendal region of Cumbria, and every one is marked Pet Friendly. The mix leans towards outdoor holidays. There are 15 caravanning sites and 8 campsites, alongside 10 hotels, 5 cottages and a single holiday park. If you have your heart set on a self-catering cottage with your dog, that's one of the smallest parts of the choice, so it's worth starting your search early.

Kendal itself has the biggest cluster, with 11 stays. Beyond the town there are three each in Kirkby Stephen, North West England and Ravenstonedale, two at Crooklands, and single listings in Little Asby, Orton, Morland and Thornton.

Which area suits your kind of trip

This is a countryside set rather than a seaside one. The stays are farm campsites, caravan parks, country inns and town hotels, so plan around walks and fresh air rather than beach days. Within that, different stays suit different trips:

• Couples who like a good dinner: Ravenstonedale has two inns with a bar and restaurant, The Fat Lamb and The Black Swan Hotel. The Fat Lamb also lists disabled access.
• Families: Woodclose Park at Kirkby Lonsdale has a playground, toilets and a gift shop. Gatebeck Holiday Park at Endmoor adds a clubhouse to its playground. Swaledale Lodge sleeps 6 and lists a hot tub, a playground and disabled access.
• Larger groups: Hillside House at Kirkby Lonsdale sleeps 8, with WiFi and parking.
• A town base: In Kendal, the Travelodge Kendal Town Centre has a bar and restaurant. Stone House Hotel has a restaurant. Riverside Hotel offers a swimming pool, gym and spa, but ask which areas your dog can use.
• Campers and caravanners: Newby End Farm Caravan Site and Low Greenside Farm Campsite are both near Kendal. West View Caravan Park is at Gatebeck and Cross Hall Caravan Park is at Sedbergh. Philpin Farm Campsite at Chapel-le-Dale stands out for having a bar and a cafe on site.

What the facilities tell you

Beyond the Pet Friendly label, the facility counts are a useful reality check:

• Parking: 25 of the 39 stays list it. If you're driving with a dog and kit, confirm it with the remaining 14 before booking.
• WiFi: about half (20) mention it.
• Disabled access: listed at 15.
• Toilets: listed at 14, which matters most at the campsites.
• Food and drink: 13 have a bar and 13 a restaurant, so on-site eating is far from guaranteed.
• EV charging: 13 note charging nearby.

A facility missing from a listing doesn't always mean it isn't there. Still, it's a good prompt to ask rather than assume.

Things to do once you're there

The Yorkshire Dales National Park is the obvious draw for long walks with your dog. History lovers have plenty of choice:

• In Kendal: Kendal Castle and the Heritage Centre.
• Stately homes: Levens Hall, Sizergh Castle and Acorn Bank.
• Further castles: Appleby Castle, Howgill Castle and the site of Burton Castle.

For a day further afield, there's Brantwood, Eskdale Mill and The Lakes Aqua Park in the Lake District. You could also try the Judges' Lodgings Museum and the Laurel and Hardy Museum in Morecambe.

Dog rules vary a lot between attractions, especially indoors and in formal gardens. Check each one's policy before you set off. That way you won't end up taking turns waiting outside with the dog.

When and how to book

With only 5 cottages and 1 holiday park in this set, those are the stays most likely to fill up first. Booking well ahead is sensible if you need a particular size or date. Hotels and caravan sites give you more options, but dog-friendly rooms and pitches can be limited even where pets are welcome. Before you pay, ask:

• How many dogs are allowed, and is there a size limit?
• Is there an extra charge per dog or per stay?
• Can dogs go in bars, restaurants or communal areas, or only in rooms and pitches?
• Is there an enclosed space or a walking area close by?
• Is parking guaranteed, and how close is it to your room or pitch?

Get the answers in writing, pack your dog's bedding and a towel for muddy paws, and you'll be ready for the fells.