The market town of Keswick is a beautiful staycation spot on its own, but it’s especially attractive to explorers and walkers of all ages because it’s right in the heart of the Lake District and some of the most amazing dog walks in the country.
Nestled amidst mountains, super countryside, and the picturesque Derwent Water, there’s near endless walkies opportunities and just as many dog-friendly places to eat and drink. If you and the pooch are staying in town, try to sniff out these 15 dog-friendly pubs in Keswick.
The Dog & Gun
Now part of the Greene King chain, The Dog & Gun is still a buzzing pub in the heart of the Keswick community. Given it’s Greene King, there’s a varied menu of food and drinks but one meal always stands out, their goulash, and the pub has carved out a great reputation based on this hearty dish alone.
That and they’re delightfully dog friendly, and there’s usually a pooch or two sprawled out by the bar.
Address: 2 Lake Road, CA12 5BT
Opening Times: Every day: 11:00-23:00
The Pack Horse Inn
The Pack Horse offers a proper, traditional pub and a welcome bolthole for locals looking for a social evening of drinking and dining. The upper floors are focused on dining and do not allow dogs.
However, you and the pooch are welcome to settle in the downstairs of this dog friendly pub in Keswick to warm up by the fire and refresh yourselves.
Address: Pack Horse Court, CA12 5JB
Opening Times: Sun-Thu: 12:00-23:00 / Fri-Sat: 12:00-01:00
The Pheasant
The Pheasant is a dog-friendly pub just outside Keswick that welcomes canines inside and out, they just ask dogs and owners to keep to the bar areas. There are bowls of water so your pooch can quench their thirst too, and they can tuck into some treats provided you leave a donation to the Keswick Mountain Rescue.
You might even make friends with the pub dog! CAMRA accredited and cosy, the decor is antique and local, including numerous sketches of pub-goers by fellow local, John Wilkinson.
Address: Crosthwaite Road, CA12 5PP
Opening Times: Every day: 12:00-22:00
The Wainwright Pub
Shortlisted for The Great Outdoors Pub of the Year and a regular feature of the CAMRA good beer guide, The Wainwright is the pub to head to for a social atmosphere and cracking range of Cumbrian ales.
This family and dog-friendly pub in Keswick welcome walkers, cyclists, and locals alike so it’s no wonder they’ve also been recognised as one of the UK’s best walking pubs. In fact, it’s the perfect pit stop after walkies on the rugged mountains and wild Lake District landscape.
Address: Lake Road, CA12 5BZ
Opening Times: Mon-Tue: Closed / Wed-Fri & Sun: 12:00-22:00 / Sat: 12:00-00:00
Twa Dogs Inn
With a name like the Twa Dogs Inn, I’d have been surprised if this pub and hotel hadn’t been pet-friendly. Thankfully, they welcome four-legged visitors. Since it’s nestled between Latrigg and Skiddaw it’s a perfect pit-stop for fell walkers and an equally welcome oasis for those doing the Coast2Coast trail.
The garden has a great view of the fells, but you and the pooch are more than welcome to warm up inside too. (Just watch out for the Bogart!)
Address: Penrith Road, CA12 4JU
Opening Times: “Always open” - Call ahead
The Bank Tavern
A firm favourite among locals and visitors alike, The Bank Tavern is a dog-friendly, traditional pub that’s perfect for anyone looking for hearty British comfort food and local ales.
Furry visitors are treated to plenty of fuss and treats from the staff, so they’re sure to find the place as relaxing as their humans. Just watch your head because the ceilings are pretty low in this gorgeous, old-school boozer.
Address: 47 Main Street, CA12 5DS
Opening Times: Mon-Sat: 11:00-23:00 / Sun:12:00-22:30
The George Hotel
The George Hotel is the oldest coaching inn in Keswick and continues to offer hearty, home-cooked food and a place to rest your head for visitors today. It oozes charm and character and you and the pooch are welcome to get cosied up in the bar beside the fire and enjoy a relaxing drink (or two).
The homely vibe influences the menu too, which boasts pub classics and good British grub, including their renowned cow pie.
Address: 3 St John's Street, CA12 5AZ
Opening Times: Call ahead to check
The Kings Arms Hotel
Dogs are welcome in the bar and lounge of The Kings Arms, and they’re just as welcome to stay with you in the hotel. If you do stay, doggy beds are provided so there’s no need to fill the car boot.
As for the pub, there are helpings of Lakeland hospitality and hearty food that makes the most of some fantastic local ingredients. Not to mention there’s a glut of whiskies and real ales to wash it all down with.
Address: Main Street, CA12 5BL
Opening Times: “Always open” - Best to check ahead!
The Swinside Inn
Just a few miles from Keswick on the western side of Derwentwater is The Swinside Inn. This pub attracts a lot of walkers off of the mountain, since you can see it all the way from Catbells. It has potentially the best view from any beer garden too because you can see the stunning fell from here!
This dog-friendly pub and B&B has plenty of water bowls and free biscuits for peckish pups who’ve been out on walkies, and lots of delicious treats for their humans too. You might even meet pub dog Milo and make a new friend.
Address: Newlands Valley, CA12 5UE
Opening Times: Sun-Fri: 12:00-23:00 / Sat: 12:00-19:00
The White Horse Inn
This simple bunkhouse has four rooms with bunk beds and an adjoining kitchen, but there’s also a positively lovely little pub. Walkers are more than welcome at The White Horse and this homely pub is an oasis for anyone needing a rest after climbing Blencathra.
It’s also on the Coast2Coast cycle route. Dogs are always welcome too, and human and hound alike will be warmly welcomed and perfectly relaxed in this rustic, country pub.
Address: Threlkeld, CA12 4SY
Opening Times: Every day: 12:00-22:00
The Lake Road Inn
Another beautiful pub owned by Robinson’s Brewery, there’s plenty of great ales on offer at The Lake Road Inn as well as British pub grub and comfort food. The rustic decor has the odd nautical touch to compliment the name and location.
This cosy country pub is a community hangout too, thanks to regular events and live music to bring everyone - and their dogs - together for a social.
Address: 10 Lake Road, CA12 5BT
Opening Times: Sun-Fri: 12:00-19:00 / Sat: 12:00-20:00
The Royal Oak
The Royal Oak is one of the most dog-friendly pubs in Keswick, and one reviewer has even said it’s too dog friendly, given the number of pups who frequent the Oak. There’s even a reasonably-priced doggy menu on offer, if you want to spoil your fur-baby. (No wonder it’s popular!)
The light and cosy surroundings don’t just end in the pub though, there are equally gorgeous rooms upstairs that are just as dog-friendly.
Address: Main Street, CA12 5HZ
Opening Times: Every day: 10:00-22:00
Twisted Magnolia
A traditional English pub, this is not. Although well-known for its Belgian beers, it’s not the sole focus here as the Magnolia is the taproom for their own brewery. Don’t fret if you’re not a beer drinker though, there is a great wine list and more than two dozen whiskies as well.
All in all, it means there’s an astonishing range of beers on offer. Dogs are welcome in the front of the bar at the discretion of the staff.
Address: 33 Lake Road, CA12 5DQ
Opening Times: Sun-Thu: 12:00-22:00 / Fri-Sat: 12:00-23:00
Square Orange
The Square Orange, lovingly nicknamed “the squorange”, is a vibrant and easy-going cafe that makes a paw-some hangout at any time of day. Whether you and the pooch “pup” in for morning coffee and cake or come in to play board games and have a tipple to while away a rainy evening.
There’s a continental flavour to the food as well as the vibe since there are stonebaked pizzas and tapas to try. This cafe/bar is a local favourite in Keswick, not least because it’s always dog-friendly.
Address: 20 St John's Street, CA12 5AS
Opening Times: Fri-Wed: 10:30-22:30 / Thu: 12:00-22:30
More pubs: Lake District, Windermere, Peak District