The Kings Arms Hotel

The Kings Arms Hotel earns a 4.5 / 5 paw rating on Four Legged Guests, distilled from twelve confirmed pet-traveller reviews. It is a long-standing dog-welcoming property in the centre of Keswick and the rating reflects a consistent welcome — with one practical caveat around the pet supplement, which we cover below.

The recurring theme in pet-traveller reviews is a thoughtfully prepared welcome on arrival. Guests consistently mention bowls, dog beds and, on request, towels for muddy paws being provided at check-in, which is more than most town-centre inns bother to do. Several reviewers describe staff as exceptionally engaged with their dog beyond the routine pleasantries. The location is the other strong selling point: the hotel sits directly on Keswick’s main street, so the walk to Derwentwater, Hope Park or the start of the Skiddaw paths is short and avoids time in the car. For owners who would rather stretch the dog’s legs straight out of the door than load up first, that is a real practical advantage.

Two things to weigh up. First, the building is an older town-centre coaching inn and access to several of the bedrooms involves walking through the busy pub and up steep, traditional staircases — older dogs or smaller breeds with short legs may find the climb hard work, and one guest specifically noted their dog struggling on the stairs. Some dog-friendly rooms are on the top floor; if access matters, request a lower one when booking. Second, several pet-travelling guests have flagged the dog supplement as being on the higher side compared with other Keswick stays — one example given was around £40 across two nights. The hotel does not publish the figure publicly through Agoda, so confirm the current pet rate directly with the property before booking. Overall, the Kings Arms suits dog owners who value a central, walk-out-the-door Keswick base, a proper welcome pack on arrival, and don’t mind paying a little extra for the privilege.