Skiddaw Hotel

Skiddaw Hotel sits right in the pedestrianised centre of Keswick, and it makes an easy, practical base for anyone heading into the Lake District with a dog. This is a proper four-star town-centre hotel rather than a self-catering let, and it leans into the dog-friendly side of things with the small touches that pet-owning guests tend to notice. A dog bed and bowls are put out in the room at no extra cost, and reception hands over door tags so you can flag that a dog is inside when you head down for breakfast.

Staff are the part that guests travelling with dogs praise most. The team is used to canine arrivals and tends to be flexible: during one spell of bad weather they reshuffled bookings so a couple could extend their stay rather than fall back on a washed-out camping trip. Breakfast is generous and varied, and the general standard of the rooms is clean and comfortable.

The location is the real draw. The hotel is a few minutes' walk from Derwentwater and Hope Park, with the climbs up Latrigg and Walla Crag starting close by, so there is plenty of varied walking on the doorstep before you ever need the car. The central car park sits directly behind the hotel, and reception can add parking to your bill rather than sending you hunting for a space.

A couple of things are worth knowing before you book. Dogs are not allowed in the main restaurant or, for most of the week, the bar, so meals and evening drinks with a dog happen in the front conservatory - a pleasant spot for watching the street, though it can fill up at busy times. Rooms are carpeted rather than hard-floored, which some dog owners would prefer for easy clean-ups, and guests consistently mention a nightly charge of around £25 per dog on top of the room rate. It suits calm, well-settled dogs whose owners are happy to take their meals in the conservatory, and with a 4.5 out of 5 paw rating it stands out as a strong, well-located choice for a Keswick break with a dog.