The Riverside

Paw rating: 4.5/5 — The Riverside in Kendal earns strong marks from guests with dogs, with six confirmed pet-mention reviews averaging 9.2/10 overall. The property sits on the River Kent in central Kendal, with free on-site parking, an easy walk into town, and on-site spa, pool and gym facilities — an unusual combination for a UK dog-friendly hotel.

A useful detail surfaced repeatedly in reviews: the hotel permits dogs to remain in guests' rooms while owners use the restaurant or spa, which makes a longer evening out workable when bringing a dog in tow. The downstairs pub restaurant is itself dog-friendly, so dinner with the dog is also an option. Several reviewers describe staff as welcoming and accommodating toward four-legged guests, with multiple repeat visitors among the dog-mention responses.

One nuance to plan around: while the pub restaurant accepts dogs, one recent guest noted the main dining room used for breakfast did not — worth checking with reception on arrival if breakfasting with the dog at the table matters to you. The hotel lists no specific pet fees, room types or breed restrictions on Agoda, so confirm the current policy directly with the property at booking.

Best suited to couples and solo travellers wanting a Lake District base that pairs dog-friendliness with full-spec hotel amenities. The river-front location, in-town walking access, ability to leave dogs in the room while using the spa or restaurant, and dog-welcoming pub make this a flexible choice for travellers who don't want to compromise on facilities when bringing a dog along.