1 / 8Skelwith Bridge Hotel
Ambleside, Westmorland and Furness
Yes. Dogs can stay overnight.
A farmhouse and corn mill turned country house hotel near Ambleside, where dogs eat with you in the Talbot Bar and fell walks begin at the door.
Once a farmhouse, corn mill and hostelry dating back to the 17th century, Skelwith Bridge Hotel has been converted and extended into a country house hotel a short drive from Ambleside, and its 28 en-suite rooms keep the charm of the original building. Fell walking starts right from the doorstep, and inside, dogs are treated as members of the family, which makes this a dog friendly hotel for walkers and their dogs alike.
Well-behaved dogs are welcome, and the hotel asks that they stay on leads inside and come in as clean and dry as you can manage after a day out. Treats wait at reception and in the Talbot Bar to reward good behaviour, there are fresh bowls of water, spare doggy bags are kept at reception, and a bin at the front of the hotel is set aside for them. Which rooms are kept for dogs, and how many each can take, the hotel doesn't state, so ask before you book.
Dogs aren't permitted in the main restaurant, but you can eat with your dog by your side in the snug or the Talbot Bar, and the bar has a VIP menu made just for them. The Talbot Bar serves traditional Lakeland comfort food from noon, with Jennings ales, Lakeland Bedrock gin and whiskies from The Lakes Distillery, and it holds Cask Marque accreditation for its ales. Afternoon tea, booked a few days ahead, comes with scones, pastries and a glass of Prosecco.
The Grasmere Suite has its own private entrance at ground floor level. Two of Wildpack's walks are close enough for a morning out with the dog: Elterwater to Skelwith Bridge (Langdale Valley) and Loughrigg Fell (Ambleside), both 1.0 miles away.
Facts checked October 2026 from the hotel's own website. Details can change, so please confirm anything important, especially the dog rules, with the hotel before you book.
At a Glance: Dogs
- Rooms for dogs
- The hotel doesn't say
- Dogs per room
- The hotel doesn't say
- Size or breed limits
- The hotel doesn't say
- Dog fee
- £10 per night
- Left alone in the room
- The hotel doesn't say
- In the bar
- Welcome
- In the lounge
- The hotel doesn't say
- Eating with your dog
- In a dog friendly dining area
- In the grounds
- The hotel doesn't say
- Dog extras
- Treats, bowls, poo bags and a dog menu
- Walks from the door
- Yes
- Nearest dog friendly beach
- Drigg Beach, 18.4 miles
Where the hotel doesn't say, check with the hotel when you book.
Book your stay
Skelwith Bridge Hotel is booked through Booking.com. Tell the hotel you are bringing your dog when you book.
Book now with Booking.comWe may earn a commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you.
For You
- Eating and drinking
- Afternoon tea
- Rooms
- Ground floor rooms and suites
- Children
- Children welcome
- Awards
- Cask Marque
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Skelwith Bridge Hotel dog friendly?
Yes. Dogs can stay overnight. This comes from Skelwith Bridge Hotel's own website. Details can change, so check with the hotel when you book.
How many dogs can I bring to Skelwith Bridge Hotel?
The hotel doesn't say how many dogs you can bring, so check with the hotel when you book.
Is there a charge for dogs at Skelwith Bridge Hotel?
£10 per night.
Can I eat with my dog at Skelwith Bridge Hotel?
You can eat with your dog in a dog friendly dining area. Dogs are welcome in the bar.
Can I leave my dog in the room at Skelwith Bridge Hotel?
The hotel doesn't say whether dogs can be left alone in the room, so check with the hotel when you book.
Are there dog walks near Skelwith Bridge Hotel?
The hotel says there are walks straight from the door. Dog friendly walks on Wildpack within 5 miles include Elterwater to Skelwith Bridge (Langdale Valley) (1.0 miles), Loughrigg Fell (Ambleside) (1.0 miles) and Grasmere to Rydal Water (1.0 miles).
Is there a dog friendly beach near Skelwith Bridge Hotel?
The nearest dog friendly beach on Wildpack is Drigg Beach, 18.4 miles away. Check its page for any seasonal dog restrictions before you go.
Check dates and availability for Skelwith Bridge Hotel
Book now with Booking.comWhat’s Nearby?
Walk1 mi awayElterwater to Skelwith Bridge (Langdale Valley)
Cumbria
Excellent riverside access, relaxed off-lead potential and a dog-friendly café at the finish make this one of the most enjoyable easy walks in the Lakes.
Walk1 mi awayLoughrigg Fell (Ambleside)
Cumbria
Open fell, a tarn for swimming and good off-lead potential across the upper sections make this a strong choice; loses a point for boggy ground and enclosed farmland on the lower approaches.
Walk1 mi awayGrasmere to Rydal Water
Cumbria
Varied and scenic with good water access, but livestock near Rydal and busy paths in summer mean leads are needed regularly.
Walk2.2 mi awayFairfield Horseshoe from Rydal
Cumbria
A perfect Lakeland skyline with Wordsworth country at its feet, a classic dog friendly ridge loop for strong hill walkers.
Walk2.2 mi awayWansfell Pike via Stockghyll Force
Cumbria
A waterfall, a town favourite and a fine little summit above Windermere, a dog friendly half-day loop straight out of Ambleside.
Walk2.3 mi awayTarn Hows
Cumbria
Gentle, accessible circuit with good water access and relaxed off-lead potential; leads needed near the car park and in busier sections.
Dog Friendly Hotels Nearby
The closest dog friendly hotels to Skelwith Bridge Hotel. Every dog fact comes from the hotel's own website.
Booking links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you.
All dog friendly hotels in Westmorland and Furness