1 / 8The Forest Side
Grasmere, Westmorland and Furness
Yes. Dogs can stay in 6 dog friendly rooms, up to 2 dogs per room.
A Victorian mansion beneath the fells at Grasmere, with a Michelin star and a bed, bowls and treats waiting for dogs in the north wing.
Built in 1853 of Lake District slate and stone, The Forest Side is a twenty-bedroom Victorian mansion beneath the fells in Grasmere, with 43 acres of its own grounds and woodland for a morning wander with your dog before breakfast or one last outing at the end of the day. The walking is on the doorstep of this dog friendly hotel: step out of the door and Grasmere, Rydal, Loughrigg and the Langdales are all waiting to be explored.
Six of the bedrooms, in the north wing of the house, take up to two well-behaved dogs each, and a bed and bowls will be waiting for them, along with a few treats to help them feel at home. Beds are crafted to the house's own specification. Ask ahead if your dog can settle in the room during dinner, as the hotel doesn't say.
Dogs aren't able to join you in the lounge or the restaurant, and the hotel makes sure you know everything you need before your stay. The restaurant holds a Michelin star, and the cooking is ingredient-led, drawing on its own kitchen garden and trusted Cumbrian producers, and the drinks include the house's own spirits, beers and garden infusions alongside a wine list that champions organic and biodynamic growers.
The team knows the surrounding fells, lakes and valleys well and will point you and your dog towards a route, from a gentle circuit from the door to something more ambitious, and Fairfield Horseshoe from Rydal is 1.7 miles away on Wildpack's map, with Drigg Beach, our nearest dog friendly beach, 19.1 miles off.
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
- 6 dog friendly rooms
- Dogs per room
- Up to 2
- Size or breed limits
- The hotel doesn't say
- Dog fee
- The hotel doesn't say
- Left alone in the room
- The hotel doesn't say
- In the bar
- The hotel doesn't say
- In the lounge
- Not allowed
- Eating with your dog
- Not in the dining areas
- In the grounds
- Welcome
- Dog extras
- Dog beds, bowls and treats
- Walks from the door
- Yes
- Nearest dog friendly beach
- Drigg Beach, 19.1 miles
Where the hotel doesn't say, check with the hotel when you book.
Book your stay
The Forest Side is booked through Booking.com. Tell the hotel you are bringing your dog when you book.
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For You
- Eating and drinking
- Fine dining. Michelin star
- Views
- Countryside views
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Forest Side dog friendly?
Yes. Dogs can stay in 6 dog friendly rooms, up to 2 dogs per room. This comes from The Forest Side's own website. Details can change, so check with the hotel when you book.
How many dogs can I bring to The Forest Side?
Up to 2 dogs per room.
Is there a charge for dogs at The Forest Side?
The hotel doesn't say whether it charges for dogs, so check with the hotel when you book.
Can I eat with my dog at The Forest Side?
Dogs aren't allowed in the dining areas.
Can I leave my dog in the room at The Forest Side?
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 The Forest Side?
The hotel says there are walks straight from the door. Dog friendly walks on Wildpack within 5 miles include Fairfield Horseshoe from Rydal (1.7 miles), Grasmere to Rydal Water (1.9 miles) and Elterwater to Skelwith Bridge (Langdale Valley) (2.4 miles).
Is there a dog friendly beach near The Forest Side?
The nearest dog friendly beach on Wildpack is Drigg Beach, 19.1 miles away. Check its page for any seasonal dog restrictions before you go.
Check dates and availability for The Forest Side
Book now with Booking.comWhat’s Nearby?
Walk1.7 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.
Walk1.9 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.
Walk2.4 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.
2.5 mi awayBaysbrown Farm Campsite
Cumbria
A dog friendly campsite on a working Lakeland sheep farm at the entrance to the Great Langdale Valley, where you turn up, pick your spot and walk out from the field.
Walk2.8 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.
Walk2.9 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.
Dog Friendly Hotels Nearby
The closest dog friendly hotels to The Forest Side. Every dog fact comes from the hotel's own website.
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All dog friendly hotels in Westmorland and Furness