A Dogs Day Around Grasmere

Explore Grasmere Village and the surrounding Lake District through the eyes of a well-travelled dog and his people. 

Meet Stirling, a 9-year-old Border Collie who has just relocated from the USA to the UK. After over 3000 miles of travel, one thing is for sure - this pup is ready to stretch his legs! But before the fun can start, he's got to find a place to rest his weary head. Lucky for us, we found the perfect base for Stirling and his people at the Daffodil Hotel & Spa.

For Stirling’s person, it was a significant relief to find a 4-star spa hotel that allowed dogs to stay after the long journey. And even better, it is only a 10-minute walk from Grasmere village.  With a place to stay secure, the adventure can finally begin (after an incredible night's sleep).

Only a 30-minute walk from the hotel, Rydal Cave is a popular destination for visitors to explore. This circular walk is moderate, with smooth inclines and a clear pathway, making it perfect for dogs and families alike. There are multiple small car parks in the area, but to avoid a fee, we suggest adding an extra mile to your short hike, as there is a clear, paved path from the hotel to the entrance of the trails. 

Although man-made from years of slate quarrying, the cavern has become a Lake District staple. The water at the front of the cavern is a deep blue, sometimes with ducks swimming in the shallow pond. Plenty of other dogs splashed around, but for the humans who want to stay dry, a stepping stone path takes you deeper into the cave, and from this angle, the jagged ceiling of the cave looks almost teethlike. 

It is popular due to its location, gentle slope, and stunning structure, meaning it can get quite crowded in peak hours. With lots of families and other dogs around in the afternoon, Stirling recommends waking up earlier than usual to see the splendour of the cavern without the interruption of other travellers. The echos can also get loud when there is a crowd, but it's worth the short hike to explore.

You can make your way up to the top of Loughrigg Fell on the same collection of trail paths. Stirling took this as a challenge, found the biggest stick at the very beginning of the trail that was still wooded, and managed to carry it all the way to the top!

It wasn’t an easy way up, and Stirling and his human friends had to take a few breaks. While steep, it’s not impossible! It took around an hour and fifteen minutes to get to the top, with stops for two hikers with mild experience and a very determined Border Collie. The path was mostly uphill with some small scrambles until levelling out near the top into a grassy rolling plane. 

The views are spectacular, with views looking out over Lake and Village Grasmere. We could even see Daffodil Hotel & Spa from the summit! The way down, circling to the other side, was not nearly as steep or unstable, so if you wanted a less challenging hike to the top, you could take that path up and down. It comes right next to Rydal Cave so that you can connect these two walks!

This family-owned and operated pet store sits just on the edge of Grasmere Village. From ‘tail-wagging’ toys to ‘Bone-appétit Bags’ of treats, everything you find in Rose and Ralphs has been hand-selected with loving intentions for our four-legged friends.

They also have an online store, but special treats, toys, and extras might only be found in their brick-and-mortar shop, so make sure to stop by with your pup next time you are in the area. 

While this could also be considered in Stirlings' choice of walks, it's more than that. The Wordsworth Daffodil Garden loops around the Grasmere Gingerbread and sits across from the St. Oswald Church, where William Wordsworth's family graves lie. We were lucky enough to visit in March when the Daffodils had begun sprouting from the slightly wet ground, although we were lucky with a sunny weekend.

William Wordsworth’s famous poem, ‘I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud,’ mentions many of the beauties of the Lake District, specifically the dancing daffodils. This has stuck around for over 150 years since the passing of the English Poet, and daffodils are still a favoured flower in the lake district to this day - acting as the namesake of the Daffodil Hotel and Spa. 

‘With friends, family, your trusted four-legged companion or simply a cheeky quiet pint on your own. Tweedies Bar is the perfect setting for you to enjoy your chosen tipple.’

After returning from our hike up Loughrigg Fell, we found this gem while searching for a cold pint to celebrate our accomplishment. We were drawn in by the active atmosphere on the lawn, with plenty of dogs, which proved its dog-friendliness. After being outside all day, we were happy to see that dogs were allowed inside the bar. The friendly staff and inviting interior, patched in local beer brands' coasters, was the perfect place to relax after a day in the hills.

‘Harleys Bistro is a fully restored Methodist Church in the heart of Grasmere, which caters to breakfast, lunches, light bites and beverages, cakes, and bakes.’

The charm of dining in a restored church called us in. With a high vaulted ceiling and local art for sale on the walls, this was a perfect place to stop for morning coffee and cakes while wandering the village. Dogs are allowed on the outside terrace and in the dining room if they are well-behaved.