The Dog Friendly Map
®
Days Out Are For Dogs Too
Dog-Friendly Hawkshead
Last Updated:
18 Jul 2026
Hawkshead is a traffic-free Lake District village with cobbled streets and whitewashed cottages, tucked between Coniston Water and Lake Windermere. Dogs can wander the cobbled streets and village squares, with footpaths leading directly to Esthwaite Water and Tarn Hows. The village offers plenty of traditional pubs and cafés, independent shops and literary landmarks including the grammar school where William Wordsworth attended. Longer walks reach Grizedale Forest, Wray Castle and the shores of Lake Windermere, all accessible from the village centre.
Explore dog-friendly Hawkshead
Planning a proper dog-friendly weekend exploring The Lakes?
Planning a proper dog-friendly weekend exploring The Lakes?
Read our guide to a gentler dog-friendly Lake District weekend, exploring Hawkshead, Grasmere, Ambleside and Bowness-on-Windermere with good food, easy wandering and no hiking boots required.
Top Dog-Friendly Picks
The Red Lion Inn
A modern craft shop where dogs can browse alongside you, with fresh water, gravy bones behind the till and the chance to join its much-loved #dogsinyarnshops collection.
The Honeypot
A modern craft shop where dogs can browse alongside you, with fresh water, gravy bones behind the till and the chance to join its much-loved #dogsinyarnshops collection.
Furness Abbey
A modern craft shop where dogs can browse alongside you, with fresh water, gravy bones behind the till and the chance to join its much-loved #dogsinyarnshops collection.
Short on time? Start with these three Hawkshead favourites: a central village pub, a welcoming deli and gift shop and a historic monastic ruin.
The Red Lion Inn is a central village pub where dogs are welcome inside, making it ideal for walkers who need a proper sit-down after exploring the fells. There's even a dedicated dog menu to show the welcome is genuine.
The Honeypot is a deli and gift shop in the heart of Hawkshead where dogs are welcome inside, making it an easy stop when exploring the village. It stocks deli items and gifts, and fits naturally into a dog-walking loop.
Furness Abbey is a substantial English Heritage site a short drive south-west of Hawkshead, where dogs on leads are welcome throughout the grounds. The evocative 12th-century ruins make for a heritage-minded dog walk, with a water bowl at the Visitor Centre.
Hawkshead at a glance
Outdoor Access
Footpaths from the village centre lead to the shores of Esthwaite Water, while Tarn Hows is about two miles from Hawkshead via country lanes and public footpaths.
Best Parking
The main car park is on Main Street at the edge of the village and can get busy at weekends and in summer, serving the traffic-free village centre.
Rainy Day Potential
The village has traditional pubs, cafés, tearooms and independent shops in the cobbled centre, plus indoor attractions including the Beatrix Potter Gallery and Hawkshead Grammar School museum.
Best For...
Walkers exploring a traffic-free Lake District village with direct access to Esthwaite Water, Tarn Hows and Grizedale Forest trails.
Nearby Dog-Friendly Towns
Exploring further? These nearby dog-friendly towns are a short drive away and just as useful when dogs need to be welcome inside.
Explore dog-friendly Windermere & Bowness
Explore dog-friendly Ambleside
Explore dog-friendly Grasmere
Easy dog-friendly plans
Quick visit
Hawkshead Village Welcome
1–3 hours · Best for first-time visitors and short breaks
Start in Hawkshead's car-free village centre, exploring the cobbled streets and whitewashed squares on foot. Stop at The Red Lion Inn for lunch and a browse of their dog menu, then visit The Honeypot deli for gifts and local treats. Finish with a fireside pint at Queens Head, where your dog can settle by the roaring fire after the day's wandering.
Half-day plan
Grizedale Forest Day Out
2–4 hours · Best for forest trails and outdoor sculpture
Drive three miles south to Grizedale Forest for a morning exploring the sculpture trails and woodland paths with your dog. The forest offers waymarked routes, outdoor art and proper forest walking where lead-free exploring suits dogs with good recall. Break for lunch at Chesters By The River, a dog-friendly café where muddy paws are welcomed and your dog can settle inside while you refuel.
Longer wander
Heritage and Coniston Circuit
3–5 hours · Best for history lovers and longer explorations
Drive south-west to Furness Abbey for a half-day exploring the evocative Cistercian ruins and grounds with your dog on lead. Head back via Coniston for an afternoon stop at The Crown Inn, where water bowls and treats await behind the bar. Finish at Herdwicks Cafe where your dog gets rugs and free biscuits while you enjoy a proper meal in this welcoming southern Lakes venue.
Is Hawkshead a good place to visit with a dog?
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Yes, Hawkshead is an excellent choice for a dog-friendly visit. The village centre is traffic-free with cobbled streets and whitewashed squares where dogs can wander safely, and footpaths lead directly from the village to Esthwaite Water and Tarn Hows. You'll find traditional pubs like The Red Lion Inn and Queens Head where dogs are welcome inside, plus independent shops including The Honeypot deli. Longer walks reach Grizedale Forest and the shores of Lake Windermere, all accessible from the village centre.
Can I take my dog inside pubs and cafes in Hawkshead?
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Yes, every pub and café shown on The Dog Friendly Map for Hawkshead is included because dogs are welcome inside. Queens Head in the village centre welcomes dogs throughout the downstairs areas, including by the fireside, while The Red Lion Inn offers a dedicated dog menu. Chesters By The River is a café where muddy paws are fine and dogs can settle inside, and Herdwicks Cafe provides rugs and free biscuits for dogs while you eat.
What can I do with my dog in Hawkshead on a rainy day?
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Hawkshead's cobbled village centre offers plenty of indoor-welcome venues for rainy days. You can browse The Honeypot deli and gift shop or Poppi Red's shop and bistro with your dog inside, then settle in at Queens Head where dogs are welcome by the roaring fire throughout the downstairs pub areas. The King's Arms also welcomes dogs in the bar area, making it easy to spend a comfortable afternoon exploring the village without leaving your dog outside in the rain.
What dog-friendly family days out are there near Hawkshead?
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Grizedale Forest, three miles south of Hawkshead, offers waymarked sculpture trails and woodland paths where dogs are welcome, ideal for families who want outdoor art and forest exploring. Threlkeld Quarry and Mining Museum welcomes well-behaved dogs inside the museum building and on the narrow-gauge train rides, making it a genuine heritage day out for children and dogs together. Brockhole on Windermere welcomes dogs across the lakeside grounds, giving families access to play areas and scenic walks without splitting up the group.
Where is the best place to park for a dog-friendly day in Hawkshead?
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The main car park on Main Street at the edge of Hawkshead village is the most practical choice for a dog-friendly day. It serves the traffic-free village centre directly, so you can start exploring the cobbled streets, pubs and shops immediately after parking. The car park can get busy at weekends and in summer, so arriving earlier in the day helps secure a space. From here, footpaths lead to Esthwaite Water and longer routes to Tarn Hows and Grizedale Forest.