The Old Mill Inn

The Old Mill Inn is a boutique inn and country gastro pub just outside Cockermouth where dogs are welcome inside the front and back bar. It's handy for a western Lakes pub stop when everyone needs feeding and nobody's volunteering for pavement duty. Food is served Wednesday to Sunday, with dinner available from 5pm midweek and all-day service at weekends.

Water bowls are put down without fuss and dog towels are available on request if your lot have been testing the puddle theory. The inn has private parking, so you can arrive with a boot full of wet kit and no street-parking drama.

It's a useful base for Cockermouth and the western Lakes, where dog walks tend to involve proper weather and properly muddy returns. The bar and restaurant welcome non-residents, so you can drop in for a meal without booking a room.