New Dog Friendly Hotel Discovered

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I’ve always driven past the Borrowdale Gates Hotel when going to walk up Cat Bells or around Derwentwater. It doesn’t look an overly big hotel which I like and I’ve heard from others the food is good and it says it has been refurbished in the last couple of years. Combined with the location in one of my favourite places around Keswick, the Borrowdale Valley, well it’s always somewhere I’ve wanted to visit.

borrowdale gates hotel

Borrowdale Gates Hotel in Keswick

My problem has been of the four legged variety. I know I should have just rung to enquire but it never crossed my mind. It now transpires the hotel is dog friendly. What makes this hotel very well suited to taking dogs is the ability to have a ground floor room, always a preference in my book when taking my little friends along with me when I stay somewhere. These ground floor rooms also happen to have doors opening directly out into the grounds. The ease of being able to head straight outside is excellent and every dog owner should understand, not everyone is a dog lover! We then don’t have to walk our dogs past those funny none dog lovers!

border collie chilling

Mac the Border Collie chilling out on his hols

Keswick is a particularly dog friendly part of the Lake District. Even the town centre is with dogs allowed in almost all public houses and even some cafes and shops. There is quite some choice of dog friendly places to stay, hotel, bed and breakfasts, self catering cottages and the biggest thing, the endless places to walk dogs and the freedom they enjoy when out.

Right, I’m off to book!
The Borrowdale Gates Hotel Keswick
Grange-in-Borrowdale, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5UQ

 

All is not lost!

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Beaches are great. Take Seascale and Drigg beaches for example – miles and miles of sandy goodness, dogs have oodles of space to run around, dogs stay relatively clean (when you have 2 rough haired collies that live in the house, this is a factor, believe me!), balls bounce and are rarely lost etc, etc.

The only problem with coastal and beach walks, the tide. Tide times significantly effect when a beach walk can be taken. At sunrise or sunset, what is better than talking the dogs for a walk with nearly a mile of sand before hitting the sea, amazing! But, getting there to realise there’s an inch strip of sand, not practical, good or safe.

seascale beach cumbria

Hey Jenny don’t worry, what about the dunes at Drigg?

But what sets Seascale and Drigg apart is that all is not lost should tide times be miscalcaulated or unknown. Seascale has an excellent path running through its shallow dunes where it goes from the Boat Club right up to Selllafield, past the golf course. Drigg is even better as the dunes, with one side being a Site of Special Scientific Interest, is where some distance can be walked, the tide making no impact. The dunes walks are signposted and a map is located of the paths at the kissing gate. The dunes walks are really quite special having the view in front of Black Combe and Corney Fell and over to Ravenglass, the sea to your right and looking left the striking Wasdale and Eskdale Valleys. Rarely in a location can such diverse landscapes be viewed and admired. Combine that with great paths that due to the sandy soil, never flood, and it’s dog walking haven.

 

 

Mac and Cam Recommend – Windermere Marina Village

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Hi, I’m Mac and Me and the other dog that now lives with us (Cam) were treated to a weekend away last weekend. We’d not been on one for a while, apparently due to it being cold but I suspect it’s something to do with the small Border Collie that has infiltrated my life. I really shouldn’t complain though as I’ve heard we may be going on others during the year which after last weekend, makes me even more excited.

We went for 3 nights and stayed in a self catering cottage on the edge of Lake Windermere at Windermere Marina Village. It  was ace. There were a few of our kind there which made walking out fun although there were a few of those Black Labradors that I don’t like but never mind, the Springer Spaniel called Daisy made up for that. Cam wasn’t half as bad as at home, I think he must have been out of his comfort zone a bit so he was quite quiet, yes! I got millions of belly rubs being as he wasn’t bothering our owners much.

dog friendly windermere marina village

View of Windermere Marina Village who have dog friendly cottages to stay in.

We had loads of space for walking about in the holiday cottage and for our beds. In fact, they had offered me and Cam a bed to sleep in but we had our own. I did take advantage of the water bowl they provided as it was much better than mine at home though.

We all went on a lovely walk on Saturday, quite some miles I’m reckoning. Cam was bushed as he’s only just coming up to 6 months old (can’t wait for him to really grow up). We got a few tip bits of steak when they had they’re meal, we are very lucky.

On Sunday we went to a dog friendly pub nearby called the The Ship. We got doggie biscuits, it was brill.

I’ve overheard our owners saying how much they enjoyed it so all in all, being as me and Cam liked it too, I’d say it was well worth going to visit.

Dog friendly cottages in the Lake District at Windermere Marina Village.

 

Easter Sunday Walk in the Lakes

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As hinted in a previous post, Easter Sunday we set off to the other side of the county for a walk and some food. As I said previously, this was a treat both for us and the dogs, a full day out, long walk, different part of the Lake District and some good nosh for us.

We couldn’t have asked for a better day, wall to wall sunshine and even though it was chilly, that is just the perfect combination for walking in my eyes. We decided on doing Wetherlam as we’d both never done it before having always done Coniston Old Man or the Langdale Pikes when going over this way previously.

border collie easter walk

Mac trying to resist the butties on our Easter walk!

It also seemed a good idea to stay away from those more popular fells being Easter Sunday and all. The dogs absolutely loved it and it was Cam’s first proper fell walk which showed as by the end, he was shattered. He’d probably done a little too much as between him and Mac, they will have clocked up at least twice as many miles as Mike and I!

Getting back to the car and we had a thought about trying Langdale way for dinner but we remembered about Sarah recommending a place at Far Sawrey so we decided to head over to it. My good friend and fellow Border Collie owner Sarah said the Cuckoo Brow Inn was well worth trying out and it was dog friendly. I can confirm, it was well worth going. The dogs were treated within an inch of their lives both in terms of food treats and strokes! We were too with the food. I had hot pot (how can anyone resist red cabbage) and Mike had fish and chips. We were all really impressed and especially in terms of it being so dog friendly.

 

Dog Profile – Cam

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border collie snow

He’s me in the snow

Cam here. I’m a 5 month old Border Collie and I turned upside down the life of Mac in the previous profile. I didn’t want to disappoint so here I am to introduce myself.

My primary mission day to day is to annoy Mac and to steal anything of his. He’s an easy target although it seems that he’s starting to stand up to my puppy mischief more and more now. I’m growing at a rate of knotts though so he’d better watch it.

I absolutely love running around whereever and whenever I can and I’m getting quite fast now. If I’m not running around then I very much like digging holes, I’ve done a couple of cracking deep ones this week. The downside is I get really dirty but once I’ve come in the house and rolled on the carpet I’m as clean as a whistle.

border collies asleep

Using Mac is a pillow again

I am completely perfect apart from a couple of issues I’ve heard humans comment on. Apparently, I jump up too much but it’s just me being affectionate. They utter the words “nothing is safe in this house”. For some unknown reason they think I steal items from the kitchen worktops and coffee table but I just need to familiarise myself with handcream, ear plugs, sandwiches and wine corks, I’m a puppy, it’s socialisation isn’t it?!

I’ve met some really nice people recently and each new person gives me lots of fuss which is ace isn’t it.

Easter Egg-Tastic Walk Planned

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Firstly, apologies for the post title. Just watched Saturday Kitchen and the omelette challenge puns are stuck in my head.

Have you bought your four legged friend an Easter egg? I must confess, I haven’t bought either of mine a doggie Easter egg but I will be treating them to an Easter Sunday walk, surely more enjoyable for all concerned?

As an extra treat to them (and us!) we’re going to go for something to eat afterwards. The dogs always seem to do very well on the treat front in the places we take them in so if we get some good food too, everyone’s a winner!

We’re thinking of going over Langdale/Hawkshead way, pretty, a change from over here and some good places for food. You know when you’re off work and it’s holiday time, despite only venturing a few miles, you still want to feel as though you are a million miles away.

Dog Profile – Mac

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border collie profile

Here’s me looking all demure and handsome

Hi, I’m Mac and I’m a 2 year old Border Collie. I am a born and bred West Cumbrian who loves being out on the fells, running through long grass and laying out in the garden chewing my Nylabone.

I’m not a big fetcher or retriever of a ball but if I do have a ball in my mouth, I love to be chased particularly around the garden, bushes and hedging but also around the dining table.

I’m not a fruit lover, how anyone like oranges, apples and bananas is beyond me but carrots I go mad for. Obviously being a dog, I love sausages and probably anything other than fruit really.

mac the border collie in teh snow

Here’s me guarding my property

I’ve not really got any bad habits, well maybe one or two. I jump on the bed, mainly when I’m muddy and there’s clean sheets on. Oh and I am quite protective of my house and bark quite a bit when anyone comes to visit/walks past/puts anything through the door. I occasionally wander off to sniff somewhere and become deaf when anyone calls me back. Oh, and I do like to pull on my lead, isn’t being off it so much more fun though……

My life was turned upside down 3 months ago when another one of my kind was brought into my house. His name is Cam and I like him sometimes but sometimes he gets really on my nerves. He’ll introduce himself at a later stage.

 

Dog Friendly Ullswater Cottages

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Ullswater is stunning part of the Lake District. So easy to get to from the M6 and with close proximity to the North Pennines making it feel quite different to most of the other notable lake locations in the Lake District.

The areas surrounding Ullswater Lake are sprawling with a real sense of openness making it an ideal dog friendly location. Miles and miles of great paths for walking miles of open countryside and it is a place where dogs really feel welcome.

ullswater lake

Mac looking down to ullswater

Glenridding and Pooley Bridge at either ends of the Lake are tourist hot spots whilst everywhere in between is full of peace, space and tranquility. Glenridding and Pooley Bridge are however excellent places to get fed and watered! Most pubs in both of these two villages are dog friendly.

In terms of dog friendly then are not just dog friendly pubs and attractions but also whatever type of accommodation you wish including bed and breakfasts, hotels and self catering properties. Self catering is always a good option with a dog and the variety on offer in the Ullswater area is vast ranging from the small and basic to large and luxurious. The Ullswater area is a specialist area for Goosemire Cottages where a choice of dog friendly Ullswater cottages can be found.

Seascale Beach on the West Cumbrian Coast

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The fells aren’t for everyone and it’s worth remebering when visiting the Western Lakes that this area is also framed by miles of coastline.

We’re reviewing and championing Seascale beach today as a great place for dog walking. I think anyone that is local will agree, it really is a popular spot for dog walking all year round. Beaches are so good for dogs allowing them the most amount of public outdoor space to run around and Seascale is no exception and with great views to boot.

Seascale beach dog walking

View out to sea on Seascale beach

To the north and St Bees Head can be seen, to the south Black Combe and Corney and across the sea, on a clear day, the Isle of Man is in sight. There is only a few metres of shingle and stones before just masses of sand where fetch and chasing can be done in an abundance. When walking south on Seascale beach, if you keep going you’ll reach Drigg where the valleys of Wasdale and Eskdale will come in view as well as the estury at Ravenglass. Drigg has miles of sand dunes that can be a handy escape from an incoming tide. Tide time shsould always be noted when walking on any of this coastline as they can come in very fast.

Dog walking seascale

Mac+Cam on Seascale Beach

From a practical and amenity point of view, Seascale has an excellent and large and free car park, a shop, butchers, chemist and ice cream parlour and a train station. The train station being right on the front and an excellent means of travel to Seascale with dogs.

Irton Pike and Parkgate Walk

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The forests of Irton Pike and across the road at Parkgate are super places for dog walking all year round. They are within the Eskdale Valley in the Lake District and are popular walking routes for locals as well as tourists.

Due to the nature of the landscape, both forests have gradients and superb views especially Irton Pike from its summit where you can see Great Gable, Kirk Fell and Wastwater. The tall conifers give shelter from the rain and being the Lake District, this type of weather occurs quite frequently! They also give shelter from strong sunlight in the summer, particularly handy for dogs that do not cope with sun that well, i.e. my rough haired Border Collies. Long, thick, dark coats combined with infrequency of hot weather means they don’t know how to cope! And of course, forest walks are ideal places to head to when its lambing time as it is right now.

Parkgate Forest Walk

Cam in Parkgate Forest

Parkgate has excellent gravelled paths making it a relatively clean walk (good if you require the dogs not to be covered head to toe in mud!) and good underfoot so walking boots aren’t necesscarily required. Parkgate leads onto and connects to further woodlands so it works both as a route for a stroll or a longer walk.

Parkgate Eskdale

Mac+Cam on forest path