South Cumbria is home to some of the best walks and hiking destinations in the UK. It's also a fantastic place to take dogs along and let them stretch their legs out in the open countryside. 

Many pubs, cafes and restaurants in the region know this and below, we've selected ten of the most dog-friendly establishments in the region and what they can offer your furry friends.

The Sun Inn, Crook near Kendal

Welcoming customers in with the motto "dogs and muddy boots are welcome", the Sun Inn dates back to 1711 with stone floors and roaring fires in the winter. Staff at the traditional Lakeland inn welcome pooches with treats and even invite customers to submit pictures of their pets to feature on the website's gallery.

The Flying Pig, Bowness-on-Windermere

The Flying Pig is a family friendly Lakeland pub positioned close to several popular walking routes. As such, the traditional pub is a great destination for hikers and welcomes dogs into its bar areas. 

There are also dedicated taps and bowls outside where they can enjoy a refreshing drink alongside their owners.

The Clarence Inn, Dalton-in-Furness

This real ale pub welcomes all well-behaved dogs. Dog snacks are on the bar and customers can ask the bar staff for a bowl of H2 paw (water) for their four-legged friends.

The Fizzy Tarte, Bowness-on-Windermere 

The Fizzy Tarte is a luxury café serving cocktails, champagne, brunch and afternoon tea. The establishment encourages people who have visited with their pooches to leave a review on the Dog Friendly review site so other dog owners can find them.

Round House Hub and Cafe, Barrow-in-Furness

The Round House Hub and Café is a ZEST Community Asset Development Project and a 'not-for- profit' CIC. It is ideally placed on a great dog-walking beach providing outdoor seating where pets can have a drink of water or a doggy ice cream.

Their humans can order hot and cold food, drinks, snacks and ice cream.

The Bay Horse Hotel and Restaurant, Ulverston

This traditional, comfortable coaching inn welcomes dogs as much as it does cyclists, walkers, anglers, golfers and birdwatchers.

The hotel encourages local dog owners to like its Facebook page in case their furry friends get lost. As dog lovers, owners and staff recognise that there is a strong possibility they may be found along the nearby canal or at the canal foot and have re-united many walkers with their pets. 

The Masons Arms Inn at Strawberry Bank, Grange-over-Sands

Referred to as 'one of the best pubs in Cumbria’ and a ‘Lakeland institution’, the Mason's beautiful terrace comes alive with the sound of laughter, happy chatter and the yaps of our four-legged friends in the summer. The pub even has its own loveable and slightly greedy pub dog Bess and even a resident cat Called Tommy.

The Strickland Arms, Sizergh near Kendal 

The Strickland Arms sits on the egde of the Lake District and prides itself of being very dog friendly. Overlooking the entrance to the historic Sizergh Castle, near Kendal,  the building itself has all the best of the traditional features of the area which includes a fabulous feature fireplace inside with adroned with two magnificent ornamental Spaniels.

Abbey Mill Cafe Shop, Barrow-in-Furness

This delightful coffee shop provides locally roasted coffee, hand-made ice cream, breakfast, lunch, takeaway afternoon tea boxes. Located next door to Furness Abbey, there is an excellent space for dogs to run in the amphitheatre field nearby.

There are also two resident dogs, Daisy and Willow.

Heidi’s Grasmere Lodge, Grasmere

Heidi’s Grasmere Lodge is a charming 19th-century bed and breakfast hotel offering luxury accommodation in the centre of Grasmere Village. The accommodation unfortunately isn't dog-friendly however its cafe very much is.

Staff take polaroid pictures of your pet to put on the wall even having a dog of the day. There are also treats and water for your furry loved ones.