Exploring St Bees with dogs

We all love a holiday with our four legged friends, and the Lake District and Cumbria is an ideal place for a getaway with your dogs. With beach walkies, seaside swims and dog-friendly pubs, St Bees is an ideal spot for a dog walkers holiday… 

Please note when adventuring with your dog to be aware of livestock and keep your dogs on leads when passing.

  • Dog friendly walks in St Bees

Dogs love exploring the seaside as much as we do and here in St Bees, there are plenty of beachy walks for your dog to explore with an added swim in the sea!

- St Bees Beach

The mile long stretch of St Bees beach is ideal for a dog walk! Starting at the village, the beach is easily accessible and has its own car park. Walk along the beach towards St Bees Head and let your dog have a little swim and run around before visiting the dog friendly Hartley’s café.  Make sure to clean up after your dog to keep up the beaches reputation for being sparkling clean!  The St Bees coastal area was awarded the ENCAMS Seaside Award for its cleanliness.

  • St Bees Head Cliff Walks

Explore the coastal footpath along the top of the cliffs from the village, up to St Bees Head. It is advisable to keep your dog on a lead due to the cliff edges and the RSPB Nature Reserve. To combine the cliff route with a little beach walk, detour down onto Fleswich Beach where it is said you can find precious stones amongst the pebbles. Here, you’re dog can have a little swim before returning back to the village. If you wish to extend your route, you could continue on along the cliffs to Whitehaven and get the dog-friendly train back! 

  • Dog friendly accommodation in St Bees

No one likes leaving their dog at home when they go away, so finding dog friendly accommodation is always a relief. Luckily, there are a few options in St Bees…

  • The Seacote Hotel

Situated on the border of St Bees Beach, The Seacote Hotel dates back to 1849 and is still as popular today as it was then. The friendly, family owned hotel offers stunning seaside views and provides dog-friendly rooms with their own outside access and lounge area for a small, additional cost. The hotels close proximity to the beach is ideal for walkies!

  • Seacote Gardens

Seacote Gardens is a semi-detached holiday home set in St Bees, allowing easy access to the village and the beach. The home is ideal for dogs due to its close proximity to beach walks alongside its private, enclosed garden. There is also a nearby children’s playground, making this spacious house ideal for families with dogs.

  • Seaside Cottage

The Seaside Cottage is a self-catering, wooden clad beach style cottage situated in Coulderton around 12 minutes away from St Bees. The cottages seaside location makes it ideal for dogs, allowing them to explore the sand and nearby beach walks. The spacious cottage is great for larger families sleeping up to 5 people with 1 dog.

  • Dog friendly pubs in St Bees

After a walk amongst the sea-air, a pint and doggy treat is a must for tired owners and poochies. Here in St Bees, there is a range of pubs that are welcoming of sandy, muddy boots and paw prints… 

  • The Oddfellows Arms

The Oddfellows Arms is a small, family run pub located in the village of St Bees providing a warm welcome to both dogs and their owners. The pub has a cosy, traditional atmosphere offering local ales and live music. The pub doesn’t serve food regularly except for certain nights such as their weekly pie night. The pub has on outdoor seating area for the summer and an open fire for colder months where your dog can curl up next too! Ask behind the bar for a dog bowl and treats.

  • The Manor 

A country inn situated in St Bees, The Manor is a traditional, dog friendly pub serving a selection of real ales and homely food amongst a beautifully decorated interior boasting wooden beams and a log fire. The pub welcomes four-legged guests and has their own branded ‘Country Village Inns’ dog bowls for water and biscuits!

  • Queens Hotel

A pretty, traditional village pub in the middle of St Bees village, The Queens Hotel is a cosy bar with original oak beamed ceilings and a roaring log fire. The hotel also offers a beautiful beer garden for summer days with plenty of space for your dog to explore. Four-legged friends are allowed in all parts of the pub which serve cask ales and traditional, Cumbrian meals. Ask behind the bar for a doggy water bowl and biscuits.