Dog-friendly holiday review: Lamplighter Dining Rooms


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<p><img src="https://azure.wgp-cdn.co.uk/app-yourdog/posts/lamplighter_diningrooms.jpg" alt="Lamplighter Dining Rooms" />The Fisher Family tell us all about their stay at The Lamplighter Dining Rooms, Windermere in Cumbria with their two dogs Patsy and Tarna...</p>

Lamplighter Dining RoomsAccommodation: Hotel.

Cost: From £99 per room per night, for B&B; minimum stay two nights.

Tested by: Julia, Poppy, and Keith Fisher, with Patsy the Jack Russell and Tarna the Labrador.

The accommodation

This is a family business run by James Tasker (front of house), who has a background in hotels such as The Dorchester and The Savoy, and his brother Alistair (at the helm in the kitchen), who produces creative and inspiring dishes.

The interior of the hotel has been given a general makeover recently. We had a twin-bedded room, which was clean, with tea and coffee-making facilities, and faux leather armchairs. There were lots of plug-in sockets at a sensible height, good Wi-Fi, and a plug-in radiator. The bathroom was very spacious and clean, with a lovely big white bath with shower option, and copious hot water.

At breakfast we were given a table in the window alcove of the ‘dog allowed dining room’ with waitress service, and enjoyed a good full English breakfast. The wood-style floor was a bit slippery for dogs but could be kept clean and dog smell-free, unlike carpet.

On the second night we enjoyed a delicious dinner in the main dining room (without the dogs). It was a tempting, no nonsense menu and the portions were very generous, just the job for anyone who had walked their dog up a few steep fells during the day! I look forward to a return visit next time I have climbed a challenging mountain in the area. I also plan to pre-order one of the Lamplighter’s famous Sunday lunches.

How dog friendly was your reception?

We were warmly greeted by James and made to feel like nothing was too much trouble.

Any added extras for dogs/owners?

The hotel owners are happy for dogs to stay in the rooms, including on the furniture, and to join you in the special dog-friendly dining room. There are endless walks with plenty straight from The Lamplighter door. A doggy welcome pack can be found in the room. The nearby ‘Paws on the Lake’ shop sells doggy accessories and gifts. Patsy and Tarna were offered some sausage in a bowl on the floor at the breakfast table, which they readily accepted!

Out and about in the area

*Local dog-friendly attractions include Windermere Lake Cruises on which dogs travel free all year round.

*The Lake District is the land of walking and two minutes up the road you reach the path to Orrest Head, famously fellwalker and guidebook author Wainwright’s first ascent, and one which gave him a lifelong love of the fells.

At a glance

Charge for dogs? None, if stay is booked direct with the hotel.

Maximum number of dogs allowed? Three per room.

Enclosed exercise area/garden? No.

Can dogs be left unattended? Yes.

Want to find out more?

Contact The Lamplighter Dining Rooms, High Street, Windermere, Cumbria LA23 1AF; call 01539 443547; email [email protected]; visit www.lamplighterdiningrooms.com