At Camping at Cardewlees, we do not have a maximum number of dogs you can bring onto site.
And truthfully, that is because we want to stay true to who we are.
We are a household of six dogs. Six. So it would feel completely wrong for us to call ourselves a dog-friendly campsite near Carlisle and then turn around and tell families exactly like ours that only one or two dogs are allowed. That is not how we live, and it is not how we want to welcome people here. Camping at Cardewlees already positions itself as a place where kids and dogs have space to stretch their legs, and that is exactly the sort of atmosphere we want to protect.
For us, being dog friendly is not about reluctantly allowing a dog or two. It is about recognising that for many people, dogs are part of the family. They come on the walks, they come on the trips, and they come on holiday too.
People with multiple dogs usually holiday differently
Over time, we have found that guests with multiple dogs often cause less hassle, not more.
That is because people with several dogs tend to plan their whole holiday around them. Their days are usually spent out walking, exploring, and making the most of the local area. Then they come back to site, settle in for the evening, and relax with tired dogs snoozing nearby on a lead after a proper day out.
It is usually a very easy-going sort of camping.
In our experience, the family with three or four dogs who are used to being outdoors often manage campsite life beautifully. They know their dogs, they know what works, and they book places with their dogs in mind. Very often, they are far less disruptive than the poor Labrador tethered outside the tent all day, looking completely baffled by the whole thing because he normally barely leaves the kitchen at home.
That might sound a bit blunt, but it is true.
A dog that is used to walks, adventure, fresh air and being with its people tends to settle far better on a campsite than one suddenly thrown into an environment it is not used to.
We are surrounded by brilliant dog-friendly days out
Another reason we are happy welcoming guests with more than one dog is because there are so many great places nearby where dogs are welcome.
If you stay with us, you are well placed for dog-friendly days out locally and further into Cumbria. Nearby options include Talkin Tarn Country Park, where dog rules are clearly catered for, Carlisle Castle, which English Heritage lists among its dog-friendly places, and Lanercost Priory, another nearby English Heritage site.
For guests heading a little further out, there are more brilliant options, including Hadrian’s Wall and Housesteads Fortwith National Trust dog guidance, Allan Bank and Grasmere, Whinlatter Forest, Muncaster Castle, and the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, all of which are well known options for dog-friendly exploring in the wider area.
Dog-friendly camping should actually mean dog friendly
The truth is, we do not want to make rules that sound neat on paper but do not reflect real life.
We are dog people. Proper dog people. The muddy boots, dog hair on everything, leads in the car, treats in every coat pocket kind of dog people.
So when we say we are a dog-friendly campsite near Carlisle, we mean it.
We want families like ours to feel welcome here. We want people to be able to enjoy the local walks, explore Cumbria with their dogs, and come back to site for a quiet evening with happy, tired pooches at their feet.
That is far more in keeping with the sort of campsite we want to run than setting an arbitrary number that excludes the very people we most relate to.
So no, we do not have a maximum number of dogs on site.
Because if we did, we would be ruling out families exactly like our own.
And that would never sit right with me.
Do you have enclosed pitches?
Yes we do!
We designed our dog friendly pods near Carlisle with dogs in mind. We get told again and again that having the enclosed garden is game a changer.
We also have an enclosed pitch with a hot tub if you want a little bit of luxury whilst Camping at Cardewlees.
Can my dog run free?
We are desperate to install a dog park and it is definitely on the list. But probably behind the whole in my kitchen ceiling and my garden fencing 😂.
But we do have a track that leads from the campsite into the village that is fully enclosed and if your dog is sociable, all I will will say is that I can’t see the track from the house! 😂
Do you discriminate against any breeds?
We don’t discriminate against anyone! So why would be any different when it comes to dogs! We totally understand that the current hysteria in the media means that people are scared and have every right to be cautious.
But dead beat owners of dogs subject to breed specific legislation are not researching campsites that they can visit. They have probably disposed of their dogs already. So in reality all this legislation does is penalise responsible owners!
Do you charge for dogs?
We love them ❤️ but they do generate more mess 😂
So yes, we charge £2 per dog per night for our camping options and £5 per dog per stay for our glamping options!
This income normally goes to the children as you can often find them on site doing “the poo round”.
