Cofa Pike

YHA Grasmere Butharlyp Howe (opens in new tab) hostel

about 4.0 km from the start, in a straight line

Not independent, so it sits below the independents - but it is by a distance the best-equipped bed in this radius for a family with small children and wet kit: cot, high chair, baby changing, a shared drying room and laundry, breakfast from 07:30 and meals until 20:00, and under-10s eating for £1. The two things that would turn people away are stated in its own words and carried here: dogs are banned except on the campsite, and under-16s must be with an adult.

Worth knowing: “Dogs: Pets are not permitted at YHA Grasmere Butharlyp Howe, except in our Camping & Cabins accommodation. Assistance dogs are welcome - please notify us at the time of booking.”

A Victorian mansion in its own grounds off Easedale Road; under-10s eat for £1, and the hostel holds a Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge (105538).

• Drying room “Shared drying room Shared laundry room Shared lounge Shared TV Unlimited breakfast Water refill station WiFi”
• Family rooms “What our private rooms offer Bed linen Central heating Cot available Heating Hot water Lock on doors Smoke alarm”
• Evening meal “Breakfast is served to guests daily from 07:30 – 09:00. Meals are also available from 17:00 – 20:00.”
• Packed lunch “With tasty breakfasts, packed lunches and evening meals, groups are sure to find something delicious to eat at YHA Grasmere Butharlyp Howe (see sample menu ). Meal plans range from bed and breakfast up to full-board catering.”
• Parking “The property has a small car park 200m from the hostel with limited free spaces for guests and patrons. This car park is controlled by an ANPR parking system.”
• Children “Guests under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 years or over to stay at YHA.”

The Swan (opens in new tab) hotel

about 3.7 km from the start, in a straight line

Not independent, and here only because of one sentence a family with a baby has to read before booking: it has proper family rooms with bunks, but it will not give you a travel cot. Beyond that it is the most straightforwardly equipped roadside base near Dunmail Raise - free car park behind the inn, food all day, two dogs at £15 a night each.

A 1650 coaching inn that Wordsworth put into The Waggoner in 1806, reopened after a multi-million-pound refurbishment with 46 bedrooms.

• Dogs “When you book direct, up to two of your four-legged friends can be added to your booking for £15 per night.”
• Family rooms “Family Room with Bunks 4 Spacious family rooms with a double bed, an en-suite bathroom and bunk beds perfect for children.”
• Evening meal “At The Swan Grasmere, guests can enjoy a menu full of pub classics prepared with freshly sourced ingredients. From hearty breakfasts and light bites to generous evening meals, our seasonal menu celebrates the best of the Lake District's flavours.”
• Parking “We offer complimentary parking at The Swan car park to the rear of the inn for guests only. Space is limited on a first come, first served basis and we do not under any circumstances reserve or guarantee parking spaces.”
• Children “Guests Adults Ages 13 or above Children Ages 12 or below For large bookings, please call us on 01915 803610”

Rothay Garden (opens in new tab) hotel

about 3.9 km from the start, in a straight line

Carried for one reason and it should be read that way: it states a dog charge - £30 per dog per night - and a walker arriving with a dog needs that number before booking. Its cached page is a 6 KB group marketing summary that answers nothing about children, family rooms, parking or meals, so it is ranked last of the recommendations and is not offered as a family option.

It has a spa on site with hydrotherapy, a herbal pine sauna and heated infra-red loungers - the only spa in this radius.

• Dogs “Your furry friends will love Grasmere's expanse of fells and dales — that's why we're dog-friendly. We charge a fee of £30 per dog per night, with a doggy gift bag, bowls and a woofing good bed included.”