Welcome to Oakhill Veterinary Group – Trusted Vets in the Lake District

At Oak Hill Vet Group, we are proud to be one of the leading veterinary practices in the Lake District, caring for pets across Cumbria with compassion, expertise, and dedication. From routine check-ups and vaccinations to advanced diagnostics and surgery, our friendly team of Lake District vets is here to support your pets at every stage of life.

Our mission is simple: to provide exceptional veterinary care in the Lake District while building lasting relationships with pets and their families. We combine modern facilities with a personal, caring approach – making sure every visit is stress-free, reassuring, and tailored to your pet’s needs.

A brief history of Oakhill

1950s
Alec Bell establishes the practice in Queen’s Drive Windermere
1960s
The practice continues to branch out from farming to household pets
1973
Tony Sansom joins the practice taking over from Alec Bell
1978
Steve Dodwell joined the practice
1978
Worldwide PARVO virus epidemic mass vaccination clinics held in the streets
1982
Moved to Oakhill building from Queen’s Drive
1982
Matthew Stables does his work experience aged 11
1982
Ambleside branch opened on Church Street
1988
Di Williams joins the practice
1984
Tony Sansom undertakes ground-breaking embryo transfer work
1989
Tony Sansom rears ostriches in Ings
1980s
One of the first practices to computerise (it conked out two days later – thanks to a puppy chewing through the wires)
1991
Steve’s thumb is bitten off by a badger
1993
Steve undertakes successful mare caesarian in the field
1996
Di joined the practice as a receptionist and nurse (still a friendly face today)
2001
Foot & Mouth strikes
2001
Julie Crowe joins as Ambleside receptionist (still smiling today)
2002
Matthew Stables and Janet Fox join the practice
2002
First ultrasound equipment installed
2003
Deer rescued from upstairs of Vinegar Jones chip shop, Bowness
2004
Steve has a finger bitten off (this time by a dog)
2004
Amy Ducksbury, our future head nurse, joins the practice
2005
Oakhill Windermere surgery redeveloped
2007
Tony Sansom retires
2012
Matthew Stables elected as President of the Lakeland Veterinary Association
2014
Alex Kirby joins the practice
2015
Helen Ash and Kathryn Sharpe join the practice
2016
Steve Dodwell retires with what’s left of his fingers and Tina Nurse (not a nurse, a vet) and Jen Harris join the practice.
2017
First referral orthopaedic surgeries carried out
2018
Marcelle Cassar joins the practice
2018
Treated our first lemur
2018
Treated our first kangaroo (it had a sore knee)
2018
Cat arrives in the wheel arch of a bus from Cornwall
2018
Surprisingly Steve Dodwell and his remaining digits come back Oakhill grows to a 8 vet practice (well 7 but Steve can’t let go)
2019
Animal Rehabilitation Centre (ARC) built to treat and support
2020-2021
COVID-19 Outbreak. All consults held in the car park to prevent spread of infection
2022
Stance Analyser arrives. This will allow us to perform gait analysis
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We intend to move up permanently to the Lake District in a few years time and are so happy that we will have such an excellent veterinary practice as yours when we do. Everything about your practice is spot on and your Facebook page is great at showing both your care and love of animals and also the friendliness of the Oakhills team.

Mrs Lewis
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Thank you and all your staff for the fantastic help you have given our RSPCA Branch over the last 30 years. Having worked with you as a RSPCA Inspector, then after my retirement as a re-homing trustee of this branch, I have witnessed firsthand your dedication to animal welfare and your support for our Branch. We really appreciate all the work you have done over the years, above and beyond the call of duty and the financial help you have given us to treat and neuter hundreds of rescued dogs, cats and rabbits.

Alan Green(RSPCA Westmorland Branch Trustee)
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To all the staff at Oakhill, Thank you for all your help, support and kindness with Bracken - you're all amazing!

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To everyone at Oakhill Vets - Thank you so much for the many years of wonderful care you have given to Minnie. I enjoyed coming to see you even if Minnie didn't!

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"Thanks for my new leg, I can now jump on the sofa!" From Bramble and her Mum & Dad

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“Fergus is doing so well and we cannot thank you both enough for the wonderful job you did to repair his hernia. You really took time to explain everything to us and we felt instantly, that Fergus was in safe hands. It’s hard to believe he had an operation at all as he has been so happy, energetic and comfortable. He is pooing normally and every time he does, he gets very excited and runs round wagging his tail! He is eating & sleeping well too.
Please can we also thank your wonderful nurses who cared for Fergus post op and your smiling, caring reception team! They were so lovely and really helped make us feel we were in the right place!”

Fergus following Perineal Surgery

Our team

Knowledge, experience and understanding are the cornerstones of our fantastic team here at Oakhill. All the team are or have been pet owners themselves and fully appreciate how important your furry, scaly or feathered family members are to you. We think the very best patient and client care can only be built around a strong team and we are thankful to everyone at Oakhill and the part they play.

Meet the team