The Canine guide to the Cotswolds

This is the ultimate guide to dog-friendly places to visit with your canine companion. More and more visitor attractions and places to eat across the Cotswolds are inviting you to bring your dog with you. It’s great news for those that love to treat their hounds to a holiday. The Cotswolds is a superb holiday destination for those that love exploring the great outdoors; the region is home to wonderful landmarks and country parks to sniff out with your dog.

Find your next dog-friendly cottage in the Cotswolds. We have some pawsome holiday cottages across the area - from Cheltenham Spa to Broadway and from Woodstock to Tewkesbury - for you to stay in whether you are heading here with the whole pack or just your top dog!

Read on to discover why we think you and your four-legged buddy will adore the Cotswolds.

What have we got to get tails wagging?

The best W-A-L-K-I-E-S in the Cotswolds

Unless your dog is very lazy or very, very old, it probably loves a long walk and a runabout. The Cotswolds is a fabulous holiday destination for pup parents as there is a plethora of beauty spots and landmarks to venture off to. 

Broadway Tower and Country Park

If your dog loves open spaces and room to play, then Broadway Tower and Country Park is a superb choice. Besides bounding about, you and your pet will be able to take in some amazing views of the nearby countryside in addition to a dazzling encounter with the eye-catching Broadway Tower. 

Tewkesbury Abbey Gardens

Head over to Tewkesbury’s grand 11th-century abbey which has some pretty gardens and a large park behind it for your dog to run and play unheeded. There’s even a shallow river for your canine to splash about in. Bliss!

Crickley Hill

Crickley Hill has some seriously fantastic views for you and your dog to go gaga over. With a whole bunch of exciting trails on the hill that weave past limestone quarries and areas of woodland, there is something for everyone. Crickley Hill is one of the best-loved visitor attractions in The Cotswolds. It is one of our favourite destinations for doggy day trips in the region.

Head to Canine Cottages’ in-depth, fun guide Top 10 dog walks in the Cotswolds for even more inspiration.

Sniff out the best attractions in the Cotswolds

Doggy ‘me’ time can’t be ignored. We’ve all sat back and marvelled at the way dogs relish their freedom, tearing around a field or woodland with such inspiring abandon, so a holiday is a perfect time to let them indulge to the maximum. Sadly, not all places welcome dogs in this way, but so many more do. Here is an introduction to some of the best dog-friendly visitor attractions in the Cotswolds.

If your dog loves the trees…

Head to Westonbirt Arboretum, a wonderful haven of peace and tranquillity. Trees cast a strange spell over each of us, humans and dogs alike. Find out first-hand at this wonderful spot or at Batsford Arboretum, also in the Cotswolds. 

If your dog loves adventure…

Drag them aboard a steam train with you.  The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) is a heritage line that takes you on a lovely journey through the Cotswolds countryside. Your dog will adore the experience; new scents and views await.

If your dog loves exploring…

Woodchester Park is a superb choice for you and your dog. Acres and acres of wild parkland and woodland are there for your discovery. There are scent trails to tease out and you can enjoy the Cotswolds countryside at its most unspoilt.

Our full guide to top dog attractions will get you and your mutt in the mood to go bonkers in the Cotswolds countryside.

Dog-friendly places to eat and drink

Searching for a place where you can enjoy some quality food with fang-face can be tricky. However, there are lots of dog-friendly eateries out there so don’t let preconceptions stop you looking. When it comes to the Cotswolds, you are in for a big surprise as there is a very big choice of pubs, restaurants, takeaways and cafes that welcome our four-footed mates. We love food as much as dogs do, so we have sniffed out some excellent hostelries where you can get some lovely meals with the dog in tow.

Best for breakfast

The early dog gets the sausage, to mangle an overused proverb, but you might not want to share your delicious breakfast at Tisanes Tearooms in Broadway; well, maybe if your doggy has been very well-behaved… 

Pet-friendly pubs

Dogs can curl up at your feet as you enjoy a pint of ale and a hearty meal in this gorgeous Cotswolds pub, the Duke of Wellington in Bourton-on-the-Water.  

The ultimate takeaway

All good dogs know that chippy chips are the best chips. Bond over the diet cornerstone of the British holidaymaker with your faithful chum at Russell’s in Broadway. Best chippy in the world, some say. 

We’ll keep this paragraph short as we all know dogs love to eat. Who doesn’t? To find even more lip-smacking grub emporiums that welcome dogs, head to our gourmet guide.

Sit, stay and lie down in the Cotswold’s most dog-friendly cottages 

We have a very large selection of wonderful dog-friendly properties across the Cotswolds for you to choose from. We offer some great extra features which make our hound-heavenly accommodation a bit out of the ordinary. You will encounter pet-friendly additions that could include kennels, dog beds, enclosed gardens, and for very fortunate pooches, there could even be welcome packs filled with delicious treats and fun chew toys. 

The Alpaca Retreat

Cosy property for you and your pup – For a cosy break with you, your partner and your doggy deep in the countryside, consider a holiday at The Alpaca Retreat near Bicester. 

Clattercote Cottages

Exceptional property for multiple mutts - You can take four dogs with you to this lovely large prospect, Clattercote Cottages, which sleeps ten guests in comfort. 

Garden Spa

Lovely property for young families with a hound – Early holidays for children are great, especially if the dog comes along too to enjoy the fun! Stay at Garden Spa near Bourton-on-the-Water. 

Visit our amazing collection of self-catering dog-friendly holiday cottages in the Cotswolds, or see our favourite dog-friendly Cotswold cottages, and make it your ‘pup-most’ priority to get booked for your next vacation.

Where will you stay during your escape to the Cotswolds?