If you’re looking for somewhere to take your dog, you can’t beat the Cotswolds with its fabulous dog-friendly hotels, cosy country pubs and miles of walks for your canine friends to burn off energy on. There’s also a wide range of dog-friendly attractions in the Cotswolds to help keep you both occupied, with everything from stately homes and grand gardens to wildlife parks and museums. So to help you plan your trip, here’s our pick of the 24 top dog days out in the Cotswolds.
About the list
Our list of dog-friendly attractions in the Cotswolds is split into four sections: gardens, outdoors spaces, museums and attractions, and heritage sites. Each entry gives details of any restrictions on dogs (leads etc) and is marked with a price category to give you an idea of how expensive they are to visit (for the humans that is – any extra fees for canine visitors are listed in the entries below).
- Free
- £: under £10
- ££: £10–£20
- £££: over £20
Gardens
Painswick Rococo Garden
Painswick Rococo Garden (££) is the last surviving Rococo garden in the country. Among its beautiful trees, shrubs and flowers you’ll find follies, viewpoints and decorative details. It’s one of our favourite dog-friendly attractions in the Cotswolds throughout the year, from snowdrops in spring to a Christmas light trail, with dogs on leads allowed in the gardens and café.
Cerney House Garden
The romantic Victorian walled gardens at Cerney House (£) have been beautifully restored, with herbaceous borders, sculptures and a working kitchen garden. Dogs on leads are welcome to explore the gardens with you. And with wildlife and woodland walks through 40 acres of Cotswold parkland there’s plenty of room for even the most energetic spaniel to tire themselves out.
Westonbirt Arboretum
With 2500 different tree species from across the world, the National Arboretum at Westonbirt (££) is colourful year-round, with trails to follow in each season. Two thirds of the arboretum is open to dogs – and with 600 acres in total that leaves plenty of space. Well-behaved hounds can explore the Silk Wood off-lead, and they can also visit the Downs, Treetop Walkway and cafés on-lead.
Batsford Arboretum
Dogs are also welcome at Batsford Arboretum (£), west of Moreton-in-Marsh. It’s known for its spectacular Japanese ornamental cherry trees in spring and red and gold-leaved maple trees in autumn. Your dog can join you in the arboretum, garden centre and café, but they must be kept on a short lead. Batsford also hosts a special ‘Doggy Day’ with a canine massage therapist.
Iford Manor Garden
Italy comes to the Cotswolds at Iford Manor Gardens (£), close to Bradford on Avon in the south of the region. They were created by Edwardian landscape architect Harold Peto, who was inspired by Italian, Byzantine, Roman and Oriental designs. Dogs on leads are welcome in the gardens – and don’t miss the award-winning, dog-friendly Iford Manor Kitchen restaurant.
Cotswold Lavender Fields
The beautiful Cotswold Lavender Fields near Snowshill (£) are open to the public from mid-June to August each year, when their blooms are at their fragrant best. Dogs on short leads can join you to explore the show fields and wildflower meadows – with lots of great photo opportunities. Drinks and snacks are also available at the Lavender Cabin, as well as lavender products to buy.
Outdoor spaces
Cirencester Park
With 3000 acres of grounds, Cirencester Park (£) is dog-walking heaven. There are several marked routes through the park and woodland, including some where dogs can go off-lead. And why not combine a walk in the park with a visit to the appropriately named Old Kennels, where you can have lunch in the dog-friendly Roots + Seeds Kitchen Garden or Cattivo pizza restaurant.
Cotswold Lakes
Just south of Cirencester, the Cotswold Lakes (formerly known as the Cotswold Water Park) has miles of footpaths and bridleways for your pooch to stretch their legs on – and no hills to tackle. They can even ride in a pedalo with you at the Cotswold Country Park and Beach. Just be sure to keep dogs out of the water and on a lead near the lakes so they don’t disturb the wildlife.
Woodchester Park
Woodchester Park (free) near Stroud is a secluded wooded valley, with the remains of an 18th- and 19th-century landscape park. It has three waymarked trails – covering 1.7 to 7 miles – which are perfect for dog walks, passing lakes, viewpoints and a historic boathouse. Dogs should be kept on leads (short ones if near livestock) and are welcome in the outdoor seating at the café.
Woodchester Valley Vineyard
Close to the park is the award-winning Woodchester Valley Vineyard, whose sparkling wines give Champagne a run for its money. Although you can’t bring your dog on their regular tours, they run a special Vineyard Tour and Dog Walk (££). These monthly events include a welcome drink, a walk through the vines, a tutored tasting of three wines and tasty biscuits for your dog.
Greystones Farm Nature Reserve
Greystones Farm Nature Reserve (free) on the edge of Bourton-on-the-Water is a great place to escape the crowds. The Rivers Dikler and Eye flow through its wildflower-rich meadows, providing an important habitat for birds and wildlife. There are two marked walking trails – the Wildlife Walk and Time-Travel Trail – though as it’s a working dairy farm dogs must be kept on a lead.
Blenheim Palace Park
Grand Blenheim Palace (£££) is one of the region’s most impressive stately homes. Dogs aren’t allowed in the palace itself, but they are welcome to explore the 2000 acres of parkland surrounding it, as long as they’re kept on a lead. You can also bring dogs into the first part of the Walled Garden and the Pantry Café, which has dog water bowls available and doggy ice cream for sale.
Museums and attractions
Cotswold Farm Park
Countryfile presenter Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park (££) is one of the area’s top family attractions. Although dogs aren’t allowed into the farm itself due to the other animals, they can come with you to the visitor centre, Ox Shed restaurant and bar. There’s also a dog-friendly Wildlife Walk (with one- and two-mile routes) and guided dog walks on the first Sunday of each month.
Cotswold Wildlife Park
At the Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens (££) you can bring your dog along to meet the lions, rhinos, giraffes and penguins. The park covers 160 acres of gardens and parkland and is home to 260 different species. Dogs on leads are allowed in most outdoor areas of the park, but not the indoor animal enclosures, anywhere with free roaming creatures or in the restaurant and shop.
Cotswold Motoring Museum
The Cotswold Motoring Museum and Toy Collection (£) in Bourton-on-the-Water is heaven for vintage vehicle fans – and you’re welcome to bring your four-legged friends along (perfect for a rainy day). There are seven showrooms to explore, with classic and vintage cars and motorcycles dating back as far as the 1900s, alongside historic toys, games and automotive memorabilia.
Birdland Park and Gardens
Another popular spot for visitors to Bourton is the Birdland Park and Gardens (££). The park has over 500 resident birds, including flamingos, emus, pelicans, parrots and the UK’s only group of King Penguins. You’ll also find life-sized dinosaur models in the Jurassic Journey section. Dogs on short leads are welcome, with plenty of space and water bowls for thirsty pooches.
Dragonfly Maze
Last of our trio of dog-friendly places to visit in Bourton-on-the-Water is the Dragonfly Maze (£). This traditional hedge puzzle comes with a twist. Your canine friend can test their navigation skills through the maze (though they ask that you keep dogs on a lead and bring a supply of poo bags just in case) while you follow the clues to solve the puzzle and find the Golden Dragonfly.
Tetbury Police Museum
One of the quirkier dog-friendly attractions in the Cotswolds, Tetbury Police Museum (free) tells you everything you could want to know about local crime and punishment – and you can bring your dog along too. There’s a real prison cell and a mock 1950s court complete with judge and lawyers. You can also see the largest collection of British handcuffs, plus photographs and artefacts.
Bibury Trout Farm
Located in the picturesque village of Bibury, Bibury Trout Farm (£) is the oldest working trout farm in England, producing hundreds of thousands of Brown, Blue and Rainbow Trout each year. You can see the fish being fed, or try your hand at fishing and book a BBQ to cook your catch. Or just have a picnic in their lovely grounds. Dogs are welcome at the farm, but must be kept on a lead.
Heritage sites
GWSR steam train
Your pooch can explore the Cotswolds in vintage style on board the Gloucestershire-Warwickshire Steam Railway (£££). This heritage railway runs for 28 miles between Cheltenham Racecourse and Broadway, stopping in Winchcombe and Toddington. Dogs on leads are welcome on the train (other than in the carpeted carriages and the buffet) at a cost of £4 each for up to two dogs.
The Broadway Tower
At the second-highest point of the Cotswolds, the Broadway Tower (£ grounds only) is a fairytale folly with views across 16 counties on a clear day. Dogs aren’t allowed inside the tower, but there are 50 acres of grounds to explore (though the resident deer mean they must be kept on a lead), with picnic spots and dog-friendly seating areas in the Morris and Brown and Tower Barn cafés.
Stanway House
Jacobean mansion Stanway House (££) south of Broadway is best known for its spectacular fountain, which shoots water up over 300 feet. The house and gardens are open on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from June to August. It’s one of the Cotswolds’ most dog-friendly stately homes, with pooches on short leads allowed in both the house and gardens.
Newark Park
National Trust site Newark Park near Wotton-under-Edge has a stunning setting among lush hills overlooking the Severn valley. This former Tudor hunting lodge has been loving restored, and is surrounded by 700 acres of grounds. Dogs on leads are welcome throughout the garden and estate, but not inside the house. There’s also a tea pavilion with outdoor seating on the lawn.
Kelmscott Manor
Kelmscott Manor (££) near Lechlade was the summer retreat of artist and designer William Morris, who described it as ‘heaven on Earth’. It’s open to visitors Thursday–Saturday from April to October. Dogs are only permitted in certain areas – the meadow, barns and outdoor seating – so it’s useful to visit as a pair or group so you can take it in turns to visit the house and walled garden.
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