PetsPyjamas’ Guide to the Dog-Friendly Cotswolds
Just two hours from London, with honey-coloured villages, rolling hills and brilliant walks – what better place to escape with your canine companion than the pet-friendly Cotswolds.
The name is said to derive from two very English words – Wolds – meaning gentle hills – and Cots – meaning sheep closures and its history dates back to the Bronze and Iron Age with plenty of Roman roads running through the area. From the Middle Ages, the Cotswolds became prosperous from the wool trade and wealthy merchants invested their money in the beautiful churches and houses you can see today.
The area stretches from Oxford, Cheltenham, Stratford and Bath and is Britain’s largest designated Area of Natural Beauty with fabulous dog-friendly walking along the Cotswolds Way – a 102 mile long-distance footpath running along the Cotswolds countryside via the villages of Broadway, Winchcombe, Dursley and Wotton-under-Edge.
It also includes some of the most beautiful towns and villages in the country all with a wonderful array of dog-friendly hotels, country houses and cottages – from Broadway to Burford and Stow-on-the-Wold to the Slaughters to name but a few.
One of our favourite pet-friendly destinations – we have rounded up all the very best pet-friendly country house hotels, boutique hotels and cottages where your dog will feel as welcome as you are.
We’ve also sniffed out the best places for walkies, amazing dog-friendly attractions in the area and fabulous country pubs to stop for a well-earned lunch where your four-legged companion will no doubt be given treats and have the chance to rub noses with other Cotswolds canines.
Bow-Wow Factor
Your dog will love the fabulous dog walks, amazing dog-friendly pubs and attractions, and you will love the absolutely stunning scenery!
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🍽 Dog-Friendly Pubs and Eateries
Dog-Friendly Places to Stay in The Cotswolds
There is a wonderful array of dog-friendly places for you and your dog to stay in the Cotswolds. From truly luxurious country houses or boutique spa hotels to cosy cottages, manor houses as well as charming country pubs, the Cotswolds has it all!
Suitable for all breeds and budgets, our pet-friendly Cotswolds hotels and cottages have all been given our PetsPyjamas paw of approval.
Dog-friendly Cotswolds Hotels
Our PetsPyjamas hotels are all incredibly dog-welcoming; with each one given our paw of approval. Suitable for all breeds and budgets, here are a few of our favourite dog-friendly hotels in the Cotswolds.
The Lygon Arms, Broadway
Set in the beautiful village of Broadway, this historic luxury hotel is super dog-friendly with wonderful gardens for four-legged friends to enjoy and a luxurious spa for humans.
The Fish Hotel, Worcestershire
This fabulous rural bolthole is exceptionally dog friendly, with lots of doggy extras including a DOG agility course. You can choose to stay in a dog-friendly shepherd’s hut or treehouse!
Thornbury Castle, Gloucestershire
This 16c castle is heaven-sent for dogs. With 14 acres to roam and large, baronial rooms, your dog will feel like the king of the castle. There are also pet sitting services on request.
Dog-friendly Cotswolds Cottages
Our PetsPyjamas cottages are super dog-friendly; with each one given our paw of approval. Suitable for all breeds and budgets, here are a few of our favourite pet-friendly cottages in the Cotswolds.
Water Meadow Cottage, Oxfordshire
A super-luxury 200-year-old Cotswold hunting lodge with a river setting on the prestigious Blenheim Palace Estate.
The Hayloft, Great Tew
A spacious bolthole in a gorgeous village of Great Tew, perfect for a family getaway or for a party of friends with furry friends in tow.
Holly Lodge, Lakes by Yoo
With a fabulous setting on Longdoles Lake, this spacious four-bedroom property has gorgeous views across the Lake and extensive entertaining space.
Dog-friendly Pubs & Eateries in the Cotswolds
For those who love their gourmet food and wine, the Cotswolds countryside offers a myriad of dining options from gastropubs to fine dining. The area is teeming with award-winning chefs, Michelin star restaurants and quintessentially English country pubs.
Expect locally grown produce, in wisteria-clad, oak-beamed historic buildings in the prettiest of villages. In addition to the fabulous food and hospitality, you’ll also find that your dog is just as welcome as you are, and may even be invited to rub noses with the locals’ hounds who will be equally pleased to make friends.
Four-legged friends are also welcome in cafes, where they are likely to be offered a treat or two. Treats may also be offered in the pubs, as well as doggy biscuits, their own gourmet food, doggy beer and maybe even a map of local walks too!
There are some fabulous dog-friendly gastropubs in the area that conform to these picture-perfect places with food to match; like the Daylesford-owned Wild Rabbit in Kingham or the Potting Shed in Crudwell, serving pub classics with their own unique spin.
We’ve put together some of our favourite dog-friendly Cotswold eateries where you and your dog can enjoy fine dining, an afternoon tea and perfect gastropub fayre.
Our Favourite Dog Walks in the Cotswolds
It’s true to say that the dog-friendly Cotswolds, the largest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, offers some of the very best walking opportunities in the country. Your dog will love sniffing ancient woodland, running up and down hills, enjoying strolling around historic market towns and villages and swimming in lakes along the way.
The opportunities are boundless whether you prefer to tackle a shorter circular walk or something more energetic for more active dogs. Either way, you will be rewarded with stunning landscapes, gorgeous vistas and a better still happy dog at the end of the day!
Extending from the market town of Chipping Campden to the Roman city of Bath, The Cotswold Way offers over 100 miles (160km) of magical walking. Embark on one of its countless trails with your furry friend and enjoy panoramic views, fresh air and lots of off-lead frolics!
The market towns and villages of Winchcombe, Stanton, Broadway and Snowshill are all charming and can be explored along your way. It runs for most of its length on the Cotswold Escarpment and as well as passing through gorgeous villages it runs close to a number of historical sites, for example, the Roman heritage of Bath, Sudeley Castle near Winchcombe as well as many gorgeous churches.
As well as the lush scenery on your journey the Cotswolds Way passes by some of the most charming dog-friendly pubs along the way.
Dog-friendly Days Out in the Cotswolds
Dogs love adventure. Although they may be happy to enjoy a gentle stroll around the delightful market town or gorgeous village where you may be staying in, one thing they really enjoy is the excitement of getting in the car for an adventure! And the Cotswolds is definitely the right place.
The Cotswolds is not only graced with amazing landscapes but it’s also steeped in rich cultural heritage and history with a plethora of National Trust properties to explore. There really is something for everyone in the family including the dog. With endless places to visit and amazing attractions to see, there really isn’t anywhere better to go than the Cotswolds.
So take your best furry friend for a fabulous day out where they can discover new sights and smells and have wonderful days out in the dog-friendly Cotswolds. There are an amazing array of dog-friendly attractions in this Area of Outstanding Beauty.
We have put together some of our favourite dog-friendly attractions – these include historic houses with fabulous grounds for them to roam, gorgeous landmarks with circular walks where they can run off the lead, Arboretums full of awe-inspiring ancient trees and there’s even a dog-friendly Zoo and steam train.
Must see places
Blenheim Palace and Gardens
Home to the Duke of Marlborough and one of the grandest houses in the country. Explore the amazing Capability Brown-designed lake and grounds.
Westonbirt Arboretum
An awe-inspiring collection of over 2,500 trees to see from the far corners of The Globe. Your dog will love exploring here with places to run off the lead and a fabulous cafe.
Broadway Tower
Climb up the hill from the gorgeous village of Broadway to marvel at this Georgian Folly. Your dog will love the walk up to the top where you will be rewarded with a view of over 16 different counties and a great dog-friendly cafe.
