Dog Friendly Cottages in the Cotswolds
Welcome to the largest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England. The Cotswolds is what the English countryside is supposed to be. It’s the kind of rural beauty you see on the front of postcards and in the works of England’s most celebrated painters. It’s green hills and gentle streams are the stuff of fairytales. And if you’re looking for a place to let your pooch roam free, they make for the perfect getaway.
Spread across Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire and Worcestershire, the Cotswolds is a mix of unspoiled walking routes, picturesque picnic spots and delightful dog-friendly restaurants. Not to mention, it’s home to some of the best holiday homes in Britain. So what are you waiting for? The award-winning beauty of the Cotswolds awaits.
Beautiful scenery means brilliant walks
As we’re sure you know, nothing gets our four-legged friend more excited than the word ‘walk’. While a simple outdoor stroll doesn’t sound like the most imaginative way to spend your vacation, trust us when we say that the walking routes of the Cotswolds offer something exceptional. This is no mere meander through the local park. This is walking within the heart of rural England.
As the largest patch of internationally recognised beauty in England, you don’t have to look far to find an award-winning walking route in the Cotswolds. Just about every country land and Cotswolds village is part of one National Trust approved path or another. If you’re after a Dog Friendly Cottages recommendation, however, we suggest the short, circular route through Harford Bridge in Norton.
Over three relatively flat miles, you’ll pass through a range of scenery and wildlife. You’ll journey through the deserted medieval village of Lower Hartford, the area surrounding Nauton Village and a small section of the Windrush Way, the wood-lined trail linking the Cotswolds to the Oxfordshire Way. In the summer months, the greenery is buzzing with local critters and a stunning selection of wildflowers are in bloom.
Britain’s most picturesque picnics
What do you think pairs best with fantastic walking routes? Well, here at Dog-Friendly Cottages, we’d say it’s a bag full of delicious local food. The Cotswolds is home to dozens of traditional market towns and villages, each hosting at least one outdoor farmer’s market. From the world-famous traders of Chipping Campden to the river-side stalls of Bourton-on-the-Water, wherever you stay, you’re sure to be near at least one place where you can pick up premium picnic supplies.
If you’re feeling adventurous, why not pack a bag full of local ales and artisan cheeses, and make for the summit of Cleeve Hill? At 330 metres above sea level, this is the highest point in the Cotswolds. As well as being the best place for impressive holiday snaps, your dog is sure to have a brilliant time bounding down the hillside.
There’s a Cotswolds cottage for every occasion
Scattered across the Cotswolds are some of the best pet-friendly cottages in Britain. With much on offer, we’re sure that somewhere amongst the picturesque picnic spots and world-class walking routes, lies your dream holiday home.
Maybe you’re looking for a little extra decadence? Well if that’s the case, how does a detached cottage with a hot tub in a private garden sound? Or if cosiness is more your thing, why not sample a Cotswolds stone cottage, situated near a traditional country pub? We’ll even make sure you have a roaring open fire, that you and your pooch can curl up in front of, after a long day exploring the local landscape.
Local dog-friendly businesses
Cotswold Lavender
High on the hills overlooking Broadway and the Vale Evesham you can visit over 90 acres of stunning lavender fields where on this family farm they produce the purest lavender essential oils. The incredible views of miles of rich purple lavender provide a stunning spot to explore with your pooch. In a typical English summer, the lavender fields should start to come into flower mid-June, with the best time to see them early-mid July but it can differ year to year with the weather.