Explore the Cotswolds with your dog by your side
Planning a getaway to the Cotswolds with your dog? You're in the right place. With miles of scenic trails, postcard-perfect villages and cosy cottages where dogs are not just allowed but warmly welcomed, the Cotswolds is one of the best places in the UK for a dog-friendly holiday.
Whether you're strolling through honey-stone streets, exploring open countryside or relaxing in front of a fire after a long walk, our collection of dog-friendly cottages in the Cotswolds offers everything you need for a paw-some escape.
Why choose a dog-friendly holiday in the Cotswolds?
The Cotswolds is packed with things to do with your dog. With over 800 square miles of rolling hills and picturesque paths, it's a haven for walkers and their four-legged friends. From peaceful riverside strolls to woodland wanders and hilltop hikes, the region is perfect for off-lead adventures and sniff-worthy exploration.
Along the way, you'll discover dog-welcoming pubs, cafés, gardens and attractions – not to mention some of the prettiest villages in the country, like Bourton-on-the-Water, Chipping Campden and Stow-on-the-Wold.
Best dog-friendly walks in the Cotswolds
Looking for the best places to walk your dog in the Cotswolds? Here are some of our favourite routes:
- The Cotswold Way – a scenic 102-mile National Trail with dog-friendly sections, perfect for countryside rambles and panoramic views.
- Broadway Tower and deer park – enjoy sweeping views from the second-highest point in the Cotswolds. Dogs on leads are welcome throughout the parkland.
- Blenheim Palace Grounds – while the palace interiors are off-limits, dogs can enjoy miles of open parkland and lakeside trails on a lead.
- Cleeve Hill – the highest point in Gloucestershire, offering spectacular views over the Malverns. Pups need to be on a lead between March and July due to livestock.
- Barrow Wake – a great off-lead spot for walkies, through grassland and woodland. Far-reaching views included.
Dog-friendly attractions and activities
If you're wondering what else you and your dog can do on a Cotswolds holiday, here are a few standout options:
- 🛤 Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway – dogs are welcome aboard, making this a relaxing way to see the countryside.
- 🍺 Dog-friendly pubs – many village inns like The King's Head in Bledington, or The Bell Inn in Selsley welcome dogs inside and out.
- 🪴 Painswick Rococo Garden – a historic garden with whimsical design where dogs on leads can join you for a peaceful wander. Little ones will love the fairytale castle and maze.
- 🏡 Market towns and villages – visit Cirencester, Burford and Winchcombe, to name just a few, where dogs are a common sight in shops, markets and tea rooms.
