Lottie Gross is the author of Dog-Friendly Weekends: Cotswolds, a brand-new guidebook for dog owners looking to explore the National Landscape and its surrounding towns and cities.
I’ve spent the last five years travelling around the UK and Europe in search of the best dog-welcoming destinations to put in my dog-friendly travel guides, but few places I’ve visited rival the Cotswolds. This rural region has captivated me for decades – I’ve lived on the outskirts of it for most of my life – and it was where I had my first ever dog-friendly holiday.
There’s an astonishing breadth of experiences to be had here, from a dog-friendly wildlife park to small town museums, and endless epic walks on the myriad trails and footpaths that criss-cross this gorgeous green land. But there’s no denying that the Cotswolds can be a busy place, and so getting away from the crowds is essential if you’re bringing the dog. Here three of my favourite dog-friendly destinations for quieter breaks in the Cotswold countryside.
This busy little town just outside Cheltenham has the best of all the Cotswolds’ assets: quaint cottages, cracking country pubs, rolling hills for long dog walks and a magical ancient monument worth the uphill hike. And best of all, its main attractions are all dog-friendly. Bring yours to sniff about the magnificent 15th-century church with its collection of curious grotesques on its exterior, peering down at passers by in the churchyard, and explore the brilliant town museum on the High Street where you can see a piece of meteorite that fell on a local couples’ driveway back in 2021.
Don’t miss a wander up to the 50-metre-long Belas Knap Long Barrow – ideally at sunrise for the most arresting experience – which was built in 3000 BCE as a burial for important members of the prehistoric community living here. Of course, no visit to Winchcombe is complete without a view of Sudeley Castle – dogs can’t go inside the castle or the grounds, but you can walk them in the hills around the wider estate where you’ll get wonderful views of the Tudor home.
Where to stay: Campers will love Winchcombe Camping & Caravanning Club site, which has a huge dog field for off-lead fun. For a proper roof over your head, book Primrose Cottage right in the town centre, which has its own enclosed patio to keep the dog safe while you breakfast al fresco.
There are several reasons to visit Tetbury: historic architecture, the police museum, walks in the surrounding countryside. But the best part for dogs is undoubtedly a visit to its utterly charming Tetbury Pet Shop – a boutique so refined your pet may well get ideas above their station. Run by Amelia and Alastair, the pet shop stocks myriad natural treats and chews for dogs, all tried and tested by their own delightful labrador, Nairobi. You can buy beautiful handmade collars and leads, grab a plush dog bed, or simply treat your pooch to a pup cup with sprinkles.
There’s excellent walking in Tetbury, too, with the Westonbirt Arboretum right on its doorstep. Dogs can join you for off-lead adventuring around Silk Wood, where you’ll also find the treetop walkway for an alternative view on the forest.
Where to stay: The Close Hotel has beautiful bedrooms and dog-friendly dining in its lively bar, while the Hillside Cottage offers a window on what it’s like to live in one of the town’s many charming cottages.
Tiny Painswick might not seem like the sort of place you should linger for more than a few hours, but one of the greatest pleasures of visiting this utterly delightful little town is waking up without the crowds and taking the dog for a trot about its quiet lanes before the visitors descend. Take some time to follow the town heritage trail, marked by a series of information boards that tell quirky stories about the madcap characters that have made history here, including the intriguing Arts & Crafts movement creatives that came here in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Wander with the dog around St Mary’s Churchyard, where you’ll find 99 strikingly manicured yew trees lining the footpaths and surrounding the gravestones, and nip into the cutesy boutiques and cafes tucked away on hidden lanes to buy locally-made artworks and ceramics – Arts Cafe is a favourite.
Of course, this town is famous for one core thing: the Rococo Garden. Dogs can join you on a lead to explore this delightful landscaped garden with its follies and mazes. For dogs who love to run, book an hour at The Edge enclosed dog field to let them race around off lead on the slopes of this undulating part of the Cotswolds.
Where to stay: The Painswick Hotel is a beautiful spot to spend a night or two; bedrooms have wonderful views of the surrounding hills and you can dine with the dog in the bar area by the roaring fire. For something a little more low-key, The Falcon is a wonderful pub with rooms and plenty of local produce on the menu.