With countless country walks on the doorstep, sprawling gardens and cosy rooms, our dog friendly hotels in the Cotswolds are just perfect. The Cotswolds is made for dogs and it has been a real pleasure to watch Cotswold hotels adapt to canine guests.
Despite the area’s almost manicured appearance, there are over 3000 miles of public footpaths and bridleways across the Cotswolds. This really is doggy heaven. There are many dog friendly attractions and you’ll see plenty of village dog shows throughout the summer.
Usual dog walker rules apply in the Cotswolds. Keep dogs on a lead near sheep, especially lambs, and show the usual consideration in pubs.
Here are some great spots for dogs:
Broadway Tower
This famous beauty spot overlooks Broadway and has views for miles around. There’s a great circular walk from Broadway village and you can also explore the Cotswold Way from here. Russell’s of Broadway or Cotswold House in nearby Chipping Campden are both dog friendly hotels in the Cotswolds.
Also in the area, you’ll find Cotswold Lavender. Instagrammers make a beeline for this most photogenic of Cotswold attractions. It’s a corner of the Cotswolds that will forever be Provence.
Hailes Abbey is a bit of a hidden gem. Dogs can roam around a destroyed Cistercian abbey (another casualty of Henry VIII’s struggle with Rome). This atmospheric place is great for a spot of conker hunting in the Autumn.
Gloucestershire’s two Arboreta, Batsford and Westonbirt, really come into their own at this time of year too, although the two do get very busy at peak autumn colour time.
Cotswold Wildlife Park
With its white rhino and giraffes, this might seem a bit of a surprise inclusion. This popular attraction has so much space, including some beautiful gardens that it’s not an issue bringing dogs here.
To escape the crowds, head to one of the Cotswolds ancient monuments. Belas Knapp, near Winchcombe is a Neolithic site. The walk has a steep start and leads to a secluded burial mound with views back towards Sudeley Castle. Further south near the picturesque village of Painswick, Painswick Beacon is a local beauty spot with stunning views over the Bristol Channel and views over to Wales.
When you’re setting out from your dog friendly hotel in the Cotswolds, it’s a good idea to plan where you’ll have lunch in advance. Cotswold pubs are part of the experience of any great day out. The good news is that dogs are positively welcomed in so many. So, here are ten of our favourites:
Ebrington Arms
The Ebrington Arms has a great atmosphere and a quiet village location. Bonus points for the open fire and good food. The Carpenter’s Arms Miserden is a real old Gloucestershire pub, with a cider menu and a largely avocado and quinoa -free menu. Lunch or dinner here is hearty, with vegetables from the pub’s own garden. The Black Horse at Naunton is set in the hugely undiscovered piece of Cotswold perfection that is the Windrush River and its accompanying valleys. The Lion Inn, Winchcombe is handy for nearby Sudeley Castle. It’s a bit of a newcomer, but the food is great and the pub’s reputation is soaring. The Snowshill Arms is in the heart of this lovely village. It was used for the winter locations in Bridget Jones’s Diary and serves Donnington Ales. The National Trust Snowshill Manor is within walking distance.
The Kingham Plough
A classic Cotswold pub situated on the village green. Ingredients tend to be very local indeed. We once saw a guest ask where the cheese was from and the waitress pointed through the window and said “over there”. Alex James, “the cheese bloke from Blur” also lives nearby, as does Jeremy Clarkson and (whisper it) David Cameron, although he, er, seems to keep a low profile these days. Nearby, the King’s Arms in Bledington also sits on the village green, complete with maypole.
We can vouch for the rooms at the wonderfully named Village Pub at Barnsley, which is everything a village pub should be. Barnsley, not to be confused with the northern Barnsley, is near the ‘must see’ village of Bibury, with its slow-flowing trouty streams and wooded valley slopes. If you go, take the short walk to Ablington to experience a bit of old Cotswolds.
Not so far away, we love the New Inn at Coln which is one of the best pet friendly hotels in he Cotswolds. The Hollow Bottom at Guiting Power is a tried and trusted gem – another proper Gloucestershire pub set in farming country. Adam Henson, the BBC Countryfile presenter farms nearby. Bring your dog and be prepared to talk about horseracing and you’ll fit in fine here.
For the jockeys
Speaking of horse racing, the Plough Inn Ford is so close to Jackdaw’s Castle (home of Jonjo O’Neill’s racing stables) that the jockey’s and trainers have their own short cut to the pub. If you’re in the area in asparagus season, don’t miss asparagus, home made ham and new potatoes here – one of the great Cotswold experiences.
Dog Friendly Hotel of the year
Finally: props to Lords of the Manor, not a pub, but this hotel is the 2019 Good Hotel Guide Editor’s Choice Dog Friendly Hotel of the Year. To celebrate their title, until the 23rd December dogs get to stay free. If accompanied by their owners of course.
Hopefully you’re inspired to bring your dog to the Cotswolds now. You can be sure of a warm welcome.