There’s no need to leave your four-legged friend at home for your next Cotswold adventure, with SoGlos discovering 18 dog-friendly attractions that welcome every member of the family.
While it’s often required that dogs remain on the lead, these attractions are ideal for two and four-legged visitors to enjoy a day trip, family outing or simply soak up the beautiful Cotswold countryside.
Dog-friendly days out at Painswick Rococo Garden
Complete with amazing architecture, woodland trails and towering trees, the gorgeous Painswick Rococo Garden is perfect for a picturesque dog walk. Pooches are also welcome to join their owners for drinks and doggy snacks from the café, with temporary seating under a lovely marquee while Rococo Garden creates its new welcome area.
Dog-friendly days out at Cotswold Wildlife Park
Introduce four-legged friends to a host of other animals at Burford’s Cotswold Wildlife Park, with dogs allowed to accompany their families around the grounds. With many spacious lawns to roam, pets are sure to have a paw-some day out – while there are plenty of activities to keep kids happy, too!
Dog-friendly days out at Batsford Arboretum
Wander around Batsford Arboretum’s incredible natural collections with your dog, with 56 acres of stunning parklands to explore. Well-behaved pooches are also allowed in the garden centre and onsite café, which has recently been refurbished.
Dog-friendly days out at Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway
Everyone’s welcome to hop aboard the train at Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway, with dogs allowed to travel in standard carriages for a flat-rate fare – as long as they’re not on the seats or tables and kept away from carpeted areas and those tasty buffet cars!
Dog-friendly days out at Westonbirt Arboretum
One of the country’s most spectacular tree gardens, Westonbirt Arboretum promises hours of fun and exploration, with dogs free to roam the Silk Wood where there are seasonal trails to keep walkers entertained – and the Gruffalo’s Child to find! As a bonus, the pantry next to the Exploratree playground sells doggy ice cream, too!
Dog-friendly days out at Cotswold Motoring Museum
Home to children's TV star Brum, Cotswold Motoring Museum takes visitors on a journey through motoring history – perfect for a family day out, with canine companions welcome to tag along. The pretty surroundings of Bourton-on-the-Water are ideal for dog walks, too.
Dog-friendly days out at Bibury Trout Farm
Hungry hounds will love watching their owners fish for supper at Bibury Trout Farm’s ‘catch your own’ fishery, open daily from March to October. And, with plenty of green space and a water meadow to explore, Bibury is a great spot for a dog walk in the beautiful Cotswold countryside.
Dog-friendly days out at Birdland Park and Gardens
A favourite animal attraction in Bourton-on-the-Water – and home to the world's most popular penguin, Spike – Birdland Park and Gardens allows dogs to join in the family fun, with water bowls provided to keep thirsty canines happy while kids marvel at penguins, pelicans and more.
Dog-friendly days out at Woodchester Park
Surrounding an unfinished Victorian mansion, Woodchester Park is a secluded woodland valley just waiting to be explored by dogs and their human companions – with a number of picturesque routes for scenic walkies and lakes to doggy paddle in, too.
Dog-friendly days out at Cotswold Lavender
Open from Wednesday 14 June to Sunday 6 August in 2023, Cotswold Lavender offers the chance to wander around stunning and beautifully-scented purple fields, with four-legged pals welcome to tag along. A paw-fect backdrop for the most Insta-worthy dog snaps!
Dog-friendly days out at Great Witcombe Roman Villa
Dogs can join their families on an adventure through time, paying a visit to what remains of a grand country estate from Roman Britain. Accessible from the Cotswold Way, Great Witcombe Roman Villa is not only steeped in history but boasts gorgeous views, surrounded by plenty of open space for picnics and puppy zoomies.
Dog-friendly days out at Cirencester Park
Located in the grandeur of Bathurst Estate, Cirencester Park is a great spot for a family day out, with dedicated doggy walking areas where four-legged friends can run, sniff and play. Its newly opened dining destination, Roots + Seeds Kitchen Garden, is dog- and family-friendly, too, with a fab adventure playground for kids – and chocolate orange espresso martinis for the grown-ups!
Dog-friendly days out at Greystones Farm Nature Reserve
Pooches can get their paws wet at Greystones Farm, with riverside walkies that are suitable for the whole family. And there’s lots more for pups and their humans to discover at the ancient site in Bourton-on-the-Water, from Iron Age fortifications to blooming wildflower meadows.
Dog-friendly days out at Cotswold Water Park
Home to plenty of trails and bridle paths to get tails wagging, dogs are welcome on a scenic walk through Cotswold Water Park, with picnic spots along the way for a well-deserved rest. Just be mindful of the resident wildlife and don't let your pup go paddling in the lakes.
Dog-friendly days out at The Dragonfly Maze
Head to Bourton-on-the-Water for an enjoyable visit to The Dragonfly Maze, weaving through the yew hedge pathways with your furry friend, while little ones can have fun solving the riddle to reveal the hidden golden dragonfly.
Dog-friendly days out at Broadway Tower
While dogs might not be able climb up the Cotswolds’ highest castle, there’s plenty of fun to be had at Broadway Tower’s dedicated canine playground, featuring paw-some agility obstacles. Meanwhile, the surrounding countryside is made for outdoor exploring, with an expanse of open space, several walking routes and spectacular views.
Dog-friendly days out at Cerney House Gardens
A romantic haven in the heart of the Cotswolds, Cerney House Gardens offers a slice of rural paradise for visitors and their doggy pals. The secret Victorian garden is open seven days a week, with a gazebo walk, woodlands, a vegetable garden and much more to discover.
Dog-friendly days out at Newark Park
Welcoming dogs throughout its estate, Newark Park is a National Trust site in Wotton-under-Edge, offering plenty of pretty parklands to explore with canine companions in tow. The three-levelled garden is also a great spot for a picnic.
