Top 10 Dog Friendly Things to do in the Cotswolds
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The Cotswolds is a popular place to go for a short break with dogs, particularly as there are some lovely dog friendly places to stay. Better still, there are some really fun places to take your dog for a day out. As we live locally, we’ve been to many of these locations over the years. All the ones we’ve visited have been brilliant, and really happy to see canine visitors.
For more ideas, have a look at my post about dog friendly days out in the West Midlands – some of the ones in Worcestershire are right on the Cotswold border.
Don’t forget to take your camera if you visit some of the more unusual locations. One of my favourite photos I took of my old dog was this one of her with the armadillo she was absolutely besotted with at the Cotswold Wildlife Park.
1. Dog Friendly Cotswold Wildlife Park
The Cotswold Wildlife Park is a brilliant day out for the whole family, and they welcome dogs on leads into the park and ask that you clean up after them. poo bags are available at the pay desk if you need one. Dogs can’t go in the indoor areas or children’s farmyard, gift shop or restaurant.
I’ve always thought the Cotswold Wildlife Park was a bit more like a safari park than a zoo, since all the large animals have such huge enclosures. Different activities take place every day and if you’re visiting with children, there are plenty of playgrounds and open spaces for them to run around. The park is also involved in endangered species breeding programmes, conservation and education projects, and they support various animal, wildlife and nature charities.
They’re open for most of the year, but do check the website before visiting because there are a few weeks in the winter when they’re only open at weekends.
Website: Cotswold Wildlife Park
2. Diddly Squat & The Farmer’s Dog Pub
For fans of Clarkson’s Farm, Diddly Squat and the Farmer’s dog pub are a reason to visit the Cotswolds all on their own.
Diddly Squat Farm Shop
As you can probably imagine, living relatively nearby we have made the pilgrimage to Diddly Squat. No sign of Clarkson, Lisa or Caleb – or the iconic national treasure that is Gerald – but I think that pretty much everyone else in the UK was there at the same time as us. There were huge queues, loads of mud (I think this may be a little better now) – and the prices are NOT cheap. That said, if you watch the series there is definitely something really appealing about visiting this famous dog friendly location in the Cotswolds.
Dogs are welcome at the outdoor areas in Diddly Squat, including the lambing barn, seating areas and outside the shop. They can’t go inside the shop though and need to be kept on a lead. Check out Diddly Squat Farm Shop on Instagram if you do visit with a dog, because they often share photos of their favourite canine visitors.
Website: Diddly Squat
The Farmer’s Dog Pub
I’ve checked the website and it says that dogs are welcome in the Farmer’s Dog pub. I haven’t visited this one, but it’s absolutely on my list. It’s worth knowing that as well as the Farmer’s Dog, there’s the Farmer’s Puppy, the Farmer’s Dough (pizza) and the Farmer’s Grill. There’s no need for a booking at the Farmer’s Puppy and the Farmer’s Dough, both of which are located in the Grand Tour Tent.
Tables at the Farmer’s Dog pub become available to book on the first of every month for the following month and sell out fast. So, it’s worth putting that in your diary if you’re planning on trying to book in for a particular date.
Farmer’s Dog Website: The Farmer’s Dog
3. Broadway Tower Country Park
This iconic 18th-century folly perched on the Cotswolds escarpment is a fantastic dog-friendly day out. While dogs aren’t allowed inside the tower museum or the nuclear bunker, the 200-acre estate is lovely to explore. Dogs do need to be on leads due to the local wildlife and the deer that are in an enclosure beside the tower. There are circular walks through the parkland and breathtaking views across the countryside. Both the Morris & Brown Café and the Tower Barn Café offer dog-friendly seating areas.
If you’re visiting as a family, this is a really lovely place to spend a few hours with children and dogs. We’ve been a few times and it’s really chilled out with a great mix of nice walks and open space for the kids to run around. I seem to remember the ice creams there being pretty amazing too!
Website: Broadway Tower
4. Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR)
All aboard for a dog-friendly steam train adventure through the heart of the Cotswolds! This heritage railway runs 14 miles from Broadway to Cheltenham Race Course, with well-behaved dogs welcome on all trains for £5 per pooch (kept on a lead and under control). You can hop on and off at charming stations like Toddington, Winchcombe, and Hayles Abbey Halt, where there are plenty of grassy spots for a quick sniff and stretch. The Cotswold Halt Café at Toddington is also dog-friendly, making it easy to grab a cuppa while your dog has a rest. Whether you’re after a round trip through rolling countryside or a one-way stroll between stations, it’s a brilliant dog-friendly day out with a proper nostalgic feel.
If you’re visiting with children, there’s often loads for them to do, especially during school holidays. Make sure you descend the train at Toddington to make the most of the play area, narrow gauge railway and mini signal box and loco yard.
Website: GWSR
5. Westonbirt Arboretum
I absolutely love a Forestry England site, especially when I’ve got the dogs with me. But I have to say, Westonbirt is one of my favourites. It’s a really lovely family day out, and you’ll want to take photos of everything because it’s all just so beautiful.
With 15,000 trees from across the globe spread across 600 acres, Westonbirt is a dream day out for owners and their dogs. Two-thirds of the arboretum is dog-friendly, including the wilder Silk Wood where dogs can roam off-lead to their heart’s content. Dogs on leads are also welcome on the Downs, around the facilities, and on the famous STIHL Treetop Walkway, a 300-metre elevated path through the canopy that’s just as exciting for your pup’s nose as it is for your camera roll. The Old Arboretum is a dog-free zone, but there’s more than enough space elsewhere to explore, with seasonal colour (spring blossom, autumn acers) making every visit feel different. Water bowls are dotted around the site, and the café and shop are both dog-friendly too.
Website: Westonbirt Arboretum
6. Dog Friendly Cotswold Country Park and Beach
This 50-acre lake park near Cirencester is a brilliant dog-friendly day out, with plenty of space for a proper adventure. Dogs are welcome in most areas of the site, including on boats “within reason”, and at the café. However, they must be kept on a lead at all times and are not allowed on the beach or in the water. That still leaves plenty to do, you can hire a rowing boat or pedalo with your pup aboard, take a stroll through the grassy parkland, or grab a coffee on the dog-friendly café terrace.
Worth knowing: The park is pre-booking only and gets EXTREMELY busy in summer. At the time of writing, it’s fully booked for the whole weekend, so plan ahead. With a lovely lakeside setting and a genuinely warm welcome for dogs, it’s a great spot for a relaxed afternoon out.
Website: Cotswold Country Park and Beach
7. Birdland – Bourton on the Water
Birdland Park & Gardens is home to over 500 birds from around the world. This Bourton-on-the-Water attraction is a treat for wildlife lovers of all ages. Highlights include the walk-through penguin enclosure where you can watch them zip through the water, the colourful flamingo colony, and the stunning aviaries housing everything from tiny finches to the impressive cassowary.
The park also features a dedicated owlery with a range of native and exotic owls, plus the popular penguin feeding talks that run daily. Set within nine acres of mature gardens and woodland along the River Windrush, it’s a lovely spot to wander at a relaxed pace.
I absolutely love Birdland and have been visiting since I was a child. However, I had no idea it was dog friendly, so I’ll definitely be exploring it with my dogs soon. This is a classic Cotswolds day out and it’s actually extremely welcoming to dogs. They serve a doggy menu in their café, including dog ice cream, sausages and puppuccinos. There are also plenty of seating areas in the shade and places to refill dog water bowls and human water bottles. Dogs do need to be kept on leads, remain calm around the enclosures and of course you’ll need to clean up after them.
Website: Birdland
8. The Rollright Stones
This ancient site on the Oxfordshire-Warwickshire border is one of the most atmospheric prehistoric monuments in the region, and it’s wonderfully dog-friendly too. The complex includes three main elements: the King’s Men stone circle, the lone King Stone, and the Whispering Knights burial chamber, all dating back over 5,000 years.
Dogs are welcome on leads across the site, though they must stay out of the stone circle itself to protect the fragile ground and preserve the peaceful atmosphere. There’s a dog bin near the entrance for easy clean-up, and the open, grassy setting makes for a lovely short walk with plenty of sniffing opportunities. Just a few minutes off the A44 near Chipping Norton, it’s a quick and easy stop that pairs beautifully with a visit to nearby Broadway Tower. The folklore and legends of the stones give you plenty to talk about as you stroll around.
Website: The Rollright Stones and English Heritage Rollright Stones
9. Dog Friendly Cotswolds Distillery
This is a great dog-friendly attraction and one that really surprised me. I never would have thought of taking my dogs to a distillery! Nestled in the rolling hills near Stourton, this award-winning distillery is a great stop for anyone who appreciates a good gin or whisky.
While dogs aren’t allowed on the distillery tours or tasting experiences for safety reasons, they are very welcome in the Still House Café. In fact, you can even treat them to a Puppuccino. The café serves up excellent coffee, cakes, and light lunches with lovely views over the distillery’s own barley fields, making it a handy pit stop between walks. With the distillery’s signature Cotswolds Dry Gin and single malt whisky both made on-site using locally grown barley, it’s a proper taste of the region, and the dog-friendly café means nobody gets left out.
Website: Cotswolds Distillery
10. The Fleece Inn Bretforton
This is another slightly unusual one. Yes, it’s just a pub and lots of pubs are dog friendly. But you won’t find many pubs that are more interesting than the Fleece Inn. This National Trust pub was first licenced in 1848 and has now been restored to its former glory. Complete with witches circles and a reputation for morris dancing and folk music. Dogs are welcome both outside and inside the Fleece as long as they’re on leads.
Website: The Fleece Inn National Trust
