The Cotswolds might just be the most dog-friendly corner of England. With its 102-mile National Trail, open commons, riverside paths and a pub in seemingly every village, this is a region made for exploring with a four-legged friend, and the warm welcome extends to where you stay. Hotels lay out dog beds and treats, inns keep water bowls by the bar, and cottages come with enclosed gardens and walks from the door. Holidaying here with your dog is not an afterthought; it is a pleasure the Cotswolds does exceptionally well.
This guide brings together the best dog-friendly hotels, inns and cottages in the Cotswolds, along with the practical details on fees and policies, the finest dog walks, the most welcoming pubs and the attractions that admit dogs. With a little planning, you and your dog can enjoy a brilliant break together. It works alongside our complete guide to where to stay in the Cotswolds.
What “Dog-Friendly” Really Means
It pays to understand what dog-friendly actually involves, because policies vary. Most dog-friendly hotels and inns charge a fee of around £10 to £50 per dog, per night or per stay, which usually covers a dog bed, bowls and a treat or two, and sometimes a welcome hamper. Dogs are generally welcome in the bar, lounge and garden but not in formal restaurants, though many places will happily set a bar table so your dog can join you for dinner. Assistance dogs, of course, are admitted everywhere by law.
Common conditions are worth checking too. Many properties ask that dogs are over a year old, kept on a lead in shared areas, not left unattended in rooms, and kept off the beds and furniture. Limits on the number of dogs (often one medium or two small dogs per room) and exclusions on puppies are also typical. None of this is onerous, but reading the policy before you book avoids any awkward surprises on arrival.
The Best Dog-Friendly Hotels
At the upmarket end, several of the Cotswolds’ best hotels welcome dogs in style. The Lygon Arms in Broadway is a standout, accepting dogs in most rooms with a bed, treats and bowls provided, and even a “muddy paws” wash station in the courtyard for after those long walks. Dormy House, on the Farncombe Estate above Broadway, welcomes dogs in designated rooms and lets them join you to dine in its relaxed Potting Shed restaurant, with a dog menu no less.
In Lower Slaughter, The Slaughters Country Inn welcomes dogs in its cottages and selected rooms, and staff will reserve a bar table so your dog can be with you at dinner and breakfast. These hotels prove you do not have to choose between a touch of luxury and bringing the dog, which is exactly how a Cotswolds break should be. For more upmarket options, see our guides to luxury hotels and boutique hotels in the Cotswolds.
Dog-Friendly Inns and Pubs With Rooms
The classic dog-friendly Cotswolds stay is the country inn with rooms, where dogs are part of the furniture. The Wild Rabbit in Kingham welcomes dogs in its garden rooms and cottages with a bed, bowl and treats, and dogs are welcome on the terrace and in the bar and snug. The Lamb Inn at Burford has several dog-friendly rooms (one with its own garden) and even offers a breakfast sausage for your dog, while the The Bull at Burford welcomes dogs of any size in all its common areas.
In Stow-on-the-Wold, The Old Stocks Inn has dog-friendly garden rooms, a dog menu (“Sir Woofchester’s”) and dog-walking maps at reception, and in Northleach the boutique Wheatsheaf Inn welcomes dogs with a VIP hamper. The Kings Head Inn at Bledington and the historic Porch House at Stow are other reliable choices. A special mention goes to the Bell at Sapperton, an independent country pub where, unusually, dogs are welcome in both the bar and the restaurant.
Dog-Friendly Self-Catering Cottages
For many dog owners, a self-catering cottage is the most relaxing option, giving you and your dog your own space with no worries about disturbing other guests. Dog-friendly cottages are abundant in the Cotswolds, and the specialist agencies make them easy to find: Sykes Holiday Cottages and Manor Cottages both have large dog-friendly collections, often with enclosed gardens and wood-burners, while National Trust Holidays and luxury operators such as kate & tom’s offer dog-friendly options at every level.
When booking a cottage, look specifically for an enclosed garden if your dog needs it, check the number of dogs allowed and any per-dog charge, and confirm where dogs are permitted within the property. Our guide to the best Cotswold holiday cottages covers self-catering in detail, including how to filter for the features that matter to you.
The Best Dog Walks in the Cotswolds
Half the joy of a dog-friendly break is the walking, and the Cotswolds delivers in spades. Cleeve Hill and Cleeve Common, the highest point in the Cotswolds, offer glorious open walking with huge views, with off-lead freedom when the grazing sheep have been removed (typically over winter); always keep your dog under control near livestock. The National Trust’s Minchinhampton and Rodborough Commons near Stroud are another superb spot for open, off-lead rambling, though cattle and ponies graze here, so take care.
The Cotswold Way provides endless options, from the gentle climb out of Broadway up to Broadway Tower to the stretch above Winchcombe, all with good waymarking and friendly gradients. Closer to the villages, the riverside paths at Bourton-on-the-Water and the network of footpaths around almost every village give easy, scenic strolls. Our guide to walking and hiking in the Cotswolds has many more routes to enjoy with your dog.
Dog-Friendly Attractions and Pubs
Plenty of Cotswold attractions welcome dogs, at least in part. Westonbirt, The National Arboretum allows dogs off-lead in Silk Wood and on-lead across much of the rest of the grounds, including the Treetop Walkway, though not in the Old Arboretum. Cotswold Farm Park does not allow dogs among the livestock but welcomes them in the visitor centre, the Ox Shed and along its dog-friendly Wildlife Walk. Many gardens, country parks and ancient sites are also dog-friendly, so it is always worth checking before you set off.
And of course there are the pubs. The Cotswolds is full of welcoming country pubs where dogs are happily admitted to the bar for a pint and a bowl of water, often with treats behind the bar. After a good walk, settling by the fire in a dog-friendly pub is one of the great pleasures of a Cotswolds break, and you will rarely have to look far to find one.
Tips for a Stress-Free Dog-Friendly Break
A little preparation makes all the difference. Check exactly what your accommodation provides, beds, bowls and treats are common, but bring your dog’s own bed or blanket for familiarity, plus food, towels for muddy paws, poo bags and any medication. Confirm the fee and the house rules in advance, and let the property know you are bringing a dog when you book rather than on arrival.
Out on your walks, follow the countryside code: keep your dog on a lead around livestock and ground-nesting birds, clean up after them, and stick to paths where asked. The commons and hills are grazed by sheep, cattle and ponies, so a reliable recall or a lead is essential in those areas. Get these basics right and both you and your dog will have a relaxed, happy holiday.
Dog-Friendly Stays by Area
Dog-friendly accommodation is found right across the Cotswolds, so you can base yourself wherever suits your plans. The north Cotswolds, around Broadway, Stow and Burford, has the greatest concentration of dog-welcoming inns and hotels, along with easy access to the Cotswold Way and Broadway Tower for walks. The quieter south, around Stroud, Tetbury and the Golden Valley, offers wonderful open commons such as Minchinhampton and Rodborough for off-lead rambling, plus a string of friendly country pubs.
Wherever you choose, the key is to base yourself somewhere with good walks straight from the door, so you can start and end the day with a stroll without having to drive. A village inn on the edge of open countryside, or a cottage with footpaths from the garden gate, makes for the most relaxing dog-friendly break. Our guide to the best areas to stay in the Cotswolds can help you pick the right base.
Planning Your Dog’s Days Out
One of the best things about a Cotswolds dog holiday is how much you can do together. Beyond the walks, plenty of gardens, country parks and ancient sites welcome dogs on leads, and many of the prettiest villages are a joy to wander with a dog in tow. A typical day might combine a morning hill walk, a dog-friendly pub lunch, and an afternoon exploring a village or a stretch of the Cotswold Way, with your dog alongside the whole time.
It is worth checking the dog policy of any specific attraction before you visit, as it varies: some welcome dogs throughout, others only in certain areas, and a few (particularly those with farm animals or delicate gardens) not at all. A quick look at the website or a phone call avoids disappointment, and many attractions now make a point of advertising their dog-friendly credentials, including water bowls and even “doggy ice cream” at the cafés.
Dog-Friendly Pubs for Lunch
No dog-friendly Cotswolds trip is complete without a few proper pub lunches, and happily the region is full of welcoming country pubs where dogs are part of the scene. Most admit dogs to the bar and garden, often with a water bowl and a few treats on hand, and many of the inns-with-rooms listed above are excellent for a midday stop even if you are not staying. A roaring fire in winter or a sunny garden in summer, a good lunch and your dog at your feet is the Cotswolds at its most contented.
As a general rule, dogs are welcome in the bar areas of country pubs rather than any separate formal dining room, so head for the bar or garden and ask if you are unsure. The Bell at Sapperton is a notable exception, welcoming dogs throughout. For more on the region’s pubs and food, see our guide to Cotswolds food and drink.
Travelling to the Cotswolds With a Dog
Getting here with a dog is straightforward. By car, which is much the easiest option for a dog-friendly trip, the Cotswolds is well served by the A40, A429 and M5, and most accommodation has parking. If you are travelling by train, dogs travel free on UK trains (up to two per passenger) as long as they are on a lead or in a carrier, so a car-free trip is perfectly possible, particularly if you base yourself near a station such as Moreton-in-Marsh.
Once here, a car gives you the most freedom to reach the best walks and dog-friendly attractions, as rural bus services are limited. Plan your route with a few dog-friendly stops in mind, and remember that on warm days you should never leave a dog in a parked car. Our guide to getting to and around the Cotswolds has more on travelling here.
The Best Time of Year for a Dog-Friendly Break
The Cotswolds is a year-round dog destination, but each season has its own character. Spring and autumn are arguably the best for walking, with comfortable temperatures, beautiful scenery and quieter paths, though you should be mindful of livestock and ground-nesting birds in spring. Winter brings cosy pub fires, frosty walks and the chance for off-lead freedom on the commons once the grazing sheep have been moved, while summer offers long days but busier honeypots and the need to keep dogs cool and shaded.
Whatever the season, the Cotswolds rewards an active, outdoorsy holiday, and a dog is the perfect excuse to get out into the hills whatever the weather. Pack for the conditions, plan your walks around the time of year, and you and your dog will have a wonderful time. Our guide to the best time to visit the Cotswolds can help you choose.
What to Pack for Your Dog
A short packing list keeps everyone happy. Bring your dog’s own bed or a familiar blanket, their usual food and bowls, a couple of towels for muddy paws (the Cotswolds does mud beautifully), plenty of poo bags, a spare lead, and any medication. A long line is handy for the commons where livestock graze, and a tick remover is worth having after walks through long grass. If you are visiting in summer, pack a collapsible water bowl and plan walks for the cooler parts of the day.
With your dog’s essentials sorted and a base chosen with good walks from the door, you have everything you need for a relaxed break. The Cotswolds makes it genuinely easy to holiday with a dog, and once you have done it, you may find it hard to imagine leaving them behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are dogs allowed in Cotswolds hotel restaurants?
Usually not in formal restaurants, but most welcome dogs in the bar, lounge and garden, and many will set a bar table so your dog can join you for meals. Assistance dogs are admitted everywhere by law.
How much do Cotswolds hotels charge for dogs?
Typically £10 to £50 per dog, per night or per stay, which usually covers a dog bed, bowls and treats. Fees vary by property, so always check the current rate and confirm when booking.
Which Cotswold villages are best for a dog-friendly stay?
Stow-on-the-Wold, Broadway, Burford, Bourton-on-the-Water and Northleach all have dog-friendly inns and hotels with excellent walks from the door, making them great bases for a holiday with your dog.
Can I take my dog to Cotswold attractions?
Many welcome dogs in part. Westonbirt Arboretum allows dogs across most of the grounds (off-lead in Silk Wood), and Cotswold Farm Park welcomes dogs in its visitor areas and on the Wildlife Walk, though not among the animals. Always check each attraction’s policy first.
Are there limits on dog size or number?
Often yes. Many rooms allow one medium or two small dogs, some exclude puppies under six months, and most require dogs to be over a year old and house-trained. Confirm the details with the property when you book.
Plan a Dog-Friendly Cotswolds Break
With its endless walks, welcoming pubs and dog-loving hotels, inns and cottages, the Cotswolds is one of the best places in England to holiday with your dog. Choose a base with good walks from the door, check the policies in advance, and you are set for a wonderful break together. For more, explore our guides to walking in the Cotswolds and the best areas to stay. For the cheapest beds in the region, dog or no dog, see our guide to budget accommodation in the Cotswolds.
