If your dog had a say in planning a weekend itinerary, the Cotswolds would likely be top of their list. From ancient woodland threaded with trickling streams to rolling hills with far-reaching views and meadows made for sniffing and sprinting — plus enough pub gardens to justify an extra mile or two — there are endless opportunities for curious noses and energetic paws.
This is a rural region, however, so it’s worth keeping some precautions in mind. Livestock and cattle are common throughout the Cotswolds, and dogs should always be kept on a lead around them. If cattle become overly interested, let your dog explore and find your way to the nearest field boundary before recalling them. It’s best to avoid walking through fields with livestock during lambing season.
Many of the best routes are paired with welcoming pub stops and dog-friendly places to stay nearby — here are five of the best dog walks in the Cotswolds.
Broadway and the Tower circular walk
Best for: spectacular views
Distance: 6.4 kilometres (4 miles)
Estimated time: 3 hours
Pub stops: Morris & Brown Cafe; The Swan in Broadway
Best season: autumn
If it was good enough for William Morris, chances are it will win over both you and your dog. This hill on the northern edge of the Cotswolds has some of the finest views across the Severn Vale, and on a clear day you can see as far away as Wales. Beginning in the village, which sits just 129 metres above sea level, the route quickly gains in height as you head out of the historic centre and across the farmland that sits on the cusp of Beacon Hill. The 312-metre summit is crowned by Broadway Tower, an 18th-century folly that was later used as a retreat by Victorian Arts and Crafts pioneer William Morris.
Stop here for homemade quiche and salad or a freshly baked scone at the Morris & Brown Cafe (there’s water for your dog, too) before you tackle the return to the village, which is a thigh-burning descent down a flight of steps on the hill’s steepest side. There are no stiles on this walk so it’s ideal for older dogs who are unable to hop over fences; however, you’re likely to pass livestock and the estate around the Tower has a herd of red deer, so keep them on a lead.
Where to stay: A soak in the spa for you and a warm-water paw wash for them awaits at The Lygon Arms, in the heart of Broadway village. For a fee of £30 per pet per day, dogs are allowed in all of the public areas and outdoor spaces (except the Grill restaurant and the spa), and they can join you for dinner in The Russell Room or Tavern by James Martin.
Painswick stream circular walk
Best for: dogs who love to swim
Distance: 4.6 kilometres (2.8 miles)
Estimated time: 1.5 hours
Pub stop: The Falcon, Painswick
Best season: autumn
At the eastern reaches of the Cotswolds, this short but rewarding walk begins in the centre of honey-stone Painswick, a town dubbed the ‘Queen of the Cotswolds’ thanks to its imposing church and meticulously manicured yew trees. The route follows the stream that once powered Painswick’s wool mills, a reminder of the trade that shaped the region for centuries.
There’s ample shade by the stream and plenty of paddling opportunities for dogs; they can trot off lead providing they’re under control when there’s no livestock in the fields. There’s a steep climb back into the village at the end, but your reward is a hearty roast dinner at The Falcon Inn, a handsome 16th-century pub in the village centre with a menu of excellent British produce.
Insider tip: There are a handful of stiles and kissing gates, so this walk is best for smaller, more agile dogs.
Where to stay: Rest your weary feet overnight at The Painswick Hotel, where dogs get beds, bowls and treats in the room. They can also relax with you while you dine in the bar or on the terrace lawn, which has tranquil hillside views.
Blenheim Palace Park walk
Best for: adding palatial grandeur to your outing
Distance: 7.4 kilometres (4.6 miles)
Estimated time: 2 hours
Pub stop: The Back Lane Tavern, Woodstock
Best season: spring
Few dog walks come with a backdrop as grand as Blenheim Palace. Its opulent Baroque architecture is a masterpiece of its time, and it’s still home to the Duke of Marlborough, whose family live within its east wing. While dogs can’t accompany you inside Churchill’s ancestral pile, the grounds and gardens are open for all to explore, and the 7.4-kilometre Park Perimeter path makes for a glorious two-hour walk.
The asphalt-surfaced footpath is suitable for baby prams or dog buggies, whether for ageing pets or younger ones saving their energy. The route passes the grand Palace exterior, travels through the ancient estate woodland and crosses the bridge over the shimmering Great Lake and Queen Pool. Look out for the tree on the banks of the River Glyme that’s said to have inspired Harry Potter’s ‘Whomping Willow’.
Insider tip: As this is a private, managed estate, dogs must remain on a lead at all times. You can pay for access if you park in Blenheim’s visitor car park, or park in the town centre and use the free, public-right-of-way access gate on The Causeway road, just north of town.
Where to stay: Lively Woodstock town is just a short walk away, with plenty of dog-friendly cafés and pubs — The Back Lane Tavern is a local favourite. In the town centre you’ll find The Feathers Hotel, where rooms are set within a network of delightful townhouses and small dogs are welcome in the lounge areas, courtyard and the Aviary restaurant (£20 per pet per night).
Westonbirt National Arboretum
Best for: shaded woodland
Distance: 4.8 kilometres (3 miles)
Estimated time: 1.5 hours
Best season: summer
You could walk for hours within the bounds of Westonbirt National Arboretum and never get bored, especially if you return in each season — spring brings a carpet of bluebells; autumn offers a blaze of ochre, amber and copper foliage. There are no official waymarked routes here, but there are 600 acres to explore, and your dog is welcome throughout most of them (with the exception of the Old Arboretum). They must be kept on a lead on the Downs, an area of wildflower and picnic meadows, but they can run free without the worry of livestock nearby within the 400-odd acres of Silk Wood.
Insider tip: Silk Wood is an entirely stile-free area, and a walk around its perimeter will take around 90 minutes.
Where to stay: The Old Bell Hotel, a 10-minute drive west in historic Malmesbury, makes a fitting base. For an additional £25 per night, dogs will receive welcome treats and a plush bed to relax in, and you can enjoy their exceptional tasting menus together in the lounge or bar area.
The Lechlade Loop
Best for: under-the-radar villages
Distance: 8 kilometres (5 miles)
Estimated time: 3 hours
Pub stop: The Trout Inn, Lechlade
Best season: summer
Starting in Lechlade — which sits at the furthest reaches of the navigable Thames from its estuary — this eight-kilometre loop meanders across water meadows and through lesser-known villages such as Inglesham, whose stone cottages, medieval churches and quiet lanes retain the feel of a local secret. Take the route anticlockwise and you’ll trace the river along the Thames Path towards St John the Baptist Church, a 13th-century church with Anglo-Saxon origins. From there, a short walk along an A-road (best to keep the dog on a lead here, in case of traffic) gives way to quieter country lanes, before heading towards the National Trust’s Buscot Old Parsonage.
The route passes the dog-friendly Trout Inn, which has a riverside beer garden and a simple menu of ploughman’s lunches, before returning to the town centre via the river path.
Insider tip: Dogs can be off-lead along the Thames Path, but there are rural areas along the way so keep your lead handy when passing any livestock.
Where to stay: Less than a five-minute drive (or 30-minute walk) from Lechlade lies the design-led Lakes by Yoo, a rural retreat with villa stays, set beside a series of ponds, lakes and wetlands. It has a varied selection of accommodation fit for owners and dogs alike, plus a dog-friendly restaurant.
The best Cotswolds dog walks at a glance
Best for views: Broadway Tower
Best for swimming access: Painswick Stream Walk
Best for shaded areas: Westonbirt Arboretum
Best for older dogs: Blenheim Palace Park
Best for villages: Lechlade Loop
Find more treats with our guide to travelling with your dog or take your furry friend to one of our pet-friendly hotels in the Cotswolds