Dog friendly pubs in the Cotswolds
With hundreds of miles of glorious countryside to explore with those muddy paws, and lots of historic towns and villages to intrigue wet noses, Cotswolds holidays were made for enjoying with your four-legged friends.
Home to Britain’s largest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the leafy region is bursting at the seams with walkies promising fantastic views, fresh air and off-lead frolics. With so much to do in the dog-friendly destination, you’ll need plenty of treats in between exploring, before heading back for a doggie dinner from the pup menu at our Ballihoo restaurant. We’ve sniffed out some of the best dog friendly pubs in the Cotswolds, from delicious Sunday roasts to cosy pubs in quaint villages.
Best for Sunday lunch
The Potting Shed, Crudwell
Come rain or shine, there is no better way to spend a Sunday than with a long dog walk and a hearty roast. Situated in the village of Crudwell, part of the idyllic Cotswolds triangle of Tetbury, Malmesbury and Cirencester, The Potting Shed serves up what might well be one of the best Sunday roasts you’ve ever eaten. For you, crispy pork belly or roast sirloin of beef is served with greens from the pub’s very own vegetable patch, while canine appetites are catered for with yummy dog biscuits from the bar. They can join you anywhere in the pub, as well as in its two acres of gardens. The Potting Shed is just a few minutes’ drive from Lower Mill Estate, but we recommend making time to walk there - it’ll take a couple of hours and here’s the route. Don’t forget to book - it’s a local favourite (always a good sign!).
The Fleece, Cirencester
Also worthy of a notable mention is the The Fleece at Cirencester. This 300-year old, Grade II listed building boasts original beams and log fires and is the cosiest spot for a Sunday roast on a day rainy day.
Best for lunch and a country walk
The Hare & Hounds, Westonbirt
The Hare & Hounds hotel is a quintessentially English hideaway set in acres of woodlands and adjacent to the Westonbirt Arboretum - one of our favourite dog friendly attractions in the Cotswolds. The award-winning spot is the perfect place for lunch after a morning spent exploring the Arboretum and everybody is welcome, pups included. There’s a menu of classic pub food done exceptionally well in the AA Rosette awarded Beaufort restaurant.
Best for dog-friendly drinks with a view
The Willow, Bourton-on-the-Water
No Cotswolds holiday is complete without a visit to the chocolate box village of Bourton-on-the-Water. Known as the ‘Venice of the Cotswolds’ thanks to a smattering of pretty bridges that cross the River Windrush, the sweet little village is often described as one of the most idyllic in the whole of England and it sits just a 30 minute drive from the dog-friendly Lower Mill Estate. Let your furry friend lead the way on shorter strolls to the equally pretty neighbouring village of Lower Slaughter or stretch your legs on a longer two-hour loop of the waterside. With walkies done, decamp to new pub, The Willow, for fish and chips with a sleepy pup by your side. There’s a whole selection of doggy treats on offer here too.
Dog-friendly stays at Lower Mill Estate
With so many dog-friendly pubs, Cotswolds holidays are pawfect for pups. Habitat Escapes are famously fond of four-legged additions to family holiday plans, with pet-friendly accommodation ranging from cosy cottages to contemporary eco homes. Pooches are pampered just as much as their humans too, with acres of space to explore in the surrounding nature reserve and a dedicated doggie menu full of treats to look forward to in the Ballihoo Restaurant.
