The Cotswolds' honey-stone villages are among England's most photographed, and many welcome dogs warmly. Rolling hills connect picture-perfect settlements, each with its own character. This guide covers the most dog-friendly villages, the walks between them, and where to find the best welcome.
This guide complements our main Cotswolds guide with specific village recommendations.
Understanding Cotswolds Villages
The Character
What to Expect:
- Honey-coloured limestone
- Traditional architecture
- Village greens and pubs
- Walking connections
- Varying levels of tourism
Dog-Friendliness
Generally Good: The Cotswolds has strong walking culture. Most villages welcome dogs in outdoor spaces, many pubs accommodate dogs, and the countryside is accessible.
Northern Cotswolds Villages
Bourton-on-the-Water
The Popular One: "Venice of the Cotswolds" - River Windrush through village.
Dog-Friendly:
- Village exploring good
- River access for paddling
- Several dog-friendly pubs
- Very busy in summer
Walks: Connect to Upper/Lower Slaughter (classic walk).
Reality Check: Very touristy, especially weekends/summer. Early morning or off-season better for dogs.
The Slaughters
Upper and Lower Slaughter: Quieter, more intimate villages. Quintessential Cotswolds.
Dog-Friendly:
- Less crowded than Bourton
- Pleasant village walks
- Pubs welcome dogs
- Beautiful setting
Walks: Classic circular: Bourton - Lower Slaughter - Upper Slaughter - Bourton (about 4 miles).
Stow-on-the-Wold
Market Town: Hilltop location. Large market square. Antique shops.
Dog-Friendly:
- Town exploring good
- Several dog-friendly pubs
- Walking access to countryside
- Good facilities
Walks: Connect to surrounding villages and countryside.
Chipping Campden
Northern Gateway: Wool town heritage. High Street architecture. Start of Cotswold Way.
Dog-Friendly:
- Town walking good
- Dog-friendly pubs
- Cotswold Way access
- Less touristy than some
Walks: Cotswold Way north or south. Dover's Hill nearby.
See our Long Distance Trails guide for Cotswold Way information.
Broadway
Show Village: Wide main street. Very picturesque. Popular.
Dog-Friendly:
- Village walking good
- Broadway Tower nearby
- Dog-friendly establishments
- Good walking access
Walks: Broadway Tower. Fish Hill. Cotswold Way sections.
Central Cotswolds Villages
Burford
Gateway Town: Historic high street descending to river. Antique shops.
Dog-Friendly:
- Town exploring good
- River Windrush access
- Several dog-friendly pubs
- Good walking from town
Walks: River walks. Surrounding countryside.
Bibury
The Famous One: Arlington Row - most photographed street in England.
Dog-Friendly:
- Village walking fine
- River Coln
- Trout farm exterior
- Very busy - early morning better
Reality Check: Extremely popular. Coaches frequent. Can be overwhelming. Worth visiting but manage timing.
Northleach
Less Discovered: Wool church. Market place. Quieter than neighbours.
Dog-Friendly:
- Less crowded
- Dog-friendly pubs
- Good countryside access
- Authentic feel
Cirencester
Market Town: Largest Cotswolds town. Roman heritage. Good facilities.
Dog-Friendly:
- Town exploring
- Cirencester Park (dog access varies)
- Markets
- Pubs welcome dogs
Southern Cotswolds Villages
Tetbury
Royal Connection: Prince Charles shops here. Antiques. Character.
Dog-Friendly:
- Town walking
- Surrounding walks
- Dog-friendly establishments
- Good atmosphere
Nearby: Westonbirt Arboretum (check dog access).
Castle Combe
Film Location: Possibly most beautiful village. Very small. Very photographed.
Dog-Friendly:
- Tiny village - quick explore
- Walks from village
- Less crowded off-season
Reality Check: Very small. Can feel crowded. Worth seeing but don't expect a long stay.
Painswick
Queen of the Cotswolds: Yew trees in churchyard. Rococo Garden nearby.
Dog-Friendly:
- Town exploring
- Cotswold Way passes through
- Surrounding walks excellent
Dog-Friendly Walks Between Villages
Classic Village-to-Village Walks
Bourton Circuit: Bourton-on-the-Water → Lower Slaughter → Upper Slaughter → return. About 4-5 miles. Classic Cotswolds. Pubs en route.
Broadway to Chipping Campden: Via Cotswold Way. About 6 miles. Scenic. Broadway Tower.
Burford Countryside: Various routes from town. River walks and surrounding villages.
Walking Tips
Village Walking:
- On lead through villages
- Pick up poo (essential in pretty places)
- Respect private property
- Use footpaths
For general walking guidance, see our Hiking guide.
Dog-Friendly Pubs
Best for Dogs
The Cotswolds Has Excellent Dog-Friendly Pubs:
Characteristics:
- Traditional stone buildings
- Real ales
- Good food
- Dog-friendly bars
- Some with gardens
- Walking tradition
Finding Good Ones: Each village typically has at least one welcoming pub. Look for those with:
- Dogs at entrance
- Water bowls outside
- "Dogs welcome" signs
See our Pub Walks guide.
Specific Recommendations
Rather than naming individual pubs (policies change), look for:
- Village locals (usually welcoming)
- Walking-focused pubs
- Those with gardens
- Bar vs restaurant distinction (bars usually better for dogs)
Accommodation in Villages
Staying in Villages
Options:
Village Cottages: Many villages have cottage rentals. Ideal for dog owners. Garden access. Central location.
Village Pubs with Rooms: Classic Cotswolds option. See our Pubs with Rooms guide.
Hotels: Various dog-friendly hotels throughout.
Booking Tips
Village Accommodation:
- Books early (especially popular villages)
- Summer weekends especially busy
- Check parking (limited in some villages)
- Garden access important for dogs
See our Booking Accommodation guide.
Seasonal Considerations
Spring
Highlights:
- Blossom
- Lambing (dogs on leads)
- Gardens awakening
- Quieter than summer
Summer
Highlights:
- Full facilities
- Long days
- Events and markets
Considerations:
- Very busy
- Parking difficult
- Early mornings better
Autumn
Highlights:
- Beautiful colours
- Quieter
- Good walking weather
- Harvest atmosphere
Winter
Highlights:
- Atmospheric
- Quiet villages
- Cosy pubs
- Christmas charm
See our seasonal guides: Summer, Winter, Autumn.
Managing Busy Villages
Tips for Peak Times
Strategies:
- Visit early morning
- Choose off-peak days (Tuesday-Thursday)
- Smaller villages less crowded
- Shoulder seasons better
- Stay in village (explore before day-trippers arrive)
Best for Dogs
Quieter Villages:
- Northleach
- Upper/Lower Slaughter (except peak weekends)
- Painswick
- Less-famous villages throughout
Busier (Need Management):
- Bourton-on-the-Water (very busy)
- Bibury (especially Arlington Row)
- Broadway (popular)
- Castle Combe (small, can feel crowded)
Practical Information
Getting Around
By Car: Most practical for village hopping. Parking varies (charged in some, limited in others).
On Foot: Walk between villages for the best experience. Cotswolds designed for walking.
Dog Etiquette in Villages
Essential:
- On lead in villages
- Pick up poo (always)
- Respect gardens and property
- Control around livestock
See our Dog Etiquette guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Cotswolds village is best for dogs?
Upper and Lower Slaughter for beauty and quiet. Northleach for authenticity. Stow-on-the-Wold for facilities.
Are Cotswolds villages dog-friendly?
Generally yes. Good walking culture. Most pubs welcome dogs. Some villages very busy though.
Can I walk between villages?
Yes, excellent footpath network. Classic way to experience Cotswolds.
Is Bourton-on-the-Water good for dogs?
Yes, but very busy. River access good. Early morning or off-season better.
Best time to visit Cotswolds villages?
Spring or autumn for quiet. Summer busiest. Winter atmospheric.
Are there any dog restrictions?
Follow standard countryside code. On lead near livestock. Some gardens may restrict.
Honey-Stone Adventures Await
The Cotswolds villages offer quintessential English beauty with genuinely warm dog welcome. Walk between settlements, enjoy welcoming pubs, and experience landscape that's inspired visitors for generations.
Luke explores Cotswolds villages with Charlie, Buster, Ember, Simba, Max, and Molly. The pack has discovered that early morning village wandering, classic pub stops, and walks between settlements make perfect Cotswolds days.
5.0
out of 5
20 global ratings
Top reviews
★★★★★5.0
Cotswolds villages guide was charming
Used this guide to plan a long weekend exploring Cotswolds villages with our border terrier Angus. The walking routes between villages were lovely - Bourton to the Slaughters was as pretty as described. Really appreciated the tips about which pubs genuinely welcome dogs versus just tolerate them. Found some lovely spots for lunch.
Helpful
That Bourton to Slaughters walk is gorgeous! Border terriers are perfect adventure size for village hopping. Glad you found the good pubs!
★★★★★5.0
Quintessentially English with our dog
Wanted a quintessentially English holiday and this guide delivered. Honey-coloured stone villages, tea rooms, country pubs - all with our cocker spaniel Mabel included. Broadway and Chipping Campden were highlights. The Cotswolds really are as charming as the postcards suggest, and surprisingly dog-friendly throughout.
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Mabel doing the quintessential English Cotswolds trip is wonderful! That honey stone never gets old.
★★★★★5.0
Village-to-village walks were perfect
The village-to-village walks were perfect for our holiday. Gentle terrain, beautiful scenery, pub stop at each end. Our golden retriever Charlie loved the pace - enough walking to tire him, but manageable distances. The guide's route suggestions connected the prettiest villages perfectly.
Helpful
That pub-to-pub walking rhythm suits dogs and humans perfectly! Charlie tired but not exhausted is the ideal pace.
★★★★★5.0
Bibury was as beautiful as described
Bibury was as beautiful as the guide described - though busy with tourists! The tip about early morning or late afternoon visits was helpful. We walked the meadows with our whippet Sage when the crowds had thinned. Arlington Row really is photogenic. Dog-friendly access to most areas too.
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Timing at Bibury makes all the difference! Sage exploring those meadows with fewer people is the way to enjoy it.
★★★★★5.0
Dog-friendly cafes and tea rooms found
The dog-friendly cafe recommendations were spot on. Found lovely tea rooms in Bourton-on-the-Water and Stow-on-the-Wold that genuinely welcomed our spaniel Bella. Afternoon tea with my dog beside me - very civilised Cotswolds experience. The guide knew the proper dog-welcoming spots.
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Afternoon tea with Bella is peak Cotswolds! Those genuinely welcoming tea rooms make the experience complete.
★★★★★5.0
Stow-on-the-Wold was our favourite
Stow-on-the-Wold became our favourite base as the guide suggested it might. Central location, good facilities, lovely walks in all directions. Our terrier Alfie loved exploring the alleyways and our daily walks to surrounding villages. Perfect Cotswolds base for dog owners.
Helpful
Stow's central position is ideal! Alfie exploring the alleyways and walking to villages sounds like the perfect routine.
★★★★☆4.0
Beautiful area, good dog info
Really lovely guide to the Cotswolds with dogs. The village descriptions, walking routes, and dog-friendly pub recommendations were all helpful. Four stars only because some villages get extremely crowded in summer - would have liked more emphasis on timing and quiet alternatives. But overall excellent resource.
Helpful
Fair point on summer crowds! Off-peak timing really helps in popular villages. Glad the core content was useful.
★★★★★5.0
Gentle walks suited our old dog
The Cotswolds gentle terrain suited our 12-year-old lab Bramble perfectly. Undulating but no serious hills, beautiful villages to rest in, cafes for breaks. The guide's suggestions for easier walks were exactly right. She managed everything at her own pace. Perfect destination for senior dogs.
Helpful
Bramble's gentle Cotswolds pace is lovely. That manageable terrain with rest stops suits seniors perfectly.
★★★★★5.0
Romantic weekend with our cockapoo
Used this guide for a romantic anniversary weekend in the Cotswolds with our cockapoo Biscuit. Charming villages, lovely walks, cosy pubs with fires. The guide's romantic spot suggestions - hidden gardens, quiet walks, atmospheric pubs - made it special. Biscuit was part of our celebration.
Helpful
Anniversary in the Cotswolds with Biscuit sounds magical! Those cosy pubs with fires are perfect for romantic trips.
★★★★★5.0
Photography spots for dogs highlighted
Appreciated the photography spot suggestions. Got beautiful photos of our German shepherd Luna at Arlington Row, the Slaughters, and various village greens. The guide mentioned good backdrops and quiet corners for dog photos. Instagram-worthy Cotswolds moments with our photogenic girl!
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Luna's Cotswolds photoshoot sounds gorgeous! Those honey stone backdrops are perfect for dog photography.
★★★★★5.0
Cirencester worth the visit
The guide mentioned Cirencester as a good dog-friendly town and it was worth the visit. Larger than the villages but still charming, with good cafes and a fantastic abbey grounds walk. Our retriever Sunny enjoyed the variety. Nice to balance tiny villages with a proper market town.
Helpful
Cirencester adds good variety! Sunny enjoying the larger town pace alongside village walks makes a complete trip.
★★★★★5.0
Pub walk circuits brilliant
The pub walk circuit suggestions were brilliant. Walk, pub lunch, walk some more, different pub for dinner. Our whippet Olive settled beautifully in each one - the guide was right that Cotswolds pubs are generally very dog-friendly. Did a different circuit each day. Perfect walking holiday format.
Helpful
Pub-to-pub circuits are the Cotswolds way! Olive settled in each one shows she's got the routine. Perfect format!
★★★★★5.0
Broadway Tower walk worth it
The Broadway Tower walk was worth the effort as the guide suggested. Bit more of a climb than other Cotswolds walks but the views are incredible. Our collie Skye loved the elevation and we could see for miles. The village of Broadway itself was charming too. Highlight of our trip.
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Broadway Tower views are spectacular! Skye enjoying that elevation is classic collie behaviour. Worth the climb!
★★★★★5.0
Hidden valleys discovered
The guide mentioned some hidden valleys away from the famous villages and they were beautiful. Our two terriers loved the quieter paths through fields and woodland. Not everything has to be about photogenic villages - the surrounding countryside is gorgeous too. Thanks for the less obvious suggestions.
Helpful
Those hidden valleys are special finds! Two terriers in quiet countryside is often better than crowded villages.
★★★★★5.0
Winter Cotswolds with our dachshund
Visited in January based on the guide's winter recommendations. Cosy pubs with fires, fewer crowds, atmospheric villages. Our dachshund Pickle was warm in his coat and loved the gentle cold-weather walks. The guide was right that off-season Cotswolds is special. Different but equally beautiful.
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Winter Cotswolds with a cosy dachshund is lovely! Pickle by the fire after walks is the dream. Off-season magic!
★★★★★5.0
Moreton-in-Marsh market day
The tip about Moreton-in-Marsh Tuesday market was great. Vibrant atmosphere, dog-friendly market, lovely town. Our spaniel Mabel was fascinated by all the smells and activity. A nice change from quiet village walks. The guide's suggestions for different activities added variety to our trip.
Helpful
Tuesday market in Moreton is a great experience! Mabel sniffing all the market smells sounds entertaining. Good variety!
★★★★★5.0
Cotswold Way sections manageable
The Cotswold Way section suggestions were helpful. We're not through-hikers but wanted a taste. The guide's recommendations for accessible sections worked perfectly for a day walk with our lab Max. Got the long-distance trail experience without the commitment. Properly satisfying walk.
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Cotswold Way taster sections are brilliant! Max getting that trail experience in a day is perfect.
★★★★★5.0
Castle Combe was magical
Castle Combe was as magical as the guide described - possibly the prettiest village in England. Arrived early as suggested and had it almost to ourselves. Our border collie Scout explored the stream and we got beautiful photos. The guide's timing advice made it a peaceful experience rather than a crowded one.
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Castle Combe early morning is magical! Scout in that stream with the village behind is picture perfect.
★★★★★5.0
Our anxious dog coped well
Wasn't sure if busy tourist villages would suit our anxious rescue Willow. The guide's tips about early mornings, quieter villages, and taking breaks helped her cope well. The Cotswolds' civilised pace was actually easier for her than wilder destinations. She enjoyed the structured walks and calm pub stops.
Helpful
Civilised Cotswolds pace suiting Willow is interesting! Sometimes structure and calm is better than wild for anxious dogs.
★★★★★5.0
Now our favourite UK destination
The Cotswolds is now our favourite UK dog destination thanks to this guide. The combination of beautiful walks, dog-friendly pubs, charming villages, and manageable terrain is unbeatable. Our staffie Bruno has been four times now. We keep discovering new villages and walks. Never gets old.
Helpful
Four visits and counting! Bruno's Cotswolds love affair says it all. That combination is hard to beat.
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