A Dog-Friendly Weekend in the Cotswolds

A dog-friendly weekend in the Cotswolds is built around walking: base yourself near the northern end of the Cotswold Way, walk a section each day between villages such as Chipping Campden, Broadway and Winchcombe, and follow the Countryside Code around livestock. Pack for mud and changeable weather, keep a lead to hand, and check signs as you go, because rules on farmland change through the year.

Why the Cotswolds suits a weekend with your dog

The Cotswolds National Landscape covers 790 square miles and has been a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty since 1966. It runs from Bath and Wiltshire in the south, through Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire, to Warwickshire and Worcestershire in the north. It is a landscape of limestone villages, beech woods, meadows and valleys, with a dramatic escarpment looking out over the Severn Valley and the Vale of Evesham.

For dog owners, the appeal is simple: footpaths link many of the villages, so you can often leave the car parked and set off on foot.

The Cotswold Way

The Cotswold Way National Trail runs for 102 miles (164km) from the market town of Chipping Campden in the north to Bath, finishing outside the west doors of Bath Abbey. Few people walk it in a weekend, but its northern half is ideal for a series of day walks. Heading south, the trail passes:

• Broadway and Broadway Tower
• Stanton and Stanway
• Winchcombe, Hailes Abbey and Belas Knap
• Cleeve Hill, Leckhampton Hill and Crickley Hill Country Park
• Painswick, Dursley and Wotton-under-Edge

Before you set out, look at a map for stiles, steep climbs and fields that may hold livestock. Some dogs need lifting over stiles, so a harness with a handle or a back clip can help.

A suggested weekend

Saturday: Chipping Campden and Broadway

Start where the trail starts. Chipping Campden is the official beginning of the Cotswold Way, and the walk south towards Broadway takes in open views from the escarpment and Broadway Tower. Plan your return before you leave: either walk back the same way, arrange a lift, or check local bus timetables in advance.

Sunday: Winchcombe and the hills

Winchcombe makes a good base for a shorter circular walk. The Cotswold Way passes nearby Hailes Abbey and climbs towards Belas Knap and Cleeve Hill, giving you a choice of gentle valley paths or a more energetic hill climb depending on your dog's age and fitness.

Whichever walks you choose, check opening times and dog policies directly with any attraction, pub, café or place to stay before you travel, as these change from season to season.

The Countryside Code with dogs

The Cotswold Way passes through farmland and grazing, so the Countryside Code matters. It sets out what is expected of dog owners:

• Keep your dog under effective control. Keep it away from wildlife, livestock, horses and other people unless invited, and keep it on a lead or in sight. Be confident it will come back on command, and do not let it stray from the path.
• Use a lead around livestock. This is good practice everywhere. On Open Access land and at the coast it is a legal requirement.
• Know the nesting season. On Open Access land, dogs must be on a lead from 1 March to 31 July, even if there is no livestock present. Take care not to disturb wildlife, including birds that nest on the ground.
• If cattle or horses threaten you, let your dog off the lead. Do not risk injury protecting it. Your dog can run away more easily on its own.
• Bag and bin it. Always clean up after your dog. Never leave bags lying around to collect later. Any public waste bin will do, and if there is not one, take the bag home.
• Check local signs. Leads may be required for all or part of the year, and some areas do not allow dogs at all, apart from assistance dogs.

A farmer can lawfully shoot a dog that is attacking or chasing livestock and may not have to compensate the owner, which is a very good reason to keep your lead on near sheep and cattle.

What to pack

• A reliable lead. You will be clipping on and off at every field gate. The Signature Lead comes in 120cm or 170cm, and the longer length gives a little more freedom on quiet paths.
• Water. Village taps and streams are not guaranteed. The Companion water bottle has a built-in bowl and works with one hand.
• Rain protection. Hilltop weather changes quickly. The Regent Raincoat is waterproof soft-shell with a fleece lining and reflective detailing, useful for walks that end at dusk.
• Towels, poo bags and a blanket from home, so your dog settles quickly wherever you stay.
• ID. Your dog should wear a collar with your name and address on it in public places, and must be microchipped. See our guide to dog ID tag law.
• A printed or downloaded map, as mobile signal can be patchy in the valleys.

For more ideas on kit, our guide to the best dog walking accessories works just as well in the country as in town.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Cotswold Way?

The Cotswold Way National Trail is 102 miles (164km) long, running from Chipping Campden in the north to Bath Abbey in the south.

Do dogs have to be on a lead in the Cotswolds?

Not everywhere, but the Countryside Code says to keep dogs on a lead around livestock, and on Open Access land dogs must be on a lead from 1 March to 31 July. Always follow local signs.

What should I do if cattle approach me and my dog?

The Countryside Code advises letting your dog off the lead if you feel threatened by livestock or horses, rather than risking injury protecting it.

Where is a good base for a dog-friendly Cotswolds weekend?

Chipping Campden, Broadway and Winchcombe all sit on or near the Cotswold Way, so you can walk straight from your door.