Covering six counties, including parts of Gloucestershire, the Cotswolds is one of the UK's most popular staycation destinations – with rolling countryside, national walking trails and plenty of dog-friendly pubs making it a top choice for people travelling with canine companions.
Delivering all the inspiration for your next getaway, SoGlos handpicks some wonderful dog-friendly holiday homes and cottages that give families the chance to explore England's prettiest villages, walk along the Cotswold Way and soak up the stunning scenery, all with their four-legged friend by their side.
Leonard Stanley House near Stonehouse
Boasting impressive Regency architecture and expansive grounds, this grandiose Georgian house has space for the whole family, sleeping up to 18 people and four canine companions for an unforgettable staycation in the Stroud district – with relaxed living spaces and a games room, as well as a formal dining room for sophisticated get-togethers.
Ideally situated for walkies in the Five Valleys, nearby trails lead to beauty spots like Standish Woods, Harefield Beacon and the Stroudwater Navigation canal. Selsley Common is approximately three and a half miles from the house, while the grounds of Woodchester Mansion, just over five miles away, are dog-friendly, too. And there's even a boot room for muddy shoes!
Visit boltholeretreats.co.uk/leonard-stanley-house for more information.
The Landers in Little Witcombe
Complete with an outdoor swimming pool, hot tub and barbecue for cooking up a storm, The Landers is one of our top picks for a summer staycation, accommodating up to 10 people and four dogs. Situated in the Gloucestershire hamlet of Little Witcombe, it's in a great spot for keen walkers, with easy access to the 102-mile Cotswold Way trail – leading to Crickley and Leckhampton Hills in one direction, and the famous Cheese Rolling destination, Coopers Hill, in the other.
It's also just over five miles from Painswick Rococo Garden, one of Gloucestershire's loveliest dog-friendly attractions, where families can enjoy woodland walks and spotting fanciful follies with their four-legged friends.
Visit boltholeretreats.co.uk/the-landers for more information.
Field View near Cirencester
With wisteria and roses adorning its stone walls, this pretty Cotswold cottage is like something from a storybook – not least because it enjoys breath-taking bucolic views over the surrounding fields and farmland. It's beautiful inside too, with plenty of period features, welcoming social spaces and stylish modern touches.
Accommodating five people and two dogs, Field View is just five miles from the 'capital of the Cotswolds', Cirencester, where you'll find independent shops, dog-friendly eateries and the grand Cirencester Park. Meanwhile, there are walks from the doorstep following the Monarch's Way and the Macmillan Way and it's a short drive from the heart of Cotswold Water Park, where there are more than 150 lakes to ramble around.
Visit boltholeretreats.co.uk/field-view for more information.
27 Horsefair in Malmesbury
Great for exploring the south Cotswolds, including the dog-friendly Westonbirt Arboretum in Tetbury, 27 Horsefair has all the marks of a quintessential Cotswold cottage while enjoying modern décor and amenities. It can accommodate up to four people across two bedrooms, as well as one dog.
For active families, Michinhampton Common is under half an hour's drive away and provides fantastic walking opportunities for wearing out energetic pups; while there's a gentle, two-mile circular walk straight from the door, following the River Avon around the outskirts of Malmesbury for a more relaxed stroll with the dog.
Visit boltholeretreats.co.uk/27-horsefair for more information.
The Granary at Hunt Court near Cheltenham
Set in a 25-acre farm on the outskirts of Cheltenham, The Granary at Hunt Court offers pure countryside escapism for up to four people and two dogs. Guests are surrounded by open farmland on the edge of the Cotswolds, with easy access to public footpaths and walks on the owners' land – just ask them for directions.
Enjoy searching for the mysterious Devil's Chimney at Leckhampton Hill, where there's plenty of open space for dogs to run free, before cosying up in front of the wood-burning stove.
Visit boltholeretreats.co.uk/granary-at-hunt-court for more information.
George III at Sudeley Castle
A comfortable apartment cottage on the Sudeley Estate near Winchcombe, George III sleeps four people across two double bedrooms, welcoming up to two dogs, too. Arranged over two floors, there's plenty of space for families to spend quality time together in this old converted forge, which shares a lovely decking area with the neighbouring properties.
On the doorstep, the 42-mile Winchcombe Way offers endless walking opportunities and routes to nearby Cotswold towns and villages; while there are some gorgeous trails surrounding Sudeley Castle's grounds. Guests also get free admission to Sudeley Castle throughout their stay, which is well-worth a visit – although dogs are only allowed in its visitor centre and café.
Visit boltholeretreats.co.uk/george-iii-at-sudeley-castle for more information.
2 Manor Lodge Cottages in Paxford
Packed with Cotswold character, 2 Manor Lodge Cottages is a charming 19th century property in the sleepy village of Paxford. A lovely place for a family getaway, it sleeps four people and one dog, with a picture-perfect garden for alfresco dining and a cosy open fire to curl up by in the evening.
The cottage is surrounded by countryside walks in all directions, with a stock of handy maps to guide you. Dog-walking hotspot Dover's Hill is little over four miles away and Chipping Campden, just three miles down the road, marks the start of the Cotswold Way – giving you access to nearby villages and beauty spots on foot.
Visit boltholeretreats.co.uk/2-manor-lodge-cottages for more information.
Woodfields in Kineton
While it's a little further afield, this cosy cottage is a great base for exploring the north Cotswolds. Tucked away in the quaint village of Kineton, it's less than half an hour's drive from hotspots like Chipping Campden, where you can join the start of the Cotswold Way; Moreton-in-Marsh; and Batsford Arboretum, which welcomes dogs for walkies around its 52-acre site.
Woodfields is bursting with olde-worlde charm, marked by low-beamed ceilings, exposed stone walls and huge open fireplaces with wood-burning stoves. It sleeps eight people and can accommodate one well-behaved dog.
Visit boltholeretreats.co.uk/woodfields for more information.
Tiesel Cottage in Brockhampton
Accommodating up to four people and two dogs, this chocolate-box terrace cottage is charmingly traditional with a light and airy feel. Based in the peaceful village of Brockhampton, guests can enjoy walks from their doorstep or travel just over three miles to Cleeve Hill for a more challenging hike. It's a good opportunity to search for the ancient monument Belas Knap, a fascinating Neolithic long barrow situated on the hill, too.
After a day of adventures, get cosy with the dog in front of the wood-burning stove, relax with a drink on the front patio or take yourself off for a restorative soak in the clawfoot bathtub.
Visit boltholeretreats.co.uk/tiesel-cottage for more information.
Old Manse near Chipping Norton
This impressive Victorian property caters well for big groups, sleeping up to 10 holidaymakers and three dogs, with reception rooms for socialising and an enchanting country garden that spans a whole acre.
Not far from Chipping Norton, it enjoys walks from the doorstep while being within easy reach of dog-friendly days out like Cotswold Wildlife Park. It's also just over half an hour's drive from one of the Cotswolds' most famous towns, Bourton-on-the-Water, where dogs are welcome inside the Cotswold Motoring Museum, Greystones Farm Nature Reserve and Birdland.
Visit boltholeretreats.co.uk/old-manse for more information.
