5 dog friendly days out in Gloucestershire
Pack the dogs, the kids and the leads into the car and make your way to Gloucestershire the next time you need a dog-friendly break or a day out. Its prime location by the Severn River and in the Cotswolds, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, make it a first-class experience, but there are also a range of non-walking based activities to enjoy in this neck of the woods.
GWSR – Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway
The GWSR, which is the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway, is a heritage railway in Gloucestershire and Worcestershire which goes from Cheltenham Racecourse and Broadway through the beautiful Cotswold scenery. The round trip is 28 miles and well-behaved dogs and leaves can enjoy the locomotive wind through their fur as you chug along past quaint little villages and luscious hills.
Dogs are not allowed in the food and beverage establishments, so you either need to be comfortable tying your dogs up outside while you pop in for tea or food, or visit with more than one person so you can take turns when it comes to things like using the bathroom or buying a cuppa.
Visiting with dogs:
A maximum of 2 dogs can accompany any single group of people
Dogs to be kept on a lead at all times whilst on railway premises or trains.
Dogs are only allowed on the floor and not on seats, tables or laps.
Website: gwsr.com
Address: Toddington Station, Toddington Railway Station, New Town, Toddington GL54 5DT
Birdland Park & Gardens
Who said the Cotswolds were just green fields for miles? Only someone who hasn’t visited the wonderful Birdland Park & Gardens to see the astonishing ecosystem of birds and their Jurassic ancestors set in nine acres of gardens and woodland, in over 50 aviaries.
While your dogs may not be able to tell their King Penguins from their hornbills, or identify that while the Jurassic creatures may be life-sized, they’re not alive, it is no doubt a learning opportunity for you as well as one to admire nature’s spectacular bounty. Not to mention, they’ll know there is no shortage of woodland terrain to amble across and smells to discover.
Visiting with dogs:
Dogs are welcome at Birdland Park & Gardens but must be kept on a lead at all times.
Water bowls can be found in the park by the café.
Website: Birdland Park & Gardens
Address: Rissington Rd, Bourton-on-the-Water,Gloucestershire, GL54 2BN
Cirencester Park
Cirencester Park was once a deer park in the 1700s, laid by the first Earl Bathurst. It was also a military base, a hospital and the venue for a Glenn Miller concert. Today, it is a dog-friendly day out that still affords you the opportunity to see deer roaming the grand park. As if this wasn’t already a recipe for success when it comes to dog-walking, what with its varied dog walking areas and permissive farmland walks, but a trial is currently underway to make more dog paths in the area.
Your dog needs to remain on their lead, you both need to remain on the dog-friendly paths, and you need to clear up after them, but this is made easy because the paths are lined with bins and clearly signposted to make sure you’re going the right way.
Visiting with dogs:
Well behaved dogs are always welcome in the park.
In addition to the usual dog walking areas and permissive farmland walks, a trial is also being run for to create a new network of dog walking routes within the Park.
View a map of available dog walks here.
Website: Cirencester Park
Address: The Bathurst Estate, Cirencester Park, GL7 2BU
Woodchester Park
The National Trust is functioned to preserve history and natural beauty, but there’s no denying that whatever it does, it manages to ensure a great day out for the dogs, too. Even if it’s not strictly intentional. While dogs on leads are allowed on the paths of Woodchester Park’s valleys, cycling is not, which is always a relief for dog-walkers because the two can make for a real pain on narrow roads.
The paths are rather steep and not always even, so make sure you’re kitted out accordingly. Be sure to keep an eye out for the unfinished Victorian Mansion, as well as the carp swimming around the Park Mill Pond!
Visiting with dogs:
Dogs are welcome at Woodchester Park but should be kept on a lead at all times.
Website: Woodchester Park
Address: Nympsfield, near Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, GL10 3TS
Elton Giant Mazes
The Elton Giant Mazes and Elton Activities Maze are a whole load of fun for the family and a great way to explore the Forest of Dean. In fact, having a dog in tow will probably be helpful for you, because we all know they’re more likely to sniff their way out than most of us!
Naturally, keeping your dog on a lead is important – if you can’t even find your own way, finding them after some sporadic left-right decisions ought to make for a rather stressful time. Mazes are suitable for all ages and grow to a height of 2m, so are usually harder for the dogs and kids than the adults but still challenging for most average-height people!
Visiting with dogs:
Dogs are welcome at Elton Giant Mazes and are allowed in the Courtyard and also in the Maize Mazes.
Website: Elton Giant Mazes
Address: Elton Farm, Littledean Road, Newnham-on-Severn, Gloucestershire, GL14 1JU
