There are some beautiful walks around the UK and we should know! At World Walks, we have built our company on the foundations of our extensive local knowledge of the walks in England and, more specifically in the Cotswolds. In our experience, lots of people get into walking because of they have a four-legged friend who depends on the exercise. But don’t just settle for the walks around your immediate area, there are so many fantastic walks in England well within reach; and your pup will probably think they’ve died and gone to doggy heaven!
Bath is one of the most beautiful places in The Cotswolds if not one of the prettiest cities in the country, it is also home to many dog friendly establishments. As a start/end point for The Cotswold Way footpath it is not far from the hills and open fields of The Cotswolds. The last section of this fantastic path into Bath is a great walk for dog lovers. Although the last part of the walk involves walking into the city and therefore keeping any dogs on a close leash, the first part consists of hilltop and farmland where there is more opportunity for dogs to stretch their legs. The transition from open countryside to the grandeur of Bath Abbey, is a unique walk in The Cotswolds, and even better dogs and owners can relax with a drink at the dog-friendly Bath Brew House
The charming village of Broadway in the North Cotswolds is a delight to walk through, with old limestone cottages and buildings lining the high street. It also lies below Broadway Tower which sits atop one of the highest points in the escarpment and offers commanding views. Walkers can take a circular walk from the village and through fields, uphill to the tower. The uphill climb will certainly test the walkers fitness but your canine companion will appreciate the run and the view from the top is certainly worth it. Winding your way back down to the village, the crown & Trumpet Inn welcomes dogs and is an excellent place to sit down for a hard earned rest.
Winchcombe is one of the larger villages in the Cotswolds but remains pleasantly unspoilt. It is also an interesting area with Sudeley Castle, and ancient monuments around the village. An excellent walk involves a circular route out of the village to Belas Knap, a fascinating and ancient Neolithic monument before continuing to Cleeve Common at the top of Cleeve Hill. Walkers can expect to navigate some steep sections and stiles along the way, but it is a excellent walk for dogs with plenty of open space, especially on Cleeve Common which is a large expanse of open grassland where dogs can roam pretty much where they want and which offers wide views over Cheltenham and beyond. Returning to Winchcombe, walkers can rest up at the Lion Inn where dogs are welcome.
For those wishing to take a longer trip with their dogs, one option is to do a trip over several days through the Cotswolds such as The heart of the Cotswolds walk, which goes from village to village. Staying at special dog friendly establishments along the way, walkers will experience the changing landscapes of woodland, fields and hillsides and although dogs may have to stay on the lead around roads and livestock there are plenty of opportunities for dogs to roam off the lead along the way and also plenty of dog friendly attractions such as Batsford Arboretum, Stanway House and many friendly pubs along the way.
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