Dog-Friendly Circular Walks in the Cotswolds (with a Cosy Pub at the End)
There’s nothing quite like a good walk with your dog: fresh countryside air, rolling hills, wagging tails and the promise of a hearty meal at the end. The Cotswolds is one of the UK’s most dog-friendly walking regions, with everything from gentle meadows to more adventurous hill climbs - and plenty of charming pubs to rest in afterwards.
We’ve rounded up a few of our favourite circular walks that suit a mix of abilities, so whether you’ve got a lively spaniel, a steady senior, or just want a mindful stroll yourself, you’ll find the perfect route. Each loop ends with a pub that welcomes muddy boots and paws alike.
1. Broadway & The Tower Loop (download route map)
Distance: 3 miles
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Highlights: Wide meadow paths, the charming village of Broadway, and the iconic Broadway Tower.
Pub Stop: The Broadway Hotel — roaring fires in winter, shady gardens in summer, and dogs welcome.
This loop takes you gently out of Broadway village, through rolling pasture, and up to Broadway Tower. The climb is steady but manageable, and the views across the Vale of Evesham are worth every step. Perfect for dogs who love space to roam without too much challenge.
2. Bourton-on-the-Water Riverside Loop (download route map)
Distance: 2 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Highlights: River Windrush, pretty stone bridges, and the picture-perfect streets of Bourton.
Pub Stop: The Croft Restaurant — sitting right on the riverside, with a lovely terrace for post-walk snacks.
A gentle circular stroll ideal for smaller or older dogs. This route meanders along the River Windrush, looping through meadows and back across Bourton’s famous low bridges. Flat, easy paths make it perfect for a relaxed, social outing.
3. Painswick Beacon Circular (download route map)
Distance: 4.5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Highlights: Hilltop views, Iron Age hillfort, and open common land.
Pub Stop: The Falcon Inn, Painswick — dog-friendly inside and out, with hearty seasonal dishes.
This circular loop starts in the “Queen of the Cotswolds” and climbs up to Painswick Beacon. From the top, you’ll get panoramic views across the Severn Vale. It’s a wonderful route for energetic dogs who love open space, though the hills give both two- and four-legged walkers a bit of a workout.
4. Lower Slaughter & Upper Slaughter Meadow Walk (download route map)
Distance: 3.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Highlights: Idyllic stone villages, peaceful meadows, and a quiet stretch of the River Eye.
Pub Stop: The Slaughters Country Inn — cosy, relaxed, and dogs welcome in the bar area.
This gentle circular walk links two of the Cotswolds’ most beautiful villages. Expect riverside paths, sheep-dotted fields, and plenty of picture opportunities. A slower pace makes it ideal for families or dogs who prefer calm countryside rambles.
5. Winchcombe Castle Circular (download route map)
Distance: 5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Highlights: Sudeley Castle, peaceful valleys, and stretches of the Cotswold Way.
Pub Stop: The Lion Inn, Winchcombe — a characterful coaching inn with dog-friendly nooks.
This is one for walkers (and dogs) who enjoy a good adventure. The circular trail takes in parts of the Cotswold Way, weaving past Sudeley Castle and through valleys of wildflowers. The terrain varies — expect a few hills — but it’s rewarding and full of variety.
Walks as Part of Wellness
Walking isn’t just exercise - it’s movement, fresh air, bonding, and balance. It’s good for your dog’s joints, digestion and mental health, and just as good for yours.
Don’t forget to bring Caboodle nutritious treats along for training and rewarding calm lead etiquette, and make sure fresh water is always to hand. Longer walks can also be balanced with our weekly meal plans, so your dog’s nutrition matches their lifestyle.
Download your route guides:
Broadway Tower Circular — 4–5 miles, easy–moderate, pub: The Broadway / Crown & Trumpet. Sources: AllTrails.com
The Broadway Hotel
The Times
Bourton-on-the-Water & The Slaughters Circular — 5.4 miles, easy, pub: The Croft (dogs welcome).
Sources: AllTrails.com, The Croft
Painswick Beacon Circular — 4–5.5 miles, moderate, pub: The Falcon (dog-friendly areas). Sources: 10Adventures, AllTrails.com
Lower & Upper Slaughter Meadow Circuit — 3.5–4.5 miles, easy–moderate, pub: The Slaughters Country Inn (dogs welcome in bar). Sources: AllTrails.com, Explore the Cotswolds, theslaughtersinn.co.uk
Winchcombe & Sudeley Castle Circular — 5–6 miles, moderate, pub: The Lion Inn (very dog-friendly). Sources: AllTrails.com, Explore the Cotswolds, Butcombe Pubs & Inns
Quick notes:
Pub dog-friendliness confirmed via venue pages/FAQs (The Croft, The Falcon, The Lion; Slaughters Country Inn). Always check on the day in case policies change or areas are full.
Bring OS Map OL45 (The Cotswolds) or a reliable app; some stretches cross fields with livestock and short road sections without pavements.
