Places to Visit with Your Dog
This Autumn In The Cotswolds 🐾
Autumn is one of the best time of year for dog days out here in the Cotswolds. The leaves are turning, the air is crisp, and there are plenty of local events and day trips to enjoy with your pup!
Living in Gloucestershire, Chicken and I are so lucky to be surrounded by dog-friendly happenings! When I was a dog walker, I loved discovering local events and bringing my four-legged friends along. This year is my first autumn not walking dogs, so I’ve put together this blog post with some wonderful things you and your pup can enjoy on weekends, in and around the Cotswolds.
🍁 September
Dog Fest – Bristol - 6-7 September
DogFest at Ashton Court is one of mine and Chicken’s absolute favourites and we cannot wait to attend (and enter 'Best Hairstyle'! 😉) There are so many fun activities to have-a-go at, displays to watch and puptastic shops to check out, alongside The Agria Dog Walk.
Jolly Nice Dog Show – Stroud - 7 September
Right on me and Chicken's doorstep, A Jolly Nice Dog Show is back! With classes such as Best Rescue, Veteran, Crossbreed, and more. Perfect if you want something local without travelling far.
Guided Cotswold Dog Walk – Cotswold Farm Park -7 September
Start your Sunday with a guided walk around Adam Henson’s farm park. It’s a chance to enjoy fresh air, meet other dog lovers, and explore some beautiful farmland. It's only £2 and includes a free drink from the coffee bar - or, If you do not redeem your drink, they will donate the cost to Dog's Trust!
Whiteway Colony Fete & Dog Show - Whiteway -7 September
The Whiteway Colony Fete is a family friendly day out with lots of stalls, games and more! Expect Morris Dancers, live music, a BBQ, tarot reading and of course the Dog Show! Which is sponsored by Clockhouse Vets.
Cotswold Dogs & Cats Home Dog Show - Dursley -13 September
Support the wonderful Cotswold Dogs & Cats Home at their Fun Dog Show! Alongside the show, there’ll be stalls, games, face painting and Doggy pup cups, all the yummy and dog friendly cafe The Leaf & Ground in Dursley.
Minch Country Fayre - Minchinhampton -13 September
At Minch Country Fayre you can expect vintage car displays, live music, Punch & Judy shows, a fun fair, mini-golf and more. The wonderful Pamper & Scamper will be running a dog show with with support from Alice at Canine Hearts and Minds. Walk through stalls, enjoy flower demos in the church, or even take part in the quirky “Minch Moo” race.
Horsley Fete & Fun Dog Show – 13 September 2025
At Horsley Fete you can expect Morris dancing, live music, stalls, classic cars, a bouncy castle, raffle, BBQ, and plenty of tea and cake. The Fun Dog Show (sponsored by George Vet), will be running alongside the ever-popular craft & produce show. Entry is by donation, with all profits supporting Horsley’s much-loved 3-in-1 community building!
Dog Day – The Red Lion, Long Compton – 27 September
A fun-packed day for dogs and their humans! Expect a fun dog show with rosettes and prizes, doggy makeovers and photos, the chance to decorate your own bandana, and timed retrieval scurries. There’ll also be training tips, a charity raffle for the Cotswolds Dogs & Cats Home, plus stalls selling gifts, treats and more.
Wag Walk – Bath Cats & Dogs Home - 28 September
A little further out but worth the drive — choose from a 2- or 5-mile charity walk for Bath Cats and Dogs Home along the National Trust Bath Skyline while supporting a great cause.Dogs pay, humans go free, and each pup gets a funky bandana and a goody bag to show they’ve taken part!
Five Valleys Walk – Stroud & Cotswolds – 28 September
A flagship sponsored walk through the stunning Cotswold countryside, raising money for Meningitis Now. Routes range from 1.5 miles up to the full 21 miles, and you can start or finish at any of the eight checkpoints. Enjoy local food and entertainment along the way, with free Stagecoach buses running back to your starting point. Dogs are welcome, and the day rounds off at Stroud Cricket Club with live music, hot food, and a celebratory pint for those who complete the full distance.
The Great Global Greyhound Walk – Minchinhampton - 28 September
A WORLDWIDE annual event celebrating greyhounds, whippets, salukis, galgos, borzois, podencos, lurchers and other sighthound breeds! our local Global Greyhound Walk takes place on Minchinhampton Common, starting from the Old Lodge. There will also be vegan cakes and sausages for the dogs - where donations go to the wonderful Forever Hounds Trust.
Lydbrook Fete Fun Dog Show – Lydbrook Recreation Ground – 28 september
At The Lydbrook Fun Dog Show there are rosettes for 1st to 3rd place, and all 1st place winners go through to the Best in Show. Expect fun categories like Prettiest Bitch, Most Handsome Dog and Best Resuce. All proceeds go towards improving the children’s play area at Lydbrook Hall.
Worth the Trip:
All About Dogs – Lyde Court - 20 September
All About Dogs full day is a day of tail-wagging fun in the beautiful countryside setting of Lyde Court. Whether you’re a proud pup parent or just love being around dogs, this event is packed with activities, competitions, and treats for everyone.
Paws in the Park – Kent - 20-21 September
Have-a-go dog games and activities to try from flyball, agility, cani-cross and gundog scurries. From fun dog shows and competitions to a K9 Aquazone, this dog festival is packed with exciting arena displays and dog-friendly entertainment. Paws in the Park has loads of new dog activities to try whatever your dog’s breed or ability plus lots of shopping for your furry friends. If your taking the trip, there is also dog-friendly weekend camping.
Chicken at Cotswold Farm Park
🍂 October
DogFest Blenheim Palace – Oxfordshire - 4–5 October
Another big-scale DogFest, this time set against the backdrop of Blenheim Palace. A day trip with plenty of activities and stalls to explore!
Cotswold RDA Fun Dog Show – Cheltenham Racecourse – 5 October
A great afternoon out for dog lovers with fun showing classes from 1pm! There will also be stalls selling canine accessories and gifts, plus a tombola, raffle and refreshments.
Dog First Aid Course – The Butchers Arms Sheepscombe - 7 October
A Canine First Aid Level 2 Course (VTQ), suitable for all dog owners and professionals. Learn how to deal with choking, heat stroke, administer SPR and more.
Dee & Griffin Dog Swim – Cheltenham Lido - 11–12 October
Cheltenham’s lido closes its season by opening the pool to dogs! The Dee & Griffin Dog Swim is always a wonderful event, with wagging tails everywhere. We are proud to say we can't remember the last time we DIDN'T attend this event, and we've brought so many 4 legged friends along over the years... Chicken has her bodyboard ready!
The Big Bark – Cirencester Park - 18–19 October
Cirencester Park comes alive with stalls, amazing performances, charity dog shows and more at the Big Bark! Rescheduled due to the unexpected heat wave - a big social day for dogs and owners alike, right in the heart of the Cotswolds!
Pup-kin Patch – Dobbies (Tewks + Ciren) - 25, 26, 31 October + 1 November
Dobbies Pup-kin Patch is a dog-friendly event where pups can sniff around, pick their own autumn toy to take home, play games, and pose for a seasonal paw-trait. Tickets include a toy, fun activities, and even a puppuccino stop!
It’s all in support of Dogs Trust, helping pups in need while we make some cosy autumn memories.
Chicken and her bestie, Paco with hooman Ruby At Dee and Griffin Dog Swim
🎃 November
Halloween Dog Walk – Cheltenham Animal Shelter, 1 November
⭐Chicken's Favorite Event
Get spooky and join this themed walk to raise money for Cheltenham Animal Shelter. Fancy dress encouraged (for humans and pups who don’t mind it!). A event me and my mum try to make every year, we also LOVE their Festive Walk in the christmas period.
🎃 Throughout Autumn
Cotswold Country Park & Beach Dog Swim
Let your pup make a splash! These dog swim sessions at the Cotswold Country Park & Beach are a brilliant way to burn off some autumn energy!
Westonbirt The National Arboretum
Autumn at Westonbirt is something every local dog owner should experience. With over 2,500 species of trees, the arboretum is world-famous for its autumn colour and doggos on leads are welcome across the Silk Wood side. It’s breathtaking for walkies.
Chicken at Westonbirt
🎃 Pumpkin Picking With Your Pup
No autumn is complete without a pumpkin patch trip. Luckily, we have some fantastic local options where dogs on leads are welcome!
Here are our two most favourite dog friendly Pumpkin Patches we visit every year!
Cotswold Farm Park PYO Pumpkins – rows of pumpkins, farm fun, carving and fantastic photo opportunities!
Over Farm, Gloucester – A brilliant pumpkin-picking spot, with food stalls and lots of seasonal cheer. We love the mud!
Chicken at Over Farm
✨ Final Thoughts
We’re spoiled for choice here in the Cotswolds when it comes to dog-friendly autumn activities. From cosy local shows to bigger day trips, there’s something for every pup. So wrap up warm, pop your dog in their Poochie Suit if it’s chilly, and make the most of autumn together! 🧡
I'll be continuing to add to this list,
Got an event to suggest? Let us know!
🍂 Snuggle Season Inspo:
1 comment
This sounds fun