A Long Weekend in Dog Friendly Gloucester
- sarahforrester07
- Oct 6
- 5 min read
Updated: Nov 19
As dog owners, we love to go on holiday in the UK! Finding dog friendly accommodation has become so much easier since we first became dog parents in 1999 but finding things to do can be more difficult. There is nothing worse than arriving for your much deserved break with your doggie family and finding there’s nothing to do and nowhere to go. You will definitely not have this problem in Gloucester!
This itinerary offers full days out in specific areas across Gloucester, there is so much to do!
Top Tip: Don’t leave ‘home’ without a short lead per dog, poo bags, a collapsible bowl, some fresh water and some tasty treats.
Day 1 - Let’s Explore the Dog Friendly Gloucester Docks and the History of Our Waterways!
First things first, park your car at Alney Island Nature Reserve and give them some ‘off lead’ sniff time a chance to go to the toilet. Once you’ve parked your car in that car park you can leave it there all day - it’s perfectly located for the docks.
Next up, time for a refreshment stop. There are so many places to eat around the docks that are dog friendly. Blue Bamboo Bar is great for sports fans and Oliver’s offers amazing burgers and street food, however, for a great cuppa, light lunch or sweet treat - head to Hetty’s Place. You will receive a wonderful welcome at this vibrant little cafe.
Now everyone is feeling refreshed, head over to the National Waterways Museum. One of the few museums we have visited that allows dogs! It offers fun, interactive exhibits about the communities that have lived by the waterways, a café and a museum shop. You can take them with you throughout the museum and they can also join you in the cafe where they serve doggy ice-cream.
Take a leisurely stroll and you can window shop whilst the dogs have a chance to relieve themselves once more. There are plenty of shops but not many allow dogs inside so you may have to take it in turns for a good old browse.
As the day slowly turns into evening, our thoughts always turn to a hearty meal and a glass of something chilled. You will not be disappointed if you head to Dr Foster’s. With a great menu of food, beers and cocktails you are definitely in for a treat. Let the dogs relax underfoot as you tuck in.
You could choose one last walk on Alney Island before heading home if you have over indulged and need to walk it off a little. No judgement here!
Day 2 - The Cathedral Calls
Again let’s start with those off lead sniffs and give the dogs a chance to relieve themselves in relative privacy and peace and quiet. Park for the day at either Hare Lane South or Westgate Street Carpark and head to St Oswald’s Priory for a gentle off lead walk around the remains before taking a short walk on to Gloucester Cathedral itself.
Inspiring pilgrims for over 1300 years, discover the earliest and finest fan vaulted ceilings in the world, the tomb of a king, daily tours, and a diverse programme of events and activities. Entry to the Cathedral for general visiting is by voluntary donation of £5 per adult. The Cathedral has a few areas that are off limits to dogs but these are clearly explained. Check out their website or their listing on The Dog Friendly Map for more information.
After you have spent some time exploring the Cathedral you can either grab a cuppa in the Monk’s Kitchen, situated inside the Cathedral, or head back outside to Cafe 72. Both welcome dogs.
During the afternoon, explore the shops around the Cathedral and maybe buy a souvenir of your time in Gloucester! Some of the gift shops around Westgate that allow dogs include Gloucestershire Arts and Crafts Centre where local makers have lovingly created hand made treasures; Chez Rose, a lifestyle boutique offering thoughtfully selected gifts for you and your home and Cauldron Creations which specialises in offering spiritual services, crystals and incense.
Time for a cheeky pint? Once you’ve shopped to your hearts content - head for a relax in one of the many quality dog friendly pubs around the Cathedral area. The Pelican Inn (CAMRA West Central Pub of the Year 2025), The Turks Head, The Abbey, The Dick Whittington and The Cross Keys are all dog friendly and can be found nearby. But for us, our recommendation goes to the Drunken Duck! This place may be the smallest pub in Gloucester but it has a big heart and LOVES dogs! They even have their own pub dog, Ted. Dogs can expect free water and Scooby Snacks (dog biscuits) to make them feel at home. So relax and enjoy a drink while your 4 legged friends have a small doze.
Day 3 - Let’s Get Back to Nature
So far we have enjoyed a bit of history and culture. Today is about embracing the outdoors and all things flora and fauna! Gloucester has no less than five dog friendly garden centres in and around its borders and boasts Country Parks, arboretums and green spaces, some of which have visitor centres and cafes.
You can of course, choose to visit any and all of them but for their proximity to each other we recommend combining a trip to Crickley Hill Country Park with a visit to Brockworth Garden Centre. Both places have parking available and have dog friendly cafes.
A brisk walk in the Country Park followed by a slice of cake and a steaming cup of coffee in their cafe sounds like a perfect start for the day. Once you soaked in the views and had lungfuls of fresh air, head towards Brockworth Garden Centre for a browse and maybe even a second slice of cake. Again, no judgement!
Day 4 - Let’s Explore a Little Further Afield
Gloucester is gorgeous and offers such a fantastic base for exploring just a little further. If you enjoy a well kept beautiful garden then I can highly recommend a trip to Painswick Rococo Garden - the UK’s only surviving Rococo Garden (characterised by irregularity, asymmetry and fanciful and inconsistent ornamentation) Although it’s fairly small in nature, there is lots to see and explore! It really is a hidden gem, you won’t be disappointed.
Once you’ve had your fill of exploring the gardens you can stop off at The King’s Head in Upton St Leonards for a delicious meal to refuel you as you head on back to Gloucester.
Peace of Mind - Secure Dog Fields
When you are on your hols, it can be more difficult to find a place for ‘off lead’ walkies. We aren’t familiar with the area and it can sometimes just feel safer to keep them on lead. However, if your dogs are like mine, and won’t have a number two when they are on lead, this can cause a bit of an issue. The great news is that private dog fields are popping up all over at the minute and at the time of counting, Gloucester boasts three!
These fields are typically booked for your sole use for periods up to an hour and can be booked online. We can highly recommend Rascal’s Run, it is a 4 acre enclosed field with beautiful views. It has parking available and all equipment is provided (poo bags, balls, throwers etc. Even a paddling pool in the summer months) The dogs can poop off lead and we can relax knowing they are in a safe space and in no danger of running off in an area they are unfamiliar with.
There are so many choices in Gloucester and it really would be impossible to put them all into a short itinerary but hopefully this gives you an idea of how to spend your time away with your hounds. You can find a full list of dog friendly places at www.thedogfriendlymap.co.uk and more information about each venue too.
