Sit up and sniff out our favourite dog-friendly places to stay in Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire is a delight for dog-walkers. Come to stroll the prehistoric Ridgeway, scamper to the giant white chalk horse in Uffington and meander through the gently rippling landscapes of the 102-mile Cotswold Way. Oxfordshire is sprinkled with thatched cottages and Cotswold stone houses in chic towns and villages. Explore it all from this selection of dog-friendly cottages and inns, five charming places that offer a warm welcome to your dog, with cosy spots in front of the fire, beds, treats, and country rambles from the door.
The Long House
Weekend getaways in this converted barn filled with intriguing art, quirky antiques and an honesty gin bar tick all the boxes. Those on two legs and four will delight in following the zig-zag country footpaths from the end of the drive or taking the eight-mile circular from the door (map provided). Inside, find bold colours, soaring ceilings and exposed elm beams. The kitchen comes with a bright blue Aga, there’s a combi-oven and homemade cake. The dining room is where you’ll find the gins (hurrah!) and leather sofas to sink into. Cuddle up in the sitting room in front of the freestanding wood burner (logs are on the house) and sleep in comfy bedrooms. Sit about in the sunny courtyard or hop in the car and visit Oxford.
Guest Sue: What a beautiful place to stay. We had the most comfortable, relaxing few days, and enjoyed some excellent walks.
Artist Residence Oxford
Lost in the country a few miles west of Oxford, this super-stylish inn with hip rooms is nothing short of fantastic. Expect a cool take on all things retro, with quirky art and a little neon mixed in for good measure. A selection of the stunning bedrooms are dog friendly – ready and waiting for each visiting dog is a bed, bowl and some Lily’s Kitchen organic treats. You eat in The Mason Arms (dogs welcome) amid ferns and flock wallpaper, or on the dining terrace in summer. Tuck into baked scallops and sweet chilli, burrata and olive tapenade, fish and chips or marinated lamb and mint yogurt, followed by a rhubarb and stem ginger crumble. Sip a digestif in front of the fire in the funky bar.
Guest Ella: One of my favourite hotels in the UK! I absolutely love staying here. The welcome is always so warm and friendly and the decor is just gorgeous. Food is superb too.
Stable Cottage at Manor Farm
Drive down a tiny lane, past a lake and then the village church, and you’ll find Stable Cottage in the grounds of the owner’s Queen Anne House. Arrive to a welcome pack that always includes a bottle of wine, flop down on comfy sofas by the fire in the sitting room, or sit out on your private terrace looking out at the manor house and landscaped lawns. Dogs can run free in the garden and there are heaps of circular walks in Cherwell Valley for ambling. There’s a feeling of peace here, but not complete isolation. The nearest pub and shop is a pleasant 45-minute stroll, and there are plenty of other pubs within three miles.
Guest Sadie: We had a very enjoyable and relaxing stay at Stable Cottage. The lovely orchard and secure garden were a particular bonus for our dog.
The Royal Oak
This lovely 1600s pub sits in the heart of the village. Walkers, locals with their dogs and lovers of good food will delight in its relaxed atmosphere. It’s a warm, soulful place with crackling log fires, smiley staff, local ales and a seasonal menu of classic pub food. The restaurant has a contemporary feel and from here an extension has full length windows opening on to the garden. Bedrooms, two of them dog-friendly, are all a good size and are individually decorated by clever owner Amy who masterminded the design. Join a ‘Step into the Cotswolds’ walk from the door and return to slump in a cosy armchair with a newspaper.
Inspector Ellie: The moment you set foot in The Royal Oak, you could easily never leave. The cosy tables around the fireplace, delightful rooms and welcoming staff makes it feel like a home-from-home, albeit much more luxurious!
The Red Lion at Northmoor
Lisa and Ian’s trio of stylish, immaculately finished huts all come with a double bed tucked into an alcove, flat-screen TV, wood burner and basket of logs, and a sparkling en suite shower room. Perfect for two plus your four-legged best mate. You’re kitted out with a kettle and sink, but for snacks, lunches and supper, stroll a few metres to Northmoor’s well-loved pub. Ian cooks everything from scratch using ingredients from nearby producers, seasonal veg from their kitchen garden and eggs from their hens. Wake to a spread of pastries, granola, juice and hot tea and coffee left outside your door in the morning. Soak up the sun on your little private patio or in the pub garden. Take long walks along the Thames Path or around Standlake Common.
Guest Aaron: Wow! What a place. Location is perfectly idyllic, the shepherd’s huts offer such a peaceful night’s sleep, and the food is stunning.
Written by
Carmen McCormack
Carmen is a freelance writer specialising in travel. She once lived in a bus in north Wales, skipped off to study in Barcelona, and now calls Bristol home. When she’s not tapping away on her laptop, she can be found reading (a lot), lake swimming (a little), and pottering on the allotment with husband and two kiddos. She’s currently dreaming about cold cerveza and torta in Mexico.
