A dog friendly festive walk in Tetbury
Amelia's guide to local walks in and around Tetbury has been a hit with dog owners, so here’s a festive twist: a simple, dog‑friendly Cotswold walk with a cosy pub at the end, perfect for Christmas, that strange in‑between bit before New Year, or a big New Year’s Day walk.
Whether you’re visiting Tetbury with your dog for a winter break or you live locally and need an easy “what shall we do today?” option, this Estcourt Estate route is tried, tested and very waggy‑tail approved.
The walk? Estcourt Estate. The pub? Cat & Custard.
"Number one on the festive list has to be the Estcourt Estate, with a there-and-back wander to the Cat & Custard Pot that makes a really lovely winter’s outing.
Think big skies, properly good mud (you’ll want decent boots), and those neat paddocks with some very beautiful horses peering over the fences as you go.
You can keep it short with one of the easy loops, but if you’ve got the time, carry on through the fields and down towards the pub for a slow, chatty walk that feels like a mini adventure without being too serious. It takes about an hour to walk to the pub.
The Cat & Custard Pot is one of the best traditional pubs around, so it’s well worth the extra steps for a plate of something hearty and a drink before you wander back, dog snoozing happily at your feet."
Before heading home swing by The Tetbury Pet Shop and make the most of our 'Wash n Go' service and give those muddy-pups a good scrubbing. We offer our professional grooming set up to make a deep clean of your dog as easy as (mince) pie! On new years eve we are open 10am - 3pm but closed on new years day, Christmas day and Boxing day.
There are endless options
If you’d prefer a walk closer to Tetbury town centre, or you’re after a shorter winter leg‑stretch before coffee, Amelia has plenty more dog‑friendly Cotswold walks to try – from village ambles with pretty cottages and different pubs at the end, to easy loops that work brilliantly for visiting family. Check out Amelia's blogs for walks, where to park and all things happy, healthy dogs.
Why Estcourt Estate
Estcourt Estate sits just outside Tetbury and has that very Cotswolds mix of old stone walls, tidy paddocks and long views, with much of the land now used for equestrian work and quiet recreational walking. It feels like a lived‑in, working estate rather than a showpiece stately home, which is exactly why it makes such a good, relaxed dog walk – you’re far more likely to meet a tractor or a string of racehorses than a coach tour.
Why the Cat & Custard Pot
The Cat & Custard Pot is that proper dog-friendly country pub you dream of after a muddy Cotswold walk – think roaring fire, hearty plates of pie or roast that hit the spot on a winter afternoon, and space for your dog to flop out happily while you sink a pint. Just a gentle hour’s ramble from Tetbury across Estcourt Estate, it’s the perfect end to a Christmas or New Year’s Day dog walk, with that traditional welcome that makes locals and visitors feel right at home. No fuss, just good food, cold beer and the sort of cosy vibe that turns a simple outing into something properly festive.