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If you are after a walk that is a little bit different or an attraction that is Instagram worthy then it's a good job you just stumbled across the Cotswold Wildlife Park.
It's not very often that you can casually drop into a conversation that your pooch met a Rhino at the weekend or post a photo of your fur baby next to a giraffe. Unless you own a service dog it is very unlikely they will get the opportunity to smell the weird and wonderful beasts that are housed at the park. It's pretty much a must visit!
Dogs are allowed in the majority of the park with certain enclosures (sensibly) out of bounds. You don't particularly want a German Shepard loose in the bat cave or your Malamute running off with the wolves. Otherwise the attraction is completely dog friendly; that means the Lions, Rhinos, Zebras and Giraffes (to name a few).
The attraction is mainly outside so best to visit on a nice day or dressed in your wellies and rain mac. The grounds are beautiful and even though there are kiosks, we took a packed lunch and watched the Rhinos galavant next to the manor house.
Amenities are decent with lots of parking (mainly on grass so again not the best attraction in a down pour), toilet blocks for humans and bins for our four legged friends.
Arlo had the best time smelling all the unusual animals. He especially liked the Emu and the Camels but was not remotely a fan of the Lions. I am sure the feelings were reciprocated as I suspect they didn't like the smell of him either. There are lots of other dogs visiting which I found really refreshing.
I really can't say enough good things about this place. The pups were pooped afterwards as it is great for canine enrichment.
Remember to let me know what you thought of your visit in the comments below!
minniemouse
28/08/2020 at 5:12 pmOh my dog!!
We love this place! Visited for the first time and had such an amazing day, the park is beautifully laid out and the grounds are absolutely stunning!
there are so many new things for dogs to see and smell!
there are a few of areas that dogs are not allowed that have free roaming animals, and also no dogs in the restaurant or shop, had they been in allowed in the shop and restaurant they would have scored a 10 for Furiendliness!!
there is still so much to see and do there!
Archie
08/09/2020 at 9:31 pmWildlife adventure!
One of the very few wildlife parks to accept dogs! Although dogs not allowed in bat caves, reptile building or free-roaming animal areas, there was plenty more to see including lions, giraffes and rhinos! Was a very good day out!
ChloeElizabeth
06/10/2020 at 11:58 amBEST day out ever !!
Buddy had the BEST time here as did we all ! We had a great day out, there are a few areas where dogs aren’t allowed for the safety of the animals, however there was plenty to do without these parts and if you have more than on human accompanying you then its easy to take turns to pop and see these animals.
Buddy loved watching the penguins and the meerkats in particular but enjoyed the whole day !
bearthehairypug
03/09/2021 at 5:05 pmpuggy day out
had a brilliant day at cotswold wildlife park with 75% of the animals being dog friendly spaces. we spent a good 3 hours with 2 pugs and a 14 year old. plenty of bins around for poop too which is always a plus with doggies. thoroughly enjoyable day out
cariadlola
13/01/2022 at 9:33 amA wild day out
A brilliant day out for those with 2 feet and 4 paws, lots of enrichment opportunities, dogs to meet and smells to smell. Most of the areas are dog friendly – they are only stopped from going in areas where the animals roam free amongst the visitors. From farm animals to penguins the wildlife park has it all – the park feels very open and there are lots of open spaces for dogs that may feel overwhelmed during busy periods. There are lots of places to eat whether you have brought your own or if you are looking to take some time out in a café. The gift shop has a wide variety of items typically found in similar attractions, but they also have a pet section! Lola was pleased to bits with her shark – it’s still one of her favourites to this day. We will be returning as soon as possible!
Pepper&Chip
12/03/2022 at 8:29 pm25.02.2022 was our pawrents 3rd wedding anniversary 💒
They love going to the zoo which unfortunately not something they now get to do with us having SA.
So they planned this whole trip to be able to visit the UK’s only @dogfuriendly zoo, @cotswoldwildlifepark! 🦁
And it did not disappoint! We loved sniffing all the new smells from all the different zoo animals. Some of the enclosures were behind walls too big for us to see over so we would ask the pawrents to pick us up so we could get a good look too!
Being half term there was lots of family’s about with their kids and dogs – which are big triggers for Peppers reactivity but she did amazingly! And even said hello to some new doggy friends 🐶
Considering as a warm up we took them to a dog friendly farm where they barked at anything at moved, they were both really well behaved and intrigued by all the different animals they got to sniff out.
We pretty much spent the whole day there from open to close and walked around the whole zoo twice! Which was a lot of walking for little legs!
@cotswoldwildlifepark also has a train 🚂 you can take around the park! They depart every 10 minutes or so and dogs are allowed on board!
It was £2 for each adult ticket in addition to the zoo entry.
We really enjoyed this extra trip around all the animal enclosures and a welcome opportunity to give those little legs a rest from all the walking!
Note, dogs aren’t allowed in indoor enclosures or walk throughs so the pawrents took it in turn to visit those whilst we waited outside with the other human. They are also not allowed inside the restaurant or the shop, but that was fine as the restaurant did takeaway and there was plenty of outdoor seating where we could dine with the pups.
We absolutely wished we lived closer so we could visit here more often! But one thing is for sure we will definitely be back!
Kirstie
19/03/2022 at 6:42 pmOmg!!! The best day out ever!!! Hardie’s little tail did not stop all day!!!
A fantastic experience with so much to see and even though there are a few areas that dogs are not allowed these are just the enclosure areas the majority is open and so dog friendly. Being able to get so close to the animals was amazing and Hardie particularly liked the meerkats and penguins.
The cafe itself does not allow dogs inside but there is a takeaway hutch at the side so you are able to access food and drinks. The gift shop also doesn’t allow dogs inside but as I visited on my own the staff were more than happy to let me in as long as he was carried.
Even though it is quite a far journey for us we will definitely be back and would recommend everyone attend. Can’t be any more positive about this place. We loved it