After a dog-friendly hotel in the Cotswolds, with country charm and great food – then let me introduce you to Burleigh Court Hotel near Minchinhampton. This Grade II listed manor house is a Cotswolds hidden gem that will have you feeling refreshed and relaxed in no time. From the moment you step inside, you instantly want to slow down and enjoy your surroundings, from taking in the panoramic views and beautiful gardens to lounging in front of the roaring fire with a cocktail, all with your dog by your side.
Good dog-friendly hotels are hard to find, especially ones which allow you to take your dog with you to breakfast and dinner, as well as for a drink at the bar. At Burleigh Court Hotel, dogs are welcome throughout. The Coach House offers excellent rooms with outdoor access, and there is a separate dining room, so your four-legged friend doesn’t have to be left in the room when you have a fantastic, romantic meal at the hotel’s award-winning two-rosette restaurant.
The Hotel
Just driving through the narrow country lanes to get to Burleigh Court Hotel, you know you are in for a treat, and then you see the beautiful 19th-century manor house covered in seasonal colour overlooking the Stroud Valley, and you are excited to check-in. Inside is just as beautiful. The hotel, under new ownership, have done wonders with the interior, from the welcoming reception, complete with roaring fire and armchairs to sink into while you wait for your room, to a stunning lounge that has country charm with a touch of luxury.
We stayed two nights, and each night it was wonderful choosing a new corner of the lounge to relax into with a hot chocolate or a cocktail, with Falcon by our feet chatting to the other guests. I just love how they’ve balanced Instagram-worthy interior style with a cosy relaxed atmosphere. It really is the ideal spot to curl up with a book or play a board game.
Outside is just as idyllic, even in autumn and winter, the garden is still beautiful to wander around. But I think the outdoor space really will come into its own during the summer as there is an art deco plunge pool, open from mid-June to September, and you can relax in a hammock on the lawn.
Rooms
The hotel has 18 rooms, all individually designed, ranging from classic, cosy, superior, and noteworthy, as well as a spacious romantic master with a four-poster bed and spa bath, including five pet-friendly rooms in the adjacent historic coach house.
The dog-friendly rooms share their own entrance, with direct access to the grounds and a dog bathing station nearby, plus you can park close by to make it easier to unpack your dogs’ favourite things.
Our room was a superior double and it was spacious and beautifully decorated. I loved the dog-themed wallpaper and the fact the hotel had put out a dog bed for Falcon, which he loved, and bowls. The room also had a fridge, so if your dog eats raw or wet food that will come in handy. There were also amenities for the humans, with a tea and coffee station, lots of lovely tea and hot chocolate to choose from, as well as delicious biscuits.
We were also impressed with the bathroom, lovely size and the power shower hit the spot in the morning to wake us up before breakfast. The room also had a smart TV, so we could watch Netflix, which was a nice surprise.
I know dog-friendly rooms are generally not very luxurious, nearly, all the places we have stayed look a little tired, dogs can be a lot of wear and tear on a room, but I really appreciated the thought that the hotel had put into the room, and for our two-night stay I felt comfortable.
Breakfast at Burleigh Court
I love a hotel breakfast, and like with all food at Burleigh Court, it was outstanding. You could help yourself to the continental breakfast offering of cereals, fruit, yoghurt, toast, pastries, and fruit juice. As well as hot food, from a full English to French toast, avocado on toast, scrambled eggs, porridge, and even smoked haddock or salmon.
The first morning I opted for French toast, served with maple syrup and fruit, which was delicious, while my husband couldn’t resist the full English, which came with bacon, local sausages, grilled tomato, mushroom, fried bread, and a choice of eggs, he went for poached. As we had Falcon with us, the chef also sent out a special sausage, so he felt very spoilt and enjoyed every last bit of it.
On the second day, I decided to try the smashed avocado on sourdough with grilled tomato and scrambled eggs, recommended to me by the waiter, and my husband went for the smoked salmon and scrambled eggs. We both agreed that they were incredible eggs.
I also have to mention the pastries, seriously good, as well as the service, the staff at Burleigh Court are attentive and friendly, and made us feel very welcome and were happy to help.
As well as breakfast, we also had dinner at the hotel, and we loved it so much I’m putting together a separate blog on our fine dining experience, so do check back.
Dog-Friendly Nearby
Set in the midst of the Cotswolds, there are plenty of dog-friendly walks and attractions close to Burleigh Court, and if you aren’t sure where to go, reception is more than happy to help. The hotel also supplies easy to follow walks from its grounds with full instructions. We did an hour loop on our first day before the light faded, and it was enjoyable, and we didn’t get lost once, so the intrusions are definitely idiot-proof!!!
Close by, the hotel recommended walks on Minchinhampton and Rodborough Commons, as well as the National Trust’s Woodchester Park boathouse walk, a scenic walk in a secluded woodland valley. There is also another National Trust walk at Haresfield Beacon.
Other great dog-friendly spots that we enjoyed included Westonbirt Arboretum and we tried a few trails at Cotswold Water Park. I also really wanted to go to Painswick Rococo Garden, a picturesque place that allows dogs, but unfortunately, it is only open Friday to Sunday, and we stayed mid-week, so do check opening times before you travel to it.
Burleigh Court Hotel, The Roundabouts, Brimscombe, Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL5 2PF
