Reactive Dog Friendly B&B with its own private paddock
In July we enjoyed the most brilliant Reactive Dog Friendly B&B at Hare Barn in Dumbleton, in the Cotswolds countryside. As soon as we arrived we received the warmest of welcomes from the owner Jackie, who gave us a thorough tour and welcomed Loki. (She knew Loki was dog reactive so made sure to keep her dogs away when she came to greet us.) She lives on-site, just opposite and is always on hand and is truly the most incredible host!
Harebarns Location
Dumbleton is located in a peaceful and picturesque pocket of the Cotswolds, providing the ideal base to explore the surrounding area while providing a tranquil escape. I originally booked it as a base for our lavender photoshoot with Sophia Hutchinson at Cotswold Lavender - a dog friendly lavender farm a short drive from the B&B.
Interior
The interior exuded rustic charm and character with hare themed accents throughout. When we arrived there was a jar of dog treats, food and water bowls and even some freshly made flapjacks awaiting us inside. The kitchen is equipped with a kettle and microwave but no oven/hob. However, there were a few nice pubs and places to eat locally, so by the second night, once Loki had settled in, we were able to pop out for food and ordered takeaway on the other evenings. The bed is above and you have to go up a gorgeous spiral staircase to get up to the bedroom, the bed was super comfy and we had a fantastic few night’s sleep.
Private Dog Paddock
The secure and private paddock was just perfect for a reactive dog like Loki to explore and run around to his heart’s content. This Reactive Dog Friendly B&B doesn't have its own secure attached garden, but the paddock is just around the corner. I took Loki out front for wees on lead in the morning and evening and then took him into the paddock for a good run around throughout the day, whilst I lounged taking in the peaceful surroundings from the cosy outdoor seating area complete with the fire-pit. Watching Loki have his zoomies off lead in the fully fenced paddock gave me such peace of mind knowing he was safe yet able to roam and be his silly self.
I texted Jackie the times I was going to use the paddock to be extra cautious and ensure I didn’t bump into her and her dogs, but you have the paddock entirely to yourselves otherwise. Her two spaniels are also gorgeous I got a chance to meet them when Loki was out with dog dad. Something to be aware of though is opposite the paddock entrance is sometimes a small Jack Russell which can be a bit barky. We only saw it once out of the many times we used the paddock, but it may trigger some reactive dogs.
Local Things To Do
We took several day trips to nearby attractions including the nearby Cotswold Lavender Farm which was incredibly dog friendly and a must visit for fellow dog parents and photography lovers. We loved wandering through the fragrant purple fields and were able to take some brilliant photos among the lavender. We went on one of the days that had the later openings and the car park and entrance are wide enough that I was able to wait off to the side whilst dog dad got the entry tickets, leaving enough space for us to get in without being too close to any other dogs.
Once you're inside, its huge and people naturally want to be really spaced apart, as everyone is in there taking photos. It's an on lead area so you don’t have to worry about any off lead dog encounters, or at least you shouldn’t have to. We visited twice with Loki over the duration of our stay and had no problem with other dogs on either of the days.
There is also Cotswold Farm Park, which has some nice dog-friendly walking areas (we even spotted Adam Henson himself) as well as shops and a cafe which are all dog-friendly. The cafe even had water, treats and blankets too! Although please note dogs cannot go into the main parts of the farm with the farm animals.
We went early-morning, mid-week, during term time, so it was the quietest it could possibly be, and we got away with only seeing one dog the whole time, which was perfect. We mostly just wandered around the maze and flower fields, not the longer walking routes so I’m not sure how narrow or wide all the paths are.
Bed and Breakfast
Overall our bed and breakfast experience at Hare Barn was brilliant. Each morning, our wonderful host delivered a fresh continental breakfast spread, with her own homemade flapjacks, right to our door, exactly when requested - the perfect fuel for our daily adventures.
The paddock was perfect for Loki and the area was simply stunning. We’re already looking forward to returning to Hare Barn again - this cosy B&B is a must-visit destination for dog lovers looking to holiday in the Cotswolds.
Till next time Woofs, Lorren & Loki