We will be taking a holiday in Gloucestershire this Summer with our dog.  Could anyone recommend a PARK to visit (whether on or off lead), or Open Land to enjoy walks?

Are there any GARDENS that will allow dogs (obviously on lead)?

Also, what pretty/interesting villages or small towns would you suggest visiting?

Anywhere within Gloucestershire, as we are quite happy to travel around the area.

Grateful thanks for any suggestions,
Linda.

There are some lovely walks in the Forest of Dean.There is Crickley hill country park which has lovely views,Cleeve Hill, Leckhampton Hill and Barrow Wake which are all near Cheltenham.Painswick Beacon near Stroud is also good.

Between Cirencester and Stroud lies the village of Sapperton. Just north of this village is a pub called The Daneway Inn. The Inn is sited next to the Thames and Severn canal which has long been disused. Across the road from the Inn you can access the tow path and walk along the side of canal. It is extremely pretty. Lots of wildlife here including deer, foxes, badgers, herons, kingfishers and dippers. There isn't much water in the canal, it's mainly mud which the iris's love! If your dog goes in and gets muddy you can always let them clean up in the stream which follows alongside.

A nice walk would be to go from the Inn to Chalford and return in time for lunch at the pub! It's a VERY country pub, but they do a great steak bap! (If you say you are returning for lunch the owner may let you park in the pub car park while you walk.)

It's not exactly *open land* (did you mean tree-less? :D) but it's free from cows, sheep and horses and crops! Your dog can be off lead.

Another place to walk near Stroud is Haresfield Beacon. There is a topograph here and on a clear day the views are stunning. (You can see the severn crossings.) Next to the beacon is Standish woods that belong to the National Trust. You can do a good long cricular walk through the woods and back that takes me 1 1/2 hours walking fast.

Towns to visit? Loads! :D

Winchcombe (Sudely Castle)
Stanway
Broadway
Bourton-on-the-water
Upper and Lower Slaughter
Moreton in the Marsh (Cotswold Falconry Centre)
Cotswold Farm Park and rare breeds centre (near Temple Guiting and Guiting Power, just east of Winchcombe)

These towns are very touristy, but very pretty.

I hope this helps a little.

~~ a Stroudie :)

http://www.visit-glos.org.uk/

( edited to add url )

You need to visit Woodchester Park, Cirencester Park, Berkeley Deer Park, etc.  Not parks with swings but beautiful old country parks.

I also agree with Haresfield Beacon, I would agree with 1.5hrs brisk walking for that one, but would add Nibley Monument, Stinchcombe Hill, Berkeley Castle, Uley, Owlpen, Tetbury and many many more.  Cirencester, Nailsworth, Malmesbury.

Can you tell I live there?  Now if you want recommendations for pubs ..... how long are you going for?  Why don't you register and we can continue this at length I am sure.

Whereabouts in Stroud are you Walkhound?

:D that'd be telling ;) e mail me. walkhound@hotmail.com

Be very aware when walking in the Forest of Dean that in many parts of it sheep roam freely. There are also a lot of deer around as well.