Dougal's Dog Blog. Entry 23: Cirencester Park, Gloucestershire

Dougal
Dougal Forum Participant Posts: 60
edited October 2012 in Your stories #1

Move over Alderstead Heath, I have a new favourite site! And the Human That I Own rates it as his new Number One as well, so it's got to be good.

Cirencester Park, where do I start?

Well, the doggy field is as good a place as any. And you read that right, it's a 'field' and not some small afterthought squeezed in at the side of the site. It's plenty big enough for endless games of ball and a quick catch up with the other canines staying on site.

But that's not all.

Slap Bang Wallop next to the site is Cirencester Park, the lovely green space that gives the site its name. It's open from 8am till 5pm, and is a super mix of formal path on short grass, and informal paths through woodland. It's very slightly odd as it is so L-O-N-G and narrow, but it means that there are plenty of walkies opportunities.

But that's not all.

Walk through the park, about 20 minutes stroll from the site, and you reach the beautiful town of Cirencester. We both really, really, REALLY like Cirencester.

We found not one but TWO pubs that made this little doggy feel very welcome. One was called the Golden Cross. Lovely friendly bar maids, good quality food (albeit slightly spendy), a modern yet cosy feel to it, and a lovely snug with a roaring fire. It's the kind of place that is smart enough for a proper evening meal, yet informal enough to allow well-behaved dogs.  

The other dog friendly pub, just down the road from the Golden Cross, is called The Crown. Good food, good beer, and another open fire. Very slightly less formal (smart) than the Golden Cross.

As if all THAT isn't good enough, we spotted many cafes in the town that proudly displayed 'dogs welcome' in their windows. One of our favourites was the Swan Yard Cafe, just behind The Crown pub. We spied another dog-friendly cafe that backed onto the church (or is it a cathedral?) as well a sign welcoming dogs in a certain Seattle-based coffee chain cafe.

For the Humans who like a bit of retail, Cirencester is cram packed full of independent little shops selling all kinds of things.

For once in our lives, the Human That I Own and I both agree that we have yet to find a site to top Cirencester Park. Given the good doggy facilities, the expansive park next door, and the superb choice of quality dog-friendly eating and drinking establishments within walking distance, this site comes with a gold-plated 5 bones out of 5 rating. At the moment (October), the Autumn colours here are breathtaking. I cannot think of a better place for winter break to lift the off-season blues. See you there, canine pals!

Comments

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2012 #2

    Another excellent review from Dougal at PAWSPRINT INTERNATIONAL!Laughing

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2012 #3

    I should add that I thought this was a very good write up about Cirencester, which is a lovely town to visit, so thanks Dougal, I think the Brues will give the site a go in future!

  • BarneyChallenger
    BarneyChallenger Forum Participant Posts: 6
    edited October 2012 #4

    We are booked into Cirencester for Christmas, so hopefully we will enjoy it as much as you....keep up the blogs
    Happy

  • Skye2010
    Skye2010 Forum Participant Posts: 18
    edited December 2012 #5

    Happy New Year from Skye & Iona and big wuffs for another site to add to our list.  Our humans whom we own have visited there without us before Sad so a trip there to make up for things is in order we think!  Dougal, Have you ever been to Ramslade CCS near Paignton please?  We are looking forward to our summer 2013 vacation trip there.  Looking forward to your blogs in 2013 - thank you, Skye & Iona.

  • jah
    jah Forum Participant Posts: 1
    edited December 2012 #6

    yes its me

  • RedditchJay
    RedditchJay Forum Participant Posts: 1
    edited December 2012 #7

    excellent review as we have just booked this site for Easter with our new Cocker Spaniel puppy

  • Lockie98
    Lockie98 Forum Participant Posts: 1
    edited January 2013 #8

    my self and wife to be and our 5 year old stayed at this site for christmas it is a great site and we will be staying there again for a nice weekend away

  • gedleigh
    gedleigh Forum Participant Posts: 1
    edited January 2013 #9

    Sounds great, love hearing of places that are dog friendly, and cafes are a new one.  We'll certainly be giving it a try Laughing

  • Mongo
    Mongo Forum Participant Posts: 3
    edited January 2013 #10

    Hello Dougal thanks again for an excellent report, I'm always interested in a site for a good game of ball (my favourite) thanks Skye (alsatian).

  • Goldmaz
    Goldmaz Forum Participant Posts: 1
    edited January 2013 #11

    We were at this site last year,and we enjoyed everything about it,great field for a game of ball.Thanks Ella &Tilly.(cocker spaniels ).

  • frankie2
    frankie2 Forum Participant Posts: 1
    edited January 2013 #12

    looks like the park is going to be full of smelly  barking dogs so i will give this one a miss  .    Is thier any no dogs allowed sites

  • Old Snowdrop
    Old Snowdrop Forum Participant Posts: 9
    edited January 2013 #13

    Hi I am Bobby, a Shia Tzu, I was at Cirencester Park at the end of October 2012 for What my umans call Haloween. It was Raining so I could not go round with my umans, although they did decorate my carakennel with lots of ghosty bits.  I thought it was a
    great site and I did enjoy out doggy field as well. we went to Bourton On the Water and I saw lots of ducks. and saw lots of nice shops, although not many were doggy friendly. But it stopped raining while we were there and my umans and me had fish and chips outside.
    Looking forward to going away in my carakennel again soon 

  • Old Snowdrop
    Old Snowdrop Forum Participant Posts: 9
    edited January 2013 #14

    Frankie 2 all of the CC sites are dog friendly, so to avoid mixing with our hairy friends you will need to go wild camping in the middle of Bodmin Moor

  • RKJ52
    RKJ52 Forum Participant Posts: 130
    First Comment
    edited January 2013 #15

    Happy New Year from Skye & Iona and big wuffs for another site to add to our list.  Our humans whom we own have visited there without us before
    Sad so a trip there to make up for things is in order we think!  Dougal, Have you ever been to Ramslade CCS near Paignton please?  We are looking
    forward to our summer 2013 vacation trip there.  Looking forward to your blogs in 2013 - thank you, Skye & Iona.

    Write your comments here...Hi Skye 2010, bit late responding to you ,but Ramslade (Paignton) is excellent for dogs. They have a very large field that is totally secure and the dogs can just run and run. If you want to get out, Dartmoor is only just up the
    road, and there are dog friendly beaches close by if you want see www.thegooddogguide.com  Hope you have a good holiday

  • Downsizer
    Downsizer Forum Participant Posts: 2
    edited January 2013 #16

    Caution - there are large parts of Cirencester Park where dogs are NOT allowed.

  • MaxAbz
    MaxAbz Forum Participant Posts: 4
    edited January 2013 #17

    Laughing Dougal - Loving your blogs, they are amusing, interesting yet informative!  Keep up the good work, and get that human of yours
    to reward you for you excellent work!   Its really good to get more detailed info for dogs before booking a site.  As a doq owned human myself, my little furbaby has to be considered before I can go anywhere, so take note the CC!!  ..... as soo many members
    have dogs, more info for this would be most welcome....meanwile 

    High Five Four Paws!  Im a big fan! Happy

  • mandyh01
    mandyh01 Forum Participant Posts: 5
    edited February 2013 #18

    Thank you for the blog Dougal

    . Information for doggy friendly  beaches near the sites would be useful!!

    Emma.

    Winking  

  • Happy People 2
    Happy People 2 Forum Participant Posts: 1
    edited February 2013 #19

    hi we are very new to caraving it sounds so good we also have a dog who loves to make new pals ,what is it like for children x

  • Mark642
    Mark642 Forum Participant Posts: 1
    edited February 2013 #20

    Loving the reviews Dougal - hope to see you on your travels sometime.  Artie

  • alou
    alou Forum Participant Posts: 3
    edited May 2013 #21

    Love your blogs Dougal. When's the next episode?