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The Shooting Lodge at Mount Pleasant Barns

A romantic dog friendly retreat on the edge of The Cotswolds

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Walton, Warwickshire, CV35 9HT

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There's a moment - somewhere between arriving at The Shooting Lodge, opening the doors and watching your dog trot out into the enclosed garden - when the weekend officially begins. This beautifully converted barn sits on a private Warwickshire estate on the edge of the Cotswolds, with a wood-fired hot tub and the kind of peace that only comes from being genuinely tucked away. It's a place built for two (plus up to two four-legged friends), where long countryside walks end with a soak under the stars.

For dogs...

The enclosed garden is fully fenced and wired, so even the smallest dog can’t escape – the wiring is designed to blend in aesthetically, so don’t be fooled by the photos.

Up to two dogs are welcome at £30 per dog per stay, and with a single-level layout throughout, there are no stairs for older dogs or those with mobility issues to navigate.

Dog bowls, furniture throws, treats and a loan lead are all provided, and a warm water dog wash station means muddy paws after a walk through the Warwickshire countryside are sorted before anyone sets foot back inside.

For humans...

The wood-fired hot tub sits in the private garden with views over open countryside – light it up after a day of walking and soak under the stars.

A traditional iron slipper bath, exposed timber beams and boutique interiors give The Shooting Lodge a quiet luxury that feels worlds away from a standard holiday let.

Walton Hall Hotel and Spa is a five-minute walk across the estate, and Shooting Lodge guests get exclusive discounts on the pool, sauna, steam room and gym – all the perks of a hotel, with the freedom of self-catering.

  • BBQ
  • Children Welcome
  • Dog Bowls
  • Dog Treats
  • Hot Tub
  • Multiple Dogs Allowed
  • Parking
  • Rural Walks

Good to know

Overview

The Shooting Lodge is a single-storey barn conversion on the Mount Pleasant Barns estate, a private working farm in the Warwickshire countryside near Walton. Inside, the open-plan living space has a character all of its own – feature walls, a snuggly velvet sofa, exposed timber beams and an original barn-end wall with floor to ceiling windows that lets the light pour in. The kitchen is well-equipped for self-catering, the king bedroom has an indulgent feel with sheepskin rugs and crisp linens, and the traditional iron slipper bath is the kind of detail that turns a good stay into a memorable one.

Outside is where The Shooting Lodge really comes alive. The enclosed garden means dogs can roam freely while you fire up the wood-burning hot tub or settle around the fire pit with marshmallows. There’s a private patio for morning coffee with countryside views, and bicycles available to explore the surrounding lanes. Julia’s own dogs – a German Shorthaired Pointer, a Vizsla and a Weimaraner – are often around the estate, and it’s clear from the moment you arrive that dogs aren’t just tolerated here, they’re part of the fabric of the place.

With Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick Castle and the Cotswolds all on the doorstep, you won’t be short of things to do. But the best evenings here are the simple ones – hot tub, fire pit, a glass of something, and a tired dog stretched out on the sofa beside you.

Perfect for: Slowing right down with nothing but countryside, a hot tub, and a very happy dog.

For The Dogs

Up to two dogs are welcome at The Shooting Lodge, charged at £30 per dog per stay (not per night). The enclosed garden is fully fenced and wired – even the smallest dog can’t escape, though the photos don’t always show the wiring as it’s designed to blend in. The entire lodge is on one level with no stairs.

Dog bowls, furniture throws, treats and a loan lead are provided, though you will need to bring your own dog bed. A warm water dog wash station is available on the estate for post-walk clean-ups.

Julia’s own dogs – Dixie and Lottie (two German Shorthaired Pointers) and Dirty Bertie the Sealyham Terrier – live on the estate and are a real guest favourite.

Price

From £282 per night. Dogs are charged at £30 per dog per stay. For current prices and availability, please visit the Mount Pleasant Barns website.

Practicalities

Check-in: 4pm. Check-out: 10am.

Early check-in and late check-out available subject to availability.

Free parking on site.

Availability

Available | Unavailable

The Area

The Shooting Lodge sits in what might be the most convenient spot in the Midlands for a dog-friendly break.

Walton Hall is just a five-minute walk from the barn, with a lake and beautiful grounds that make it a hidden gem for dog walking – and there’s a large grassed area right in front of the barn for playing with dogs before you even set off. Charlecote Park, a National Trust estate with 120 acres of Capability Brown parkland, designated dog walks and a dog-friendly cafe, is just three miles down the road – and it’s the kind of walk that makes the whole trip worthwhile, with fallow deer grazing in the distance and ancient oaks lining the paths. The Stratford Greenway offers eight kilometres of surfaced trail along a dismantled railway line, ideal for dogs who prefer a flat, easy route, while Oversley Woods near Alcester has 230 acres of woodland where dogs can run off-lead.

Julia provides an extensive list of dog-friendly pubs, cafes and restaurants in the area – highlights include The Bell at Alderminster, which even does Doggy Sunday Roast Dinners, and The Kings Head in Wellesbourne (about two miles) for a post-walk pint. Stratford-upon-Avon itself is fifteen minutes by car, and Espresso Barn is nearby for a dog-friendly coffee stop.

Warwick Castle, the Cotswolds and Birmingham are all within easy reach too – this is genuine golden triangle territory.

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