Can I bring my dog with me when visiting Oxford?
Yes, you can! With over 36% of households owning a dog in the UK according to a recent survey, it’s not surprising that we get asked this question a lot. And we get it! As a team of animal lovers ourselves, we know that a good day out isn’t the same without our four-legged friends, so if you’re looking to include the pooch, we’ve put together some great ideas for days out, helped in part by our tester-in-chief, Archie.
Best of all, the venues listed below are all accessible by bus, making it easy to hop around the city or beyond with or without our four-legged friends in tow.
Meet Archie, our dog tester-in-chief.
Dog-friendly bus tours around Oxford
Ready to fetch some sights!
Did you know that City Sightseeing Oxford is dog-friendly? Whether you’re new to the area, visiting family and friends, or hosting some out-of-town guests, our City Sightseeing open-top bus tour is an ideal way to explore Oxford’s rich heritage while including your furry companion.
With 18 stops along the route, it’s easy to hop off whenever your pup needs to stretch their legs. Two of our favourite dog-friendly green spaces include University Parks and Christ Church Meadow. That said, your dog might also enjoy the view from the top deck just as much as Archie did. In fact, he enjoyed it so much that he probably would have stayed there all day!
Bus tours include a 60-minute walking tour through Oxford, which also ticks the dog-friendly box.
Stretch those paws: University Parks to Marston loop, Christchurch Meadow Circular, Port Meadow Circular.
Bus information: You can plan your journey to the City Sightseeing Visitor Information Point by using the online Journey Planner available here. Simply insert your current location into the planner, and your most suitable bus journey will be calculated for you.
Dog-friendly water adventures
Captain Archie Paws reporting for duty.
Punting on The Cherwell
Punting season officially kicks off in April, and if it’s on your to-do list, there’s some good news for dog lovers. Cherwell Boathouse warmly welcomes pups of all shapes and sizes on their punts, so you don’t need to leave your furry friend at home. While there are no formal rules for canine conduct on the water, if you have a particularly bouncy and energetic pup, you might want to take them to nearby University Parks to burn off some energy.
For light bites, the Cherwell Boathouse offers a convenient one-stop snack shack, with water bowls available for dogs. Or you could float northwards (if that’s possible) to The Victoria Arms for some liquid refreshment and a hearty pub meal. Dogs are welcome there too although they must stay on a lead. Or if picnics float your boat then you could head downstream, moor at University Parks and eat al fresco.
Stretch those paws: Marston Hamm (near the Victoria Arms), University Parks loop, Port Meadow Circular.
Bus information: If you’re taking a City Sightseeing Oxford tour, you could walk directly from Stop 11 on South Parks Road. You can plan your journey to Cherwell Boathouse by using the online Journey Planner available here. Simply insert your current location into the planner, and your most suitable bus journey will be calculated for you.
Boating on The Thames
For another tail-wagging adventure on the river, you could sniff your way to Salters Steamers and embark on a 40-minute round boat trip from Folly Bridge to Iffley Lock. As long as the captain approves and your dog is on a lead, then you’re all set for an enjoyable journey with the pooch, passing Oxford University views and boat houses on your way to the lock.
The Salters boat hire pontoon is conveniently located outside the Head of the River pub, where dogs are welcomed and water bowls are plentiful.
Why not combine your tickets with a City Sightseeing Oxford tour? Our Super Saver Combo Tickets mean that you can get both a bus tour and a boat tour with one easy purchase and at a price that is sure to keep tails wagging!
Or for a decent coffee and a slice of homemade cake, The Paper Boat Café, over the road and based at the former tollhouse, has a lovely terrace overlooking the river and the Thames path, and they do love their four-legged visitors; they even have an Instagram account dedicated to them.
Stretch those paws: Christchurch Meadow Circular, River Thames towpath from Folly Bridge, Grandpont Nature Park, Hinksey Park.
Bus information: The nearest City Sightseeing stop is Stop 9, The Queen’s College. You can also plan your journey to Salters Steamers by using the online Journey Planner available here. Simply insert your current location into the planner, and your most suitable bus journey will be calculated for you.
Dog-friendly attractions
Taking my human to landmarks, one sniff at a time.
Cholsey and Wallingford Railway
If your four-legged friend loves his choo-choos as much as his chew-chews, then you could head down to Cholsey and Wallingford’s railway and board one of their 1950s diesel locomotives. The round trip takes around 45 mins from the historic market town of Wallingford to Cholsey, and dogs are welcome onboard (although not on the seats or in any dining areas). Thirsty? Cholsey’s Red Lion pub is a barkingly great option, with dogs welcome in the bar area, beer garden and terrace.
Stretch those paws: Cholsey Pavilion dog park or, if you have a longer, you could try this 50-minute short circular by All Trails.
Bus information: You can plan your journey to Cholsey and Wallingford Railway by using the online Journey Planner available here. Simply insert your current location into the planner, and your most suitable bus journey will be calculated for you.
Didcot Railway Centre
Speaking of trains, Didcot Railway Centre also allows well-behaved dogs (kept on a lead) on its steam trains all year round. In fact, they’re welcome anywhere but in the refreshments area, although there is an outside picnic spot that can be used. Plus, if you’ve got kids in tow, there’s a few dates worth popping in your diary: on 14th June and 16th August, Paddington Bear will be meeting and greeting his fans throughout the day; then on 5th and 6th July, there’s a hands-on family event for young engineers; and on 27th, 30th and 31st August, there’s a live The Railway Children return for an immersive, theatrical experience based on E. Nesbit’s beloved much-loved tale.
Stretch those paws: The Ladygrove Loop
Bus information: The nearest stop is at Didcot Parkway, which is served by several bus services. You can plan your journey to Didcot Railway Centre by using the online Journey Planner available here. Simply insert your current location into the planner, and your most suitable bus journey will be calculated for you.
North Hinksey Conduit House
Oxford is rife with historical landmarks, and among these is the relatively unknown North Hinksey Conduit House. Perched on a hillside overlooking the dreaming spires, it offers something of an escape from the busy city below. This, combined with plentiful nearby countryside walks, makes it a great spot to take the dog. The 17th-century North Hinksey Conduit House provided Oxford’s first piped water supply, taking clean drinking water from the springs at North Hinksey to the Carfax Conduit, an elaborate fountain in the centre of the city, making it a fascinating piece of Oxford’s history. The exterior of the site is open 10:00-16:00, Thursday to Sunday but there are also special drop-in events if you’d like to view the interior.
It’s not the sort of landmark you’ll spend hours at, but we think it’s worth soaking in the views and coupling the visit with a walk to Hinksey Heights Nature Reserve, accessible via Vernon Avenue, or the top of Harcourt Hill. Thirsty? The nearby Hinksey Heights golf club café The 19th Hole welcomes four-legged friends, enjoys hillside views of the city and serves up a great brew.
Stretch those paws: Hinksey Heights Nature Trail, Raleigh Park, Chilswell Valley
Bus information: You can plan your journey to North Hinksey Conduit House by using the online Journey Planner available here. Simply insert your current location into the planner, and your most suitable bus journey will be calculated for you.
Dog-friendly spa days
If your doggy loves to look their best, then the Dog’s Spot in Abingdon is only a stick’s throw away from the nearest bus stop. This all-in-one doggie day spa features a grooming parlour and a community cafe selling everything from pupcakes to puppucinos. There’s also an onsite wash and blow-dry service and a boutique selling a range of accessories for fashionable pooches who like to indulge in impulse purchases.
On Sundays, the Dog’s Spot hosts “Chatty Walk” events, weekly walks beginning at The Dog’s Spot, followed by a stroll through Abbey Meadows and by the river. The best part is that no dog is required to take part—everyone is welcome to participate.
Stretch those paws: Abbey Gardens and Meadows, Thames Path to Culham Lock.
Bus information: The nearest stop is Stratton Way for buses passing through Abingdon, and High Street for all buses terminating there. You can plan your journey to the Dog’s Spot by using the online Journey Planner available here. Simply insert your current location into the planner, and your most suitable bus journey will be calculated for you.
Dog-friendly dining
Contemplating the next sausage heist.
The Handlebar Cafe
The Handlebar Café is a cosy little brunch and lunch spot in the heart of Oxford, sitting just above a bike shop, and you can tell that the owners love dogs. There isn’t a formal doggy menu as such, but Archie was spoiled rotten and was served a plate of sausages. It’s also not too far from Port Meadow, a lovely open meadow with an idyllic riverside setting, frequented by walkers, cyclists, and dog walkers, and plenty of space for all.
Stretch those paws: Port Meadow Circular, Burgess Field Nature Park.
Bus information: The nearest stop is Magdalen Street East or the High Street , both of which are served by several Oxford Bus Company services. You can plan your journey to The Handlebar Cafe by using the online Journey Planner available here. Simply insert your current location into the planner, and your most suitable bus journey will be calculated for you.
Courtside, Bury Knowle Park
Nestled in the heart of Headington’s Bury Knowle Park, Courtside Café is a welcoming haven for both people and their furry companions. They go the extra mile to cater for canines with a dedicated dog menu. The water station and a lead bar outside the café enabling you to tether your dog is a thoughtful touch. The large open green field (complete with sensory garden) is perfect for burning up energy either before or afterward
Stretch those paws: Headington Hill Park, Shotover Country Park, CS Lewis Nature Reserve
Bus information: The nearest stop to Bury Knowle Park is at Headington Shops. You can plan your journey to Bury Knowle Park by using the online Journey Planner available here. Simply insert your current location into the planner, and your most suitable bus journey will be calculated for you.
The Wandering Kitchen, Berinsfield
Follow your nose to The Wandering Kitchen, and you might be forgiven for thinking there are more animals than people. Just a 10-minute walk from the Dorchester bypass bus stop, this foodie spot offers a charming setting to enjoy brunch, lunch, or coffee with picturesque lakeside views. It attracts a broad audience, from dog walkers who typically combine a hearty meal, or coffee and cake, with a stroll around Queensford Lake—a great place for a post-walk lunch. There’s even a children’s trail around the lake called Wanda’s Quest, ideal if you want to make it a family outing.
No dog but want to bring your bunny on a lead? No problem! The team at The Wandering Kitchen has welcomed cats, rabbits, and parrots in the past.
Stretch those paws: Queensford Lake
Bus information: The nearest stop to the Wandering Kitchen is the Dorchester Bypass. You can plan your journey to The Wandering Kitchen by using the online Journey Planner available here. Simply insert your current location into the planner, and your most suitable bus journey will be calculated for you.
A Guide to Pup Etiquette
No muddy paws on seats, Archie always practises proper bus etiquette!
When travelling with your dog, please take note of the following:
• Please make sure your dog is well-behaved and doesn’t cause a nuisance or danger to other passengers.
• Please check with the driver if you are travelling with more than two dogs.
• Dogs are more than welcome to sit on the floor or laps, but we request that they do not sit directly on the seats.
• If there are dogs already travelling, you may be asked to wait for the next bus.
• Click here to read our dog-friendly travel policy in full.
