Kayaking with a dog: An active Cotswold Lakes weekend once the kids have left home

When the last child leaves home, weekends change shape. There are no lifts to give, no matches to stand and watch, and nobody asking what’s for tea. For many couples, the dog’s walks fill the gap, along with a nagging feeling that the free time ought to be used for something a little more adventurous. A weekend on the water is a lovely way to do that, and it doesn’t take a roof rack or a garage full of kit.

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Here’s how to plan a relaxed, dog-friendly weekend at the Cotswold Lakes with a packable kayak – from where you can launch your own boat to what kayaking with a dog really involves, plus the walks and the pub for afterwards.

Why the Cotswold Lakes work for a weekend

Most of us still call it the Cotswold Water Park, but the area is now officially known as the Cotswold Lakes. It straddles the Gloucestershire and Wiltshire border south of Cirencester and covers around 42 square miles, with more than 180 lakes created by a century of sand and gravel extraction. Add more than 100km of public rights of way and you have walking, wildlife and water all in one area.

All that water doesn’t mean you can paddle anywhere you like, though. Many of the lakes are nature reserves or fishing waters, so the easiest approach is to book a session at a centre that welcomes your own craft rather than setting off from the nearest bank.

Where to launch your own kayak at the Cotswold Water Park

Lake 32 Outdoor Centre at Shorncote is a straightforward place to start. At the time of writing, its pay-as-you-go own-craft launch costs from £10 for a two-hour slot, and kayaks, canoes and paddleboards are all welcome. Inflatable kayaks are inspected by a member of the team before launching. Every person and craft needs a booking, which can be made up to seven days ahead,
and everyone on the water must wear a suitable buoyancy aid. If you’ve forgotten one, buoyancy aids can be hired on arrival for £5 each (card only), subject to availability.

The centre is open seven days a week for most of the year, from 8am to 4pm between October and March, with longer weekday hours in summer and a reduced service over Christmas. Parking on the main site is limited, so you may be directed to a grass field at busy times.

The Cotswold Lakes Trust also runs Wild Leisure sessions at Waterhay Lake, in the Cleveland Lakes Nature Reserve near Ashton Keynes. At the time of writing, you can bring your own paddling equipment for £12.50 per person, booked with the Trust by email. Paddling is only available during its open water swim sessions, which run on set days that change through the year, so check the current times, and that your kayak is accepted, when you book. Dogs aren’t currently permitted on that part of the site because of wildlife sensitivities, so save it for a day when the dog stays at home.

Choosing and packing an inflatable kayak

A packable kayak is what makes this kind of weekend easy. Once deflated, an inflatable kayak rolls up into a carry bag that fits in many cars, so you can do without roof bars, a trailer or a big storage space at home. Packed size and weight vary between models, so measure your boot before you buy and think about who will carry the bag from the car park to the water!

When you compare packable inflatable kayaks, look for heavy-duty materials, welded seams and high-pressure drop-stitch construction, which gives a stiff hull. A wider hull usually feels more stable, which helps if you’re new to paddling or have a dog on board, and a two-person model makes sense if you’d both like to be on the water together. If you’d like an independent view before you buy, Vildmark’s Razor Kayaks review of a touring model goes into detail on how one handles on the water.

Before you buy, check where the manufacturer says the boat is designed to be used, and paddle within those limits.

Keep the pump, paddles, buoyancy aids and a towel in one bag so nothing gets left behind, and let the kayak dry before it’s packed away for any length of time.

How to go kayaking with your dog

Plenty of dogs love a day by the lake, but taking one paddling needs a little preparation. Paddle UK’s Go Paddling website suggests getting your dog used to swimming before you try paddling together, so you both start out with some confidence. Whatever their swimming ability, give them a properly fitted dog buoyancy aid with a sturdy handle on the back. If they slip in, that handle is what lets you lift them back aboard. Pack drinking water, a small first aid kit and plenty of poo bags, and cover any kit that sharp claws could damage. It’s also polite to check that anyone paddling with you is happy to have a dog along.

These tips come from Darren Joy, a Paddle UK coach who has paddled with his cocker spaniel for years, and he has a few more. A dry bag can double as a bed for the dog, particularly on a paddleboard, and a bag of treats and a floating ball make the day more fun for both of you. He also suggests planning trips around dog-friendly pubs or picnic spots where your dog can have a run, which is exactly what the weekend plan below does.

Is the Cotswold Water Park dog friendly?

On the footpaths, yes: dogs are allowed on all public footpaths and bridleways across the Cotswold Lakes, but should be kept on a lead, which also puts a stop to any enthusiastic duck chasing. On the water, rules vary from site to site. Lake 32 welcomes dogs on a lead, and dogs can join you in its swim course if they wear a buoyancy aid and are attached to you by a long floating lead.

Its FAQ doesn’t cover dogs on kayaks or boards, so ask when you book, and remember that dogs aren’t currently allowed at the Trust’s Wild Leisure site at Waterhay Lake. The Cotswold Lakes website also points out that dogs swimming in the lakes disturb wildlife
whatever the season, so keep their dips to places where they’re welcome.

Dress for the water, not the weather

If you’re planning an autumn or winter weekend, dress for the water rather than the weather. Paddle UK classes any water below 15°C as cold water, low enough to trigger cold water shock, so wear your buoyancy aid, carry a phone in a waterproof case and pack a full change of clothes. If you do fall in, the advice is to float to live; until your breathing settles, then call for help. Lake 32 shows the current water temperature on its website, on a board by the swim entry point and above the café counter. Daylight is short in autumn and winter, too, so plan to be off the water well before dusk.

A relaxed dog-friendly weekend plan

On Saturday, give the dog a good walk first thing, then head to your booked paddling slot. Two hours on the water is plenty for a first outing. Lake 32 asks you to arrive no more than 15 minutes before your slot, so practise inflating the kayak at home first and allow time to dry it off afterwards.

Round the day off at a dog-friendly pub: The Baker’s Arms in Somerford Keynes says on its website that four-legged friends are always welcome, and it’s worth booking a table.

On Sunday, swap the paddle for a walk. Around 23 miles of the River Thames flows through the Cotswold Lakes, with riverside paths along much of it, and the circular walks on the Cotswold Lakes website range from 2km to 18km. For something short, two 3km walks along the Thames Path start from Riverside Park in Lechlade. The Cotswold Lakes Trust notes that some routes can flood in winter, so pack the wellies.

You can pick up a free Leisure Map showing footpaths, cycle paths and bridleways from the Cotswold Lakes Visitor Centre on Spine Road, South Cerney, which is open from 10am to 3pm at weekends (and daily in school holidays) from March into the
autumn, or from the Visitor Information Point at Ashton Keynes Community Shop.

Do you need a licence to kayak on the Thames?

If you’re tempted onto the Thames with the kayak, check the rules first. From Cricklade Bridge downstream, the Environment Agency requires boats on the river to be registered, and that includes kayaks, canoes and paddleboards. More generally, Paddle UK says you need a waterways licence to paddle on many managed rivers and canals in England and Wales, and you could be fined up to £1,000 without one.

Its On the Water membership covers this stretch of the Thames, along with waterways managed by the Canal & River Trust and others. The old Thames & Severn Canal beside the lakes is disused, so its towpath is one for dog walks rather than paddling.

Before you go

Book your launch slot, check the latest prices, times and rules with the centre, and pack the dog’s buoyancy aid alongside your own. After that, the only real decision left is whether the pub comes before or after the walk!