Autumn with your four-legged friend: a dog-friendly break in Wiltshire at The Wheatsheaf

Fancy a dog-friendly break in Wiltshire this autumn? With countryside walks right from the door, dog-friendly bedrooms and a cosy country pub to come back to...

The Wheatsheaf in Chilton Foliat has everything you and your four-legged friend need for a proper rural escape.

There’s something rather lovely about an autumn getaway… especially when your four-pawed BFF is coming too.

Those dreamy crisp morning walks, golden leaves, muddy paws, a cosy pub and somewhere comfy to curl up at the end of the day… trust us, this is prime walking territory.

Walk, explore, eat, repeat: dog walks from the door in Chilton Foliat

Chilton Foliat is a little gem of a village, sitting beside a wide stretch of the River Kennet and lined with pretty period properties. With its thatched roof, flower-filled planters and picture-perfect setting, The Wheatsheaf looks like it’s been lifted straight off a countryside postcard.

Step outside and you’re straight into the countryside, with fields, riverside paths and quiet country lanes just waiting to be explored, nose first.

For dogs who like a proper adventure, there’s plenty of scope to head further out across the Kennet Valley, and we’ve rounded up a few of our favourite dog walks below.

After all that running, sniffing and splashing about, The Wheatsheaf is exactly where you’ll want to end up.

A dog-friendly pub with rooms where dogs are genuinely welcome

The Wheatsheaf has been welcoming guests since 1787 and, following an extensive refurbishment, it’s kept all of its historic charm while adding a relaxed, contemporary feel.

Dogs are welcome, so it’s an easy choice whether you’re after a lunch stop mid-walk, a drink in the afternoon or a long, lazy evening. It’s no surprise it features in our round-up of dog-friendly pubs in Wiltshire.

While your hound flops down after the day’s adventures, you can tuck into seasonal British food in the cosy bar which is dog-friendly.

A word to the wise: Sunday roasts are a very big deal here, and the perfect reward after a weekend walk.

Fancy making a night of it? The Wheatsheaf has seven newly renovated bedrooms, and two of them are dog friendly, so your best friend can come along for the whole trip.

Your dog-friendly autumn itinerary

One of the best things about staying at The Wheatsheaf is that you don’t have to go far to find gorgeous countryside, interesting places to poke around and dog-friendly stops along the way. Here’s how we’d spend the weekend.

Day one: dog-friendly Hungerford… 

Kick things off with a gentle morning walk from the pub to Hungerford, a roughly two-mile ramble through fields and across the River Kennet, just over the border in West Berkshire.

Once you arrive, take your time wandering the pretty high street and its independent shops. Don’t miss Hungerford Arcade Antiques & Collectables, voted the UK’s Best Antiques Centre by BBC Homes & Antiques readers. Well-behaved dogs are welcome throughout its 100-plus dealers, and might even get a treat at the main desk.

For lunch, Tray’s Cafe at Barrs Yard is a dog-friendly artisan café with a changing menu, home-baked goodies and a warm welcome for four-legged visitors. It’s the perfect place to refuel, and there may well be cake involved for the humans.

Still got energy to burn? Hungerford sits within the North Wessex Downs, so the Kennet and Avon Canal and Hungerford Common are right on the doorstep for another leg-stretch (more on those below).

And if you’ve got the car and fancy venturing a little further afield, there are two lovely options.

Marlborough is a real treat, with its wonderfully wide historic High Street, timber-framed buildings, independent shops and traditional cafés. It’s a quintessential English market town and just the place for a leisurely mooch.
Or head to Pewsey, a quieter village tucked into the beautiful Vale of Pewsey. Take a wander by the Kennet & Avon Canal and look out for the Pewsey White Horse carved into the hillside.

Don’t feel you have to squeeze it all in, though. After a busy morning, your dog may well have other plans (mostly involving a nap). When you’re both ready, head back to The Wheatsheaf for dinner and a well-earned rest.

Day two: dog walks in the North Wessex Downs

If your dog is the sort who never seems to run out of steam, make day two a bit more adventurous and head into the North Wessex Downs, one of the most beautiful walking areas in the region.

There are hundreds of miles of footpaths and bridleways across the National Landscape, from gentle strolls to longer countryside hikes, so there’s something for every pace (and every size of paw).

Our pick is the five-mile Ramsbury and Littlecote circular walk. Starting in the pretty village of Ramsbury, the route winds through countryside and wooded valleys towards Littlecote House, past the remains of a Roman villa and back alongside the River Kennet.

It can get muddy and there are a few hills, so it’s one for dogs (and owners) who fancy a proper walk. The good news? There are no stiles to wrestle with, and Ramsbury has a couple of pubs waiting at the finish.
Littlecote Roman Villa makes a brilliant stop along the way, and it’s just 1.8 miles from The Wheatsheaf if you’d rather keep things local. The open-air site sits right beside the River Kennet and is home to the remarkable restored Orpheus mosaic, which dates back to the fourth century. Best of all for this itinerary, dogs are welcome to explore it with you.

Fancy a shorter dog walk? Try Hungerford Common

If five miles sounds a bit much, the Hungerford Common and Canal walk is a great alternative. There are two loops of around 1.75 and 2.25 miles, or you can combine them for roughly four miles.

With open common, canal towpath and plenty of wildlife, it’s a lovely way to stretch four legs without committing to a full day’s hike. Just keep the lead handy, as livestock are often grazing on the common.

Got another day? Take your dog to Avebury

Staying a little longer? Avebury is well worth the trip.

Home to the world’s largest prehistoric stone circle and acres of National Trust countryside, it’s a fascinating place to explore with your dog. Dogs are welcome on a lead across most of the site (just not inside Avebury Manor or the café), and sheep often graze among the stones, so let them enjoy the view from your side.

So whether you spend your weekend following the River Kennet, exploring the North Wessex Downs, pottering around Hungerford or venturing deeper into Wiltshire, there’s no shortage of places for you and your dog to discover. Looking for more ideas? Take a look at our guide to dog-friendly holidays in the UK or our favourite country pubs in Wiltshire.

To book, call 01488 680936, email [email protected] or visit www.thewheatsheafchiltonfoliat.co.uk. For more ideas nearby, see the pub’s On Our Doorstep guide.