Stop over around Cheltenham / Gloucester on M5

[katmunchkin]

Hi all. PIL are driving from the East Midlands to Cornish South Coast in a fortnight (a Saturday morning) with the dog, and are looking for a stop over around Cheltenham or Gloucester on the M5 for a short walk to stretch the legs and walk the dog and a coffee for an hour or so. Looking for somewhere a couple of miles from M5, where the dog can be off the lead for a run round. Any ideas? Thanks in advance xx

[evilkitten]

Gloucester services? They're very nice.

[Willowfrost]

Yes def Gloucester services 😀

[Hughpughbarneymagrew]

Agree the Gloucester services. They are independently run and quite naice

[katmunchkin]

They were thinking something more like a dog-friendly country park (even if dog can't be off the lead) but I'm sure Gloucester services are very nice!

[TheHobbitMum]

I second Gloucester services, fab place! I go for the butchers etc and I live 30mins away. Its independent and not at all like the usual welcome breaks etc

[AalyaSecura]

I agree Gloucester services are lovely, but I don't know about the dog coming off its lead. A country park close by is Crickley hill, just a couple of minutes off the motorway - lovely walks, toilets, but don't think there's anywhere to buy a coffee.

[evilkitten]

www.gloucesterservices.com/need-to-know/families suggests there's somewhere to walk the dog.

[Wolfiefan]

Westonbirt arboretum is a bit further but lovely.

[CMOTDibbler]

Slightly further up the M5 (J7). Worcester Country Park is ideal. The dog can run off lead in the woods, and the cafe is lovely. Even if its not terribly nice weather, they have a large covered outside area so you can keep your dogs with you while you eat.

[katmunchkin]

Thanks all for the suggestions

[PeaceOfWildThings]

Robinswood Hill, Gloucester is a lovely place for dog walking There is a little cafe starting up there now (might be run by volunteers) . You could grab a coffee and snack to take out from Gloucester services (but beware they are getting well known and not that big, so long queues, even when well staffed, on a Saturday).
There's lots of pretty Cotswold villages along the way too, so you could look up dog walks and dog friendly pubs...