Dog Friendly Oswestry

Whittington Castle — dog friendly, free entry — Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Oswestry and the surrounding border country are excellent territory for dogs. The hill fort is off-lead country, the canal towpath stretches for miles, and the Ceiriog Valley and Shropshire Hills offer serious walking for serious dogs. Several of the best pubs in the area actively welcome dogs. Here is our guide to making the most of the area with a dog.

Dog Friendly Walks

Old Oswestry Hill Fort

Dogs are welcome on the hill fort at all times. The open grassland of the ramparts and the surrounding field paths are excellent off-lead territory — good footing, good views, and generally quiet. The site is managed as open access land. Keep dogs under close control near the entrance path which crosses a road.

Cae Glas Park

Oswestry’s town park is dog-friendly throughout. The park’s 28 acres include open grass, the Candy Woods woodland area, and paths that are easy on both dogs and owners. Dogs should be kept on leads in the children’s play area section.

Llangollen Canal Towpath

The towpath is an ideal dog walk — flat, well-surfaced, and stretching for miles through quiet countryside. Dogs should be on leads near locks and around working boats. The section from Maesbury Marsh toward Gronwen and Ellesmere’s Frankton Junction is particularly pleasant.

Offa’s Dyke Path

The long-distance trail is excellent dog walking country in this area, though dogs should be kept on leads near livestock (which is essentially always, in border farming country). The section around Llanymynech Hill is outstanding, with limestone grassland and wide views.

Ceiriog Valley

The valley lanes and footpaths are quiet and rewarding dog-walking country. The river is accessible at several points and most dogs make enthusiastic use of it. Keep on leads near sheep on the higher ground. The Hand at Llanarmon at the head of the valley is dog-friendly inside and out.

Colemere Country Park

The 1.5-mile circular walk around Cole Mere is excellent for dogs — easy, well-signed, interesting with waterbirds and woodland. Dogs on leads near the water’s edge and in the picnic area.

Dog Friendly Pubs

The Bailey Head, Oswestry

CAMRA National Pub of the Year 2025. Dogs are welcome in the bar area of this extraordinary pub. Multiple real ales, reasonable prices, and a building unlike any other pub in the country.

The Griffin Inn, Oswestry

The 17th-century Griffin on Albion Hill is dog-friendly in the bar. Real ales, good food, and a proper locals’ pub atmosphere. Dogs are settled here; it’s that sort of pub.

The Bradford Arms, Llanymynech

Seven miles south on the A483, right on the Wales-England border. Dogs welcome in the bar. A genuine country pub with excellent real ales and a cross-border novelty that never gets old.

The Hand at Llanarmon, Ceiriog Valley

Fourteen miles into the Ceiriog Valley. One of the most dog-welcoming pubs in the region — stone floors, log fires, and walkers with muddy boots and muddy dogs are the norm here. An outstanding destination in itself.

The West Arms, Llanarmon

In the same village as The Hand, the West Arms is a 16th-century inn at the head of the Ceiriog Valley. Dogs welcome; the valley walk from the car park into the hills is one of the finest short walks in north Wales.

Dog Friendly Attractions

Whittington Castle Grounds

Dogs on leads are welcome in the castle grounds. The moat walk and grass areas are good for dogs, and the castle’s café has outdoor seating. A pleasant half-hour stop.

Border Country Lanes

The network of quiet country lanes around Oswestry — particularly south and west toward the Welsh border — is ideal for dogs that prefer road walking to footpaths. Traffic is minimal and the countryside is beautiful.

Practical Notes

The border country around Oswestry is active sheep-farming land. Dogs should be under close control or on leads whenever sheep are in nearby fields — which is most of the time on the higher ground. The canal towpath has occasional cattle grids; most dogs manage them without difficulty. Water is freely available from the river Ceiriog and the canal, though bring your own bowl for town stops.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are dogs allowed at Old Oswestry Hill Fort?

Yes — dogs are welcome at Old Oswestry Hill Fort. The open grassland of the ramparts is excellent off-lead territory. Keep dogs under close control near the road crossing at the entrance.

Are there dog friendly pubs in Oswestry?

Yes — the Bailey Head (CAMRA Pub of the Year 2025) and the Griffin Inn are both dog-friendly in their bar areas. Country pubs further afield, including the Hand at Llanarmon and the Bradford Arms at Llanymynech, are actively dog-welcoming.