Croft Ambrey and Croft Castle

The National Trust's Croft Castle estate in north Herefordshire is one of the most complete combinations of ancient parkland, woodland, and Iron Age hillfort in the county. The 6.5 km circuit from the estate car park walks through an avenue of Spanish chestnuts estimated at 350 years old — a cathedral-like approach before the open deer park — before climbing to Croft Ambrey hillfort on the ridge, with views that on clear days reach Wales and Shropshire.

The parkland floor carries centuries of leaf fall, sweet rot, and the persistent deer and fox scent that runs through Croft year-round — an exceptional environment for dogs to move through. The deer park section requires leads, and dogs must remain under close control throughout the estate in line with National Trust guidance. The hilltop fort is open and grassy, and the combination of woodland, open parkland, and elevated ridge makes this one of the more varied shorter walks in the county.