AttractionEnglish Heritage

Old Oswestry Hillfort

Oswestry, Shropshire

A 40 acre Iron Age hillfort with ramparts five deep, free and open, giving your dog a big grassy plateau and a real climb on the Welsh border.

This is one of the most impressive Iron Age hillforts in Britain and it is entirely free. Old Oswestry was probably the stronghold of a local Iron Age tribe, and its 40 acres are protected by a formidable series of ramparts and ditches, in places five deep, engineered on a scale that still stops people in their tracks. The unusual pitted hollows on the western side have puzzled archaeologists for a century.

Whilst you work out the rampart sequence and take in views over the Shropshire plain and into Wales, your dog gets superb ground: a big open grassy plateau on top, with the rampart circuits giving a genuine climb and a real circuit rather than a lap. It sits on the edge of Oswestry, so it works as a regular walk.

Free and permanently open. English Heritage note steep pathways and uneven ground and recommend strong footwear, and mountain biking and cycling are not permitted. No dog rules are published, so keep your dog under close control, on a lead near the steep rampart drops, and be aware the site is grazed at times.

At a Glance

Site Type: Prehistoric Site
Entry: Free
Members: Free for English Heritage members

English Heritage Membership

Planning Your Visit

Opening times and prices were checked on 26 August 2026 and are subject to change, and some sites close for events or over winter. Confirm on the English Heritage site page before you travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Old Oswestry Hillfort dog friendly?
Old Oswestry is a great spot to bring a dog. There are no published restrictions on dogs visiting the site, and the 40 acres of open grassland and rampart circuits give your dog plenty of room to explore, with a genuine climb and real circuit rather than just a flat lap.
Are dogs allowed at Old Oswestry Hillfort year round?
Yes — the site is free and permanently open, so you can visit at any time of year. Do bear in mind that the hillfort is grazed at times, so conditions on the ground can vary depending on when you visit.
What should I know before visiting Old Oswestry Hillfort with my dog?
English Heritage flag steep pathways and uneven ground across the site, so keep your dog on a lead near the rampart drops where the terrain can be quite dramatic. The site is grazed at times, so close control is wise throughout your visit. Sturdy footwear is recommended for you too — the ramparts climb seriously in places.