Edge Hill and Radway
Warwickshire
Edge Hill is the escarpment above the village of Radway in south Warwickshire, rising 112 metres above the village to 219 metres at its highest point, close to the Oxfordshire border, best climbed with a dog on a lead through the farmland below. It gave its name to the Battle of Edgehill in October 1642, the first major clash of the English Civil War, fought below as the King's army descended from the ridge to meet the Parliamentarians. A footpath climbs from Radway through parkland and along the ridge to the Castle Inn, an eccentric folly built in the 1740s by Sanderson Miller on the site of the King's command post, now a pub. The full circuit drops back through the fields below the escarpment, covering around 7km with a climb up the scarp face.
This is a dog friendly walk through rolling parkland and farmland, and the climb up the scarp gives good views back over the battlefield and the plain beyond. Much of the route crosses working farmland around Radway and the Upton estate, so livestock, usually sheep, may be met in the fields, and dogs should be kept on a lead there and under close control elsewhere. There is little shade on the open ridge, though lower woodland and parkland sections offer some cover for a dog on hot days. The Castle Inn at the top of the climb is a good stop, and Radway village has quiet lanes for the return leg. There is no significant water on the route, so bring some for your dog.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 7.0 km (4.3 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 2 hr 10 min
- Walk Type
- Historic, Peak
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- The Castle Inn (Radway Tower) at the top of the climb; no toilets on the route.
- Parking
- Limited roadside parking around Radway village; no dedicated car park confirmed.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Edge Hill and Radway, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Jacksons Cottage - Chipping Campden
Sleeps 4 · 1 dog · Enclosed garden
from £1,286 / 7 nights
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All dog friendly stays in WarwickshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Edge Hill and Radway dog friendly?
Edge Hill and Radway is a solid choice for a dog walk, rated 7 out of 10 for dog friendliness. The route takes you through rolling parkland and farmland, up the dramatic escarpment to the Castle Inn at the top, with good views over the battlefield and plain below. It's a rewarding outing for dogs that are comfortable with a longer walk, covering around 7km in total.
Can dogs be off lead at Edge Hill and Radway?
Much of the route crosses working farmland and the Upton estate, where livestock — usually sheep — may be present, so dogs need to be on a lead in those areas and under close control elsewhere. The climb up through the farmland below the escarpment in particular calls for a lead. There are quieter parkland and woodland sections lower down where conditions may be more relaxed, but this isn't a route where you can expect long stretches of off-lead freedom.
What should I know before visiting Edge Hill and Radway with my dog?
A few practical things are worth bearing in mind. There's no significant water source on the route, so bring enough for your dog, especially on warmer days — the open ridge offers little shade, though the lower woodland and parkland sections give some relief from the heat. Parking is limited to roadside spots around Radway village with no dedicated car park, and the only facility on the walk itself is the Castle Inn at the top of the climb, which makes a good rest stop.
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