Haughmond Hill Wilfred's Walk
Shropshire
Haughmond Hill is a low, wooded hill east of Shrewsbury, with no livestock and some of the best off lead woodland walking near the town for a dog with good recall. It is made of Precambrian sediments that once slid off an ancient continent into the sea. Forestry England manages it as a forest park, and its rocky front edge looks out over the River Severn and Shrewsbury to the South Shropshire and Welsh hills. The hill has its own legends: Queen Eleanor's Bower, a small enclosure where a queen supposedly watched the Battle of Shrewsbury in 1403, and the ruins of Haughmond Castle, an 18th century folly that collapsed in 1931. Wilfred's Walk is the longest of the four waymarked trails at 5.4km, passing the site of Nancy Spragg's cottage, the only home ever built on the hill, and the Iron Age enclosure with its view over Shrewsbury. Paths are rocky and rooty with some gentle climbing, and can be muddy after rain.
This is a dog friendly walk in mixed woodland with no livestock, so a dog with good recall can enjoy real off-lead freedom on the trails as long as it stays under control. Deer live in the woods, so keep an eye out for a chase, and stay close to your dog at the quarry viewing platform and along the rocky edge. There is plenty of shade but no reliable water on the hill, so bring some. The pay and display car park has toilets and a cafe, and Forestry England members park free.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 5.4 km (3.4 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 35 min
- Walk Type
- Woodland, Forest, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- High
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- Toilets (including accessible) and Haughmond Hill Cafe at the car park; picnic area.
- Parking
- Haughmond Hill car park off the B5062, Forestry England, pay and display, free for Forestry England members.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Haughmond Hill Wilfred's Walk, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in ShropshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Haughmond Hill Wilfred's Walk dog friendly?
Yes, Forestry England welcomes dogs at Haughmond Hill, and Wilfred's Walk scores 8 out of 10 for dog friendliness. The trail runs through shady mixed woodland with no livestock, which makes it a relaxed walk for most dogs. The main caveat is that there is no water to drink or paddle in, and the trail can be busy near the car park at weekends.
Can dogs be off lead at Haughmond Hill Wilfred's Walk?
Yes, there is good off-lead potential on Wilfred's Walk, as there are no sheep or cattle on the hill. Forestry England asks that dogs are kept under control at all times. Deer live in the woods, so a reliable recall matters, and it is wise to put the lead on near the quarry viewing platform, the busier trails close to the car park and around the cafe.
What should I know before visiting Haughmond Hill Wilfred's Walk with my dog?
The trail is 5.4km with rocky sections, exposed roots and mud after rain, so allow about an hour and a half. The car park off the B5062 is Forestry England pay and display, with toilets and a cafe on site, and members park free. There is no drinking water on the trail, so carry some for your dog on warm days. Barbecues and fires are not allowed.
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