Horsenden Hill and the Grand Union Canal
London
Horsenden Hill rises to 85 metres above Perivale in the London Borough of Ealing, and dogs need a lead crossing the meadows below, where cattle have grazed as part of a conservation project since 2006. It has been lived on for a long time: pottery finds show an Iron Age settlement here around 2,500 years ago, the name comes from a Saxon word for a hill fortress, and an anti-aircraft battery stood on the top in the Second World War. The summit, with its trig point, looks out over Wembley Stadium, Harrow on the Hill and, on clear days, the Home Counties. This 4.5km loop from the Horsenden Farm car park climbs through Horsenden Wood to the summit, drops across the meadows below the hill and follows the Paddington Arm of the Grand Union Canal back to the farm. Paths mix tarmac, sandy tracks and grassy field edges with plank bridges over ditches and around 60 metres of climbing.
This is a dog friendly walk with plenty of variety. The woods on the slopes give shade and a good chance for a dog with reliable recall to be off lead, but the meadows are grazed by cattle as part of the Horsenden grazing project, so check each field and put your dog on a lead where cattle are out. On the towpath, keep dogs close for cyclists and away from the canal edge. There is a visitor centre at Horsenden Farm, and the Ballot Box pub on Horsenden Lane North is at the top of the hill.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 4.5 km (2.8 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 20 min
- Walk Type
- Woodland, Canal, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- Visitor centre at Horsenden Farm; Ballot Box pub on Horsenden Lane North; Perivale Brewery taproom at weekends.
- Parking
- Horsenden Farm car park off Horsenden Lane North (Ealing Council); a second car park is on the north side of the hill. Perivale station (Central line) is nearby.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Horsenden Hill and the Grand Union Canal, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Horsenden Hill and the Grand Union Canal dog friendly?
Horsenden Hill and the Grand Union Canal scores 7 out of 10 for dog friendliness, and it's a genuinely enjoyable outing for dogs with a good mix of woodland, open hilltop and canal towpath across a 4.5km loop. There are a few things to manage — cattle in the meadows and cyclists on the towpath — but with a bit of care this is a varied and rewarding walk for dogs and owners alike.
Can dogs be off lead at Horsenden Hill and the Grand Union Canal?
Dogs can be off lead in Horsenden Wood on the slopes of the hill, which offers good shade and plenty to explore — though reliable recall is recommended. The meadows below the hill are grazed by cattle as part of an active conservation project, so leads are required there, and on the canal towpath it's worth keeping dogs close for passing cyclists and away from the water's edge.
What should I know before visiting Horsenden Hill and the Grand Union Canal with my dog?
The main things to be aware of are the cattle grazing in the meadows — check each field before entering and put your dog on a lead wherever cattle are present. The route involves around 60 metres of climbing on a mix of tarmac, sandy tracks, grassy paths and plank bridges over ditches, so it's worth knowing what your dog is comfortable with underfoot. On the plus side, there's a visitor centre at Horsenden Farm, the Ballot Box pub nearby, and the Perivale Brewery taproom opens at weekends.
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Horsenden Farm Car Park, Horsenden Lane North, Perivale, Greenford UB6 7PQ
51.5427, -0.3232
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