Mow Cop Castle and the Old Man o' Mow
Cheshire
Mow Cop Castle is a folly built in 1754 as a summer house, its ruined gothic tower standing on the county boundary between Cheshire and Staffordshire with views over the Cheshire Plain and the Potteries. Farmland livestock means a lead for a dog on most of the route, through Hanging Wood to the folly and the wind-carved Old Man o' Mow. It was also the site of the first Primitive Methodist camp meeting in 1807, marked by an engraved stone. This circular walk of around 6.5 kilometres leaves the National Trust car park below the castle, climbs to the folly and the nearby Old Man of Mow, a distinctive gritstone stack shaped by quarrying and weather, then loops through Hanging Wood and the surrounding farmland before returning. The going is a mix of field paths, woodland tracks and some road, with around 130 metres of climbing overall.
This dog friendly walk needs a lead for most of its length, since the route crosses working farmland where sheep, cattle or horses are frequently grazing, and there are exposed drops and old quarry pits close to the castle and the Old Man of Mow. There is no water on the route and no bins beyond the car park, so bring bags and water for your dog. The woodland stretch through Hanging Wood gives some relief from the open, exposed hilltop, and the ground can be muddy after rain. Parking below the castle is free, though it can get busy at weekends, and there are no cafes or pubs directly on the route.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 6.5 km (4.0 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 2 hr 10 min
- Walk Type
- Historic, Woodland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- None on route
- Parking
- National Trust car park on High Street, Mow Cop, free
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Mow Cop Castle and the Old Man o' Mow, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in CheshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Mow Cop Castle and the Old Man o' Mow dog friendly?
Mow Cop Castle and the Old Man o' Mow is a reasonably dog-friendly walk, rated 7 out of 10. Dogs are welcome throughout, and the route offers some varied terrain — open hilltop, woodland through Hanging Wood, and farmland — with the dramatic folly and gritstone Old Man o' Mow making it a rewarding outing for dogs and owners alike.
Can dogs be off lead at Mow Cop Castle and the Old Man o' Mow?
Dogs will need to be kept on a lead for most of this walk. The route crosses working farmland where sheep, cattle and horses are frequently grazing, and there are exposed drops and old quarry pits near the castle and the Old Man o' Mow that make lead control important for safety.
What should I know before visiting Mow Cop Castle and the Old Man o' Mow with my dog?
There is no water or dog waste bins available on the route itself, so bring plenty of water for your dog and carry bags out with you — bins are available at the car park. The ground can get muddy after rain, particularly through Hanging Wood, and the hilltop is exposed, so be prepared for the conditions. Parking is free at the National Trust car park on High Street, though it can fill up at weekends, and there are no cafes or pubs directly on the route.
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