Nesscliffe Hill and Kynaston's Cave
Shropshire
Nesscliffe Hill is a wooded outcrop of red sandstone north of the A5 between Shrewsbury and Oswestry, managed as a free country park with its neighbour The Cliffe, and with no farm animals here dogs can enjoy plenty of off lead time in its woods. Its old quarries supplied stone for local castles and churches, and the hill is full of stories: an Iron Age hillfort with stone-lined guard chambers on the summit, Oliver's Point with its long view over Shropshire to the Welsh hills, and Kynaston's Cave, cut into the cliff and said to be the hideout of the 16th century highwayman Humphrey Kynaston. This 3.2km waymarked loop, called Robbers, Ramparts and Roundheads, climbs from the Pines car park through the ramparts to Oliver's Point, drops through rhododendrons to the cave and returns along the track at the foot of the hill. It is short but hilly, with rock-cut steps, some steep bits and muddy patches.
This is a dog friendly walk through woodland with no farm animals, so a dog with good recall can enjoy plenty of off-lead time. The one thing to watch closely is the sandstone cliffs: parts of the route run near sheer faces, and the old quarry edges drop suddenly, so keep your dog close or on a lead on the higher sections and around the cave. Mountain bikers and horse riders use the bridleways. The trees give good shade, but there is no water, so carry some for your dog. Parking is free.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 3.2 km (2.0 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 1 hr 20 min
- Walk Type
- Woodland, Historic, Heathland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- High
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- None on site; the Old Three Pigeons pub is on the A5 opposite a country park entrance.
- Parking
- Free car parks at The Pines and The Oaks, Nesscliffe Hill Country Park, off the lane to Great Ness.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Nesscliffe Hill and Kynaston's Cave, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in ShropshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Nesscliffe Hill and Kynaston's Cave dog friendly?
Nesscliffe Hill scores 8 out of 10 for dog friendliness, and it's a genuinely welcoming spot for dogs. It's a free country park with no farm animals on site, and the 3.2km waymarked loop through woodland, an Iron Age hillfort and past Kynaston's Cave gives dogs plenty to sniff and explore.
Can dogs be off lead at Nesscliffe Hill and Kynaston's Cave?
Yes — with no farm animals here, a dog with good recall can enjoy a good stretch of off-lead time through the woods. That said, it's worth putting the lead on near the sandstone cliffs and old quarry edges, which drop away suddenly, particularly on the higher sections and around the cave.
What should I know before visiting Nesscliffe Hill and Kynaston's Cave with my dog?
The route is short but lively — hilly in places with rock-cut steps, steep sections and muddy patches — so it's worth coming prepared. There's no water on site, so bring your own for your dog, and be aware that mountain bikers and horse riders also use the bridleways. Parking is free at The Pines and The Oaks car parks, and the Old Three Pigeons pub on the A5 is close by if you fancy a post-walk stop.
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