Oswestry Old Racecourse Common
Shropshire
Oswestry Old Racecourse sits on Cyrn y Bwch, a hilltop of about 305 metres west of Oswestry that was long seen as a barrier between England and Wales, and its open common today gives dogs plenty of room to roam off lead. Horse racing began here in the early 17th century and drew huge crowds, until the last race was run in 1848. Today the 22 hectare common is open for recreation, and the figure of eight track and the remains of the grandstand can still be traced among the heath, scrub, bracken and wildflower grassland. A stone sculpture of a double horse head looks both ways, into Wales and England. This walk follows the 3km figure of eight route around the old course on level, wide grass paths, and the Offa's Dyke Path National Trail crosses the common for anyone wanting to go further.
This is a dog friendly walk and an easy one to enjoy with a dog of any age, with wide open space, short grass and far-reaching views in every direction. The open common gives a dog with good recall room to roam, though horse riders use the site and the B4580 runs alongside, so keep a lead handy near the road and the car park. There is little shade on the hilltop and no water, so carry some for your dog on warm days. Parking at South Common is free and open all the time.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 3.0 km (1.9 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 55 min
- Walk Type
- Heathland, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- No facilities on the common; cafes and pubs in Oswestry.
- Parking
- Free informal car park at South Common, open at all times.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Oswestry Old Racecourse Common, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Booking links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you. Prices are a guide only and change with dates and availability.
All dog friendly stays in ShropshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Oswestry Old Racecourse Common dog friendly?
Oswestry Old Racecourse Common is a great spot for dogs and earns a solid 8 out of 10 on our dog-friendly rating. The 22 hectare open common offers wide grass paths, short grass underfoot and far-reaching views, making it a comfortable outing for dogs of any age or size.
Can dogs be off lead at Oswestry Old Racecourse Common?
Dogs with good recall can enjoy plenty of off-lead freedom across the open common. That said, horse riders use the site and the B4580 road runs alongside, so it's worth having a lead to hand near the car park and road edges.
What should I know before visiting Oswestry Old Racecourse Common with my dog?
There's no water or shade on the hilltop, so bring your own drink for your dog, especially on warmer days. Parking is free and open at all times at South Common, and if you need a cafe or pub afterwards, Oswestry is close by — there are no facilities on the common itself.
Visitor Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience.
What’s Nearby?
Attraction2.1 mi awayOld Oswestry Hillfort
Shropshire
A 40 acre Iron Age hillfort with ramparts five deep, free and open, giving your dog a big grassy plateau and a real climb on the Welsh border.
Walk5.8 mi awayLlanymynech Rocks and Offa's Dyke Circular
Shropshire
A border-hopping circuit where dogs get some off lead freedom past a Victorian Hoffmann kiln and limestone quarry cliffs, returning along Offa's Dyke and the Montgomery Canal.
Walk7.3 mi awayPontcysyllte Aqueduct and Trevor Basin
Wrexham
A flat towpath route for dogs on a lead across Thomas Telford's Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, the tallest navigable one in the world, with dog friendly pubs at either end.
Walk7.7 mi awayCastell Dinas Bran Circular from Llangollen
Denbighshire
A steep climb from Llangollen to a ruined hilltop castle, with a canal towpath dogs can trot along and wide Dee Valley views for their owners.
Walk8.1 mi awayHorseshoe Falls and the Llangollen Canal
Denbighshire
A flat towpath walk for dogs on a lead from Llangollen Wharf to Thomas Telford's Horseshoe Falls weir, with a paddling spot for them at the end.
Walk9.2 mi awayLlangollen Canal and Valle Crucis Abbey Walk
Denbighshire
An easy dog friendly walk linking the towpath of the World Heritage Llangollen Canal with the romantic ruins of the Cistercian Valle Crucis Abbey.