Shropshire has no coastline, so none of the seasonal beach bans in our coastal-county guides apply here — instead, the county’s walking rules centre on two separate council orders, a scattering of National Trust and nature-reserve policies, and a couple of place-name mix-ups worth sorting out before you set off.
Two councils, two separate dog control orders
Shropshire Council runs its own countywide Public Spaces Protection Order: fouling is banned everywhere in public, dogs must be kept on a lead on specified roads and in certain public spaces, and dogs can be excluded entirely from fenced play areas and marked sports pitches. Telford & Wrekin, a separate unitary authority carved out of the historic county, runs its own distinct PSPO rather than being covered by Shropshire Council’s order — worth knowing if you’re walking across the boundary between the two.
The Shropshire Hills AONB and the Long Mynd
The Shropshire Hills AONB publishes its own Canine Code, asking owners to keep dogs under close control near livestock and ground-nesting birds rather than imposing a blanket lead rule. The National Trust’s own page for the Long Mynd and Carding Mill Valley asks for dogs on leads around the farmed land and grazing animals on the hill, with more freedom on the open common itself away from stock.
Stiperstones and the reserve next door
We couldn’t find a published dog-specific policy for Stiperstones National Nature Reserve itself — a genuine gap rather than a guess. The adjoining Nipstone Rock, a Shropshire Wildlife Trust reserve right next to it, does ask for dogs to be kept on a lead, which is worth following on the Stiperstones side too given how closely the two sit together.
Attingham Park and Dudmaston
Both National Trust properties welcome dogs on leads across most of their grounds, with Attingham Park’s deer park requiring extra care as the deer roam freely among walkers. Neither site’s own page describes an off-lead area, so a lead throughout is the safer assumption at both.
A misconception worth correcting
Chirk Castle, Powis Castle and Croft Castle are all regularly grouped with Shropshire in general “castles near Shrewsbury” content, but none of them are actually in the county: Chirk Castle and Powis Castle are over the border in Powys, Wales, and Croft Castle sits in Herefordshire. Worth knowing if you’re planning a walk specifically within Shropshire itself.
Water safety: the Severn and the Meres
We found no specific dog order for the River Severn as it runs through the county, but the river’s currents are a known general safety concern regardless of any bylaw. Around Ellesmere’s Meres, blue-green algae warnings are issued periodically in warmer months — always check current signage before letting a dog swim, since algae blooms can be seriously harmful.
Hill farmland, open commons and sudden livestock can be a lot of new stimulation for a dog that’s mostly walked on the flat. A calming bite can help take the edge off a walk somewhere busier or less familiar. If your dog struggles to settle regardless of where you walk, that’s worth a conversation with your vet or a qualified trainer.
For everything else dog-related in Shropshire, see our Shropshire dog services hub — and if you’re staying over, here’s our guide to dog-friendly accommodation in the county.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Shropshire have one dog control order or two?
Two — Shropshire Council and Telford & Wrekin Council each run their own separate Public Spaces Protection Order, so the rules differ slightly depending which side of the boundary you’re on.
Is Chirk Castle in Shropshire?
No — despite often being grouped with Shropshire castle walks, Chirk Castle is actually across the border in Powys, Wales.
Is it safe to let my dog swim in Ellesmere’s Meres?
Check current signage first — blue-green algae warnings are issued periodically in warmer months, and algae blooms can be genuinely harmful to dogs.
Written by Georgiana & Figo, who treats every new hillside as a fresh excuse for a proper nose-down investigation.
