Blackboys dog meadow

The name alone stops you in your tracks - Blackboys, a village just outside Heathfield in Sussex, with a dog meadow that's become something of a local favourite. It's exactly what it sounds like: a proper open space where dogs can run about without a lead, which is rarer than you'd think in the South East.

The meadow itself is straightforward but effective. There's decent space for a decent sprint, good drainage most of the time, and enough room that your dog won't be constantly in someone else's pocket. The ground's mostly grass with a few muddier patches depending on the season - very Sussex, very real. You'll see regulars here, the sort of people who know each other's dogs' names better than their owners'. It's not fancy, but that's the point.

Bring the pooch and expect to stay 45 minutes or so. There's something calming about watching dogs just be dogs without the usual park restrictions. If you're camping nearby - Dernwood Farm Glamping is only 2.5 miles away, or Horam Manor Country Park at 3.5 miles - it's a proper useful stop for letting the animals burn off energy before heading back to the tent.

Worth visiting? Only if you've got a dog. If you don't, there's nothing here for you. If you do, it's one of those low-key local spots that actually delivers on what it promises. Beats trudging round a designated dog walking area any day.