Corner Meadow Dog Paddock

A proper little spot just outside Oakham where dogs get to run about without the lead - that's Corner Meadow Dog Paddock in a nutshell. It's exactly what it sounds like: an open field with fencing where your pooch can burn off energy while you stand about with a cup of tea from the café, or just watch them muck about with other dogs.

The appeal is straightforward. If you've driven a few hours to Rutland with a spaniel or terrier that's been cooped up in the car, this saves you from an afternoon of whining. The paddock is decent-sized so there's proper room for a good run, and it attracts a regular crowd of local dogs, which means your animal either gets socialised or learns to dodge the boisterous ones.

Staying at Greendale Farm Caravan & Camping Park or Emily's Cut Camping nearby means you've got this sorted for part of your day without needing to trek far. Neither site is massive, which is the point - you get the proper park experience without the theme-park feel.

There's not much else to do if you're not a dog owner, and even then you're looking at maybe 45 minutes before everyone's exhausted. Go mid-morning on a weekday if you can - you'll avoid the Saturday madness and actually find a patch of grass that isn't covered in muddy paw prints. Free to use, worth knowing about if you're bringing a dog on holiday.