Foxglove Secure Dog Field

Off a quiet lane near Mitcheldean sits Foxglove Secure Dog Field - exactly what it says on the tin. It's a proper enclosed space where dogs can run about without a lead, which if you've got a bouncy spaniel or an anxious rescue, is basically gold. The field itself is well-maintained with good fencing all round, and there's enough space that even on busier days your dog won't feel hemmed in by other animals.

This is squarely for dog owners. Not much to see if you haven't got a four-legged friend in tow, but if you have, it solves a real problem. Kids often enjoy watching the chaos unfold - watching their own dog play rough-and-tumble with others - though they'll be bored stiff after twenty minutes if they're not dog-mad themselves.

No charge as far as anyone can tell, and you can spend as little or as long as you want there. Even ten minutes of proper off-lead running does wonders for a dog's mood, especially if you're staying put for a few days.

If you're based at Ryeford Ponds Glamping or Darnells' Farm Luxury Glamping - both cracking spots - you're only a short drive away. It's the sort of place that fits neatly into a morning before doing something else in the area. Not a destination in itself, but a genuinely useful stop if your dog's going spare.