Safe Hounds Dog Park

Your dog will lose its mind the moment you walk through the gates at Safe Hounds. It's a proper off-lead paradise just outside Bideford, where your pooch can actually be a dog instead of a furry stress case on a lead.

The setup is straightforward - a decent-sized enclosed area where dogs can run, play, and socialise with other mutts without you having a heart attack about traffic or them disappearing into the undergrowth. If your dog's the type to bolt after every squirrel, this is genuinely liberating. You'll find yourself standing about actually talking to other dog owners instead of white-knuckling a lead.

It's ideal if you're staying at one of the local glamping spots like Owl Valley or Broad Park - both about five miles away - and need to burn off some serious canine energy before heading back to your accommodation. An hour here and your dog will be knackered enough to sleep through the evening.

The space itself isn't enormous, so it works best for dogs that play well with others rather than ones that need miles to roam. Bring water, especially in summer - there's nothing worse than a dehydrated dog on a long drive home. The ground can get muddy after rain, so pack a towel for the car.

Not somewhere to linger for half a day, but absolutely worth the detour if you've got a cooped-up spaniel or border collie in the back seat. Twenty minutes from Bideford makes it a proper essential stop on any Devon dog holiday.