Slamseys Dog Field

Just outside Braintree, there's a proper bit of Essex countryside that dog owners swear by - Slamseys Dog Field. It's exactly what the name suggests: a decent-sized open space where dogs can properly run about without a lead, which if you've got a spaniel or a terrier, you'll know is worth its weight in gold.

The field itself is straightforward. Fenced in, reasonably well-maintained, and the kind of place where your dog can actually get tired rather than just trudging round a park on a lead for twenty minutes. It draws a good mix of locals - everyone from retired folk with ancient Labradors to families trying to burn off energy before lunch. There's a real community feel to it, and people tend to chat while the dogs sort themselves out.

Bring water, especially on warm days, and don't expect facilities beyond the basics. An hour's visit is usually enough unless your dog is one of those endlessly enthusiastic types. It's free, which helps, and you can pop along any time during daylight hours.

If you're based at Stocks Farm Camping or Golden Grove Caravan Park nearby, it's a five-minute drive to let the dog properly stretch its legs. Not a reason to book a holiday on its own, but genuinely useful if you're staying locally with a four-legged friend. On a grey Tuesday morning, you might have the place nearly to yourself.