St John's Secure Dog Walking Field

A fenced field near Folkestone where dogs can run free without a lead - that's the appeal of St John's Secure Dog Walking Field, and it's genuinely useful if you're touring Kent with a pooch. The reserve itself is straightforward: open grassland enclosed properly so your dog won't bolt off chasing rabbits into the next county. There's nothing fancy about it, but that's rather the point.

It works brilliantly for families with energetic dogs who need proper off-lead exercise but whose owners can't face the anxiety of open moorland. Kids often tag along and get a kick out of watching their dog properly run about. The field is basic but well-maintained, and you'll usually find other dog owners there, so it's sociable in a low-key way.

If you're staying at Hawthorne Trench Campsite just down the road - a solid five-star spot - this is a convenient pit stop rather than a destination in itself. Twenty minutes is about right unless you're settling in for a longer play session. There's no cost that I'm aware of, and it doesn't demand advance booking.

Worth the detour? Only if you've got a dog. Without one, there's not much to see. But if you're camping locally with a retriever or a spaniel that needs burning off, it saves you driving to the Downs hunting for an off-lead option. Frankly, any dog owner will understand the relief of finding a proper secure space.