Wellfield Dog Park

There's a proper dog park tucked into the Cumbrian landscape near Kirkby Stephen, and if you're holidaying with a four-legged friend, Wellfield Dog Park is worth knowing about. It's the kind of place that gives your dog space to actually run - not a concrete pen with six other dogs sniffing each other's tails, but actual room to move. The park itself is straightforward: open ground where dogs can be let off-lead, with enough space that anxious owners can relax a bit.

Obviously this is built for dog owners, which if that's you, it's a godsend. Walking groups will get something out of it too - there's a decent stretch of countryside around it, and combining a dog walk with a proper ramble works well. It's the kind of stop that breaks up a longer hike nicely rather than a destination in itself.

Kirkby Stephen sits at the edge of the Pennines, so you're in proper walking country. If you're staying at Gillcumber Glamping Pods just down the road - 1.3 miles away - Wellfield gives you somewhere to properly exercise the dog rather than having it restless in the accommodation. Wild Rose Holiday Park is further afield at 6.2 miles, but still accessible for an afternoon visit. The nearest town has decent cafes where you can sit with a coffee while the dog cools off after a run. Practical stuff: bring water on warmer days. There's not much shelter, so summer middays can be intense. Winter walks here are actually lovely - fewer people about, and the dog won't overheat.