Brinsea Green Secure Dog Walking Paddock

If your dog's had enough of leads and you're after somewhere they can genuinely run without you having a heart attack, Brinsea Green Secure Dog Walking Paddock near Winscombe is the sort of place that restores your faith in Somerset. It's a fenced enclosure - nothing fancy, but that's rather the point. Your dog gets to be a dog, and you get to stand there with a coffee watching them burn off energy without the constant anxiety of them bolting into the road.

It's ideal for anyone touring with a pet, especially families who've brought the dog along on holiday. The paddock means your pooch isn't cooped up in the caravan or cottage all day while you're out exploring Cheddar Woods Resort & Spa or hiking nearby. Even an hour of proper running about makes a difference to their mood - and yours.

The real value here is the mental break for both of you. If you're staying anywhere in the Winscombe area, this is a sensible detour on your day out. Obviously bring poo bags and water. Given it's a green space rather than a staffed facility, I'd assume it's free, though it's worth ringing ahead just to check opening times and whether it's actually maintained. In peak summer it might get busy with other dog owners, but outside school holidays it's pretty peaceful. Not a destination in itself, but absolutely worth knowing about if you're doing a park holiday with four paws in tow.