Grafton Dog Field

Just outside Hereford sits a field that's become something of a pilgrimage spot for dog owners - Grafton Dog Field. It's straightforward enough: a proper open space where dogs can run about without leads, which round these parts is genuinely worth knowing about. The field itself is nothing fancy to look at, but that's rather the point. You're here for your dog to burn off energy, not for manicured lawns or sculpture installations.

The real draw is the freedom. If your spaniel has been cooped up in the car during a long drive to one of the nearby holiday parks - Woodland Tipi & Yurt Holidays or Tresseck Campsite are both within easy striking distance - this is where they'll remember what their legs are for. Most days you'll find a rotating cast of locals and holidaymakers doing the same thing, so it's decent for canine socialising too, though the usual rules apply about keeping an eye on your own dog.

For families on a Herefordshire break, it fits neatly into a morning slot before heading off to bigger attractions. Give it 45 minutes to an hour. Take a ball, maybe a lead if your dog's recall is dodgy. Best visited when it's not been raining hard - the field can get boggy. Dogs adore it; humans find it practical and unpretentious. That's the honest truth of it.