Greenhead Bark Park

There's a proper little spot called Greenhead Bark Park tucked away in North Ayrshire that dog owners absolutely rave about. It's a dedicated off-lead area where your dog can actually be a dog - running about without a lead, socialising with other mutts, having a proper time of it. The park itself is fairly straightforward: open grassland with fencing, enough space so dogs aren't cramped in together, and usually a decent mix of breeds and sizes mucking about.

If you're staying at Parkdean Resorts Sandylands just down the road - barely two miles away - this makes a cracking morning or late afternoon break during a caravan holiday. Your dog gets exercise and mental stimulation, which frankly means they're less likely to wind you up in the van later. You'll need to keep an eye on things, mind - standard rules apply, your dog needs to be under control and not aggressive. Bring poo bags. Lots of them.

It's the kind of place that doesn't take hours to do. Pop in for thirty minutes to an hour and your dog will be knackered. Not free - there's a small charge per visit - but reasonable value if your hound's cooped up during a holiday week. Worth the trip? Only if you've got a dog. Solo walkers and families without pets won't find much here. But if you're a dog parent, it solves a real problem during a park holiday.