Heyford Dog Park

The River Cherwell winds through this Oxfordshire reserve just outside Banbury, and it's one of those spots that feels properly removed from the tourist trail despite being minutes from town. Heyford Dog Park is fundamentally a working nature reserve with serious conservation credentials - the kind of place where you're more likely to spot kingfishers than gift shops.

What you actually get here is access to riverside walks where dogs can properly run about without leads (hence the name), and footpaths that thread through meadowland and alongside the water. The reserve supports breeding waders and wintering wildfowl, so it's worth bringing binoculars if you're into that sort of thing. Walkers will appreciate the straightforward terrain and the genuine sense of being in countryside rather than a managed park.

It's ideal for dog owners who want their animals to have proper off-lead time in a responsible environment, and equally good for anyone after a quiet riverside amble. Families with young children might find it a bit sparse on the entertainment front - there's no cafe, no visitor centre, no play equipment. Allow an hour or so for a decent walk, longer if you're stopping to watch wildlife.

The reserve sits well within reach of both The Pig Place and Glebe Leisure caravan parks nearby, making it a solid addition to a week exploring this quieter corner of Oxfordshire. Best visited in spring or autumn when the water meadows are at their most interesting.