Maddy's Mutt Run Whatton

Walking your dog through Whatton and you'll spot Maddy's Mutt Run - a dedicated off-lead space that's genuinely useful if you're staying nearby with a pooch in tow. It's the sort of facility that doesn't sound like much on paper but makes a real difference when you're on a holiday park and your dog's going stir-crazy.

The run gives dogs proper freedom to burn off energy without you having to trek miles from base camp. Whatton itself is barely five minutes outside Nottingham, so it's handy for anyone using Janson Fishery Caravan & Camping - just a short walk away - or any of the other parks in the area. Families with dogs will appreciate not having to negotiate leads on busy pavements, and if you've got a nervous dog, the enclosed space takes the stress out.

It's free, which is a bonus. There's no pretence to it - just a space designed for what it says on the tin. You won't spend hours here, realistically. Twenty minutes to half an hour is enough for most dogs to have a proper run about. That said, if your dog's one of those animals that could chase a tennis ball until it drops, you might need longer.

Worth knowing: check it's not waterlogged after rain, and go early if you want to avoid the after-work crowd. It's not a destination in itself, but as part of a dog-friendly holiday in Nottinghamshire, it slots in nicely with the parks nearby. Beats standing on a lead round the shops.