Mickley Dog Run

A fenced-off patch near Nantwich where dogs can run about without a lead - that's the gist of Mickley Dog Run. It's a proper no-frills setup, the kind of place where your spaniel or terrier can burn off energy while you stand about with the other dog owners, making small talk about pet food and how wet it gets underfoot.

The run itself is modest. You won't find agility equipment or fancy water bowls, just open grass and fencing that keeps your hound from bolting into the road. On a decent morning it fills up with regulars - locals who know each other by name, which is either lovely or a bit cliquey depending on your mood. In winter it becomes a mud bath, so bring a towel for the journey home.

It's genuinely useful if you're staying at Sunny Side Touring Park just down the road, or the larger Marbury Camp & Lodge nearby. Those caravan holidays often leave dogs cabin fever by day two, so having a dog run within spitting distance makes a real difference. Pack half an hour here between breakfast and heading out exploring Nantwich proper.

Free to use - no one's collecting fees at the gate. Go early morning if you want to avoid the crowds, or mid-afternoon when most owners have moved on. Evening visits in summer are pleasant enough, though the field can get boggy come autumn. Worth knowing about if you're bringing a dog along, pointless if you aren't.