Strawberry Field Pet Play

Strawberry Field Pet Play is a straightforward spot just outside Clacton-on-Sea where dogs can run around properly. It's the sort of place that makes sense if you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks - St Osyth Beach, Seawick, or any of the other holiday villages dotted within a couple of miles - and you need to burn off some four-legged energy without faffing about.

The setup is fairly basic: an enclosed area where pets can chase each other, sniff grass, and do all the things dogs actually want to do rather than trudge alongside you on the seafront. If you've got a boisterous spaniel or a young dog that needs proper exercise, it's worth knowing about. Adults will find it duller than watching paint dry, but kids often enjoy watching the dogs play, especially if other families are around.

There's not much to it beyond that. You're not looking at a day's entertainment here - probably thirty minutes to an hour, depending on how sociable your dog is. No facilities that I'm aware of, so bring water if it's warm.

For a proper park holiday in Essex, this works as a ten-minute filler rather than a main event. If you're based at Valley Farm or Highfield Grange and need a quick dog run, it ticks the box. Otherwise, the beaches and promenades around Clacton are where you'll spend most of your time. Check ahead on opening hours and whether it's free - details aren't widely advertised online.