Holly Lodge Dog Fields & Cafe

A highly regarded, large dog park with multiple fully enclosed fields (North and South paddocks) available for hire by the hour, offering a safe, secure environment for dogs to play off-lead. The grounds are well-maintained and clearly designed with both dogs and owners in mind, featuring natural and man-made obstacles such as hay bales, tyres, jump poles, logs, and other agility-style activities. The park accommodates both energetic and nervous dogs, with careful layouts to avoid unexpected dog interactions and double gating/vestibules for added safety. There’s ample parking, direct access to fields, picnic benches, shelter seating, bins, and dog drinking stations. Owners appreciate the clear signage, considered design (such as separate parking and entrances for each field), and regular presence of poo bags. The facility is adjacent to a popular, modern, spacious cafe serving freshly made food, cakes, pastries, and drinks, with both indoor and large outdoor seating. There’s a dedicated soft play and play area for children, making it a destination for families, dog owners, and cyclists. Booking is required, and pricing is considered very reasonable for the size and quality of facilities.

Field Feature Notes:
– Secured: Fields are described as fully enclosed with secure and even double-gated entries and vestibule areas. Each field/paddock is separated, offering high security especially for reactive or poor recall dogs. Some indication that highly determined escape artists may get over fences, but overall security is stressed throughout reviews.
– Seating: Numerous mentions of ample indoor and outdoor seating at the cafe, picnic benches and sheltered or wind-shielded seating within the fields themselves.
– Toilets: Multiple reviews confirm the presence of modern, clean toilets in the cafe and portaloos available by the dog fields, which is rare and appreciated.
– Toilet Bags: Poo bags (dog waste bags) are provided on gates and at strategic points in the fields, mentioned regularly. Frequent reminder to pick up after dogs.
– Bins: Bins for waste are provided at gates and spread throughout the fields, facilitating dog waste disposal.
– Shaded Areas: Shelters and some shaded seating available in fields, and plenty of indoor/outdoor cafe coverage. Specific notes on shelter to protect from wind/rain in reviews.
– Drinking Water: Drinking water facilities for dogs are mentioned (bowls and hoses available in the fields).
– Water Play Area: No evidence/mention of a specific dog water play area such as ponds or streams, only standard water bowls and hoses.
– Agility Equipment: Several reviews highlight natural obstacles, hay bales, tyres, logs, jump poles, and activities as enrichment for dogs (though not full agility courses, but more than just open fields).
– Park Size: Fields are referred to as ‘huge’, ‘large’, and ‘spacious’, with multiple enclosures for individual hire and enough room for multiple dogs and events.
– Cost: Hiring a field requires advance booking and payment, but is described as ‘very reasonable’, ‘excellent value’, and ‘worth every penny’, especially compared to similar options in the area.

Other Field Features:
– Modern, purpose-built dog-friendly cafe with extensive cake/bakery, hot food, and treats for dogs
– Exclusive booking system for privacy or reactive dogs
– Soft play and outdoor play area for children
– Ample, secure off-road/field-adjacent parking with coded entry/exit
– Bike racks and cycle-friendly environment
– On-site dog groomer and deli nearby
– Accessible, inclusive toilets with nappy change/potty training facilities
– Hand sanitizer and COVID-conscious protocols
– Events such as flyball competitions, dog sport taster sessions, and breed meetups