This report lists private dog exercise fields (secure, enclosed spaces for off-lead dog exercise) across the UK, organized by region. Each entry includes name, location, website, phone and email (where available), with sources. Following the directory, we discuss legal/safety issues, booking considerations, popularity trends, and how these fields offer secure environments. Finally, we note that listing fields on public directories can help owners and operators connect.

Directory of Private Dog Exercise Fields (by Region)

North West England

North East England

West Midlands

Wales

Northern Ireland

East Midlands

South East England

London

South West England

Legal and Safety Considerations

Private dog fields must meet certain safety and legal requirements. Key points include:

• Secure Fencing: Fields are typically surrounded by high fences. Industry guidance specifies 6 ft (1.8 m) fencing with secure gates to prevent escapes. Good fields often have tornado fencing or stock fencing, sometimes with buried wire to deter digging.

• Gated Access (“Airlock”): Many fields use double gates or airlock entry systems so owners can unload dogs before entering the main area safely.

• Liability Insurance: Operators should carry public liability insurance (typically £5–10 million coverage) to protect against accidents or escapes. Specialized “dog walking field” insurance products require the field to be fenced and gated. They also mandate no public footpaths through the site.

• Waivers and Rules: Users usually agree to rules (e.g. number of dogs, cleaning up) and sometimes sign waivers releasing the owner from liability. Operators may post health guidelines (e.g. no dogs with kennel cough, evidence of vaccinations, etc.) to ensure a safe environment for all dogs.

• Planning and Permissions: Converting farmland to a dog field often requires checking planning or land-use rules. Generally, planning permission is not needed for temporary “exercise fields” with no permanent structures. Owners often form separate businesses or obtain liability insurance. It’s wise for any new operator to research local regulations before opening a field.

What Owners Should Look For When Booking

When choosing a private dog field, owners should check:

• Fencing and Security: A secure, tall fence is essential. Fields should have 5–6 ft high fences with gates that lock behind you. Ask about any loose boards or holes, and whether adjacent public paths or fields could allow distraction.

• Insurance/Credibility: Check that the operator has liability insurance (you can ask). Also look for affiliation with directories like British Dog Fields or PFMA as credibility.

• Booking System and Isolation: Ensure the field is exclusive-use (you get it alone) and that booking slots are separated to avoid overlap. Good fields use online booking with time buffers.

• Ground Conditions and Amenities: Look for recent user reviews. A good field will have decent footing, parking space, water for dogs, and possibly shade or obstacles for enrichment. Some fields even list details on surfaces or features online.

• Number of Dogs Allowed: Check how many dogs (and people) are allowed per booking. Many fields limit sessions to 6–8 dogs or one owner per booking.

• Access and Hours: Note the location and operating hours. Some fields close at dusk or at certain times. Many rural fields have key code entry after booking.

In summary, choose fields with verified secure fences and good reviews. Ask about any concerns. A professional attitude from the operator is a good sign.

Growing Popularity of Private Dog Fields

Private enclosed dog fields have expanded rapidly in recent years. Industry sources report over 450 facilities nationwide. Several factors drive this trend:

• Pandemic Puppies: Lockdowns led to a huge surge in pet adoptions – an estimated 2.1 million new pets during 2020 lockdowns. Many of these dogs missed early socialization or have weak recall. Owners of “pandemic puppies” often seek off-lead exercise space to burn energy safely.

• Behavioral Needs: Veterinary studies and field owners note rising behavioral issues in recent dog cohorts. Owners of reactive or nervous dogs prefer a private field over crowded parks. The fields cater to training, burn-off and safe play for dogs that cannot be let off lead in public places.

• Urbanization and Limited Public Space: In cities and suburbs, there are few secure off-leash areas, so private fields serve urban dog owners needing countryside access.

• Farmer Diversification: Many landowners have realized that leasing fields to dog owners is profitable and utilizes idle land. News reports and insurance blogs document farmers converting meadows to dog fields.

• Pet Industry Promotion: Pet industry guides and directories have promoted the concept. The rise is now widely covered in pet media.

In short, more dogs (especially young or untrained) plus entrepreneur landowners mean more fields. Social media, word-of-mouth and listing sites have also fueled awareness.

Benefits: A Safe, Controlled Environment

Private fields offer a safe, enclosed environment for recreation and training:

• Exclusive Use: You book the field for your own use only. This removes risks of loose dogs or crowds.

• Secure Off-Lead Play: With high fences and gate locks, owners can let dogs run off-lead freely. There are no cars or strangers to worry about once inside. Many fields have a gated “airlock” area.

• Reactivity-Friendly: Fields are ideal for dogs that react to others. Fields allow exclusive use and timed gaps between visits, ensuring you can enjoy uninterrupted time alone with your dog.

• Training and Focus: With fewer distractions, owners can better work on recall, commands, or agility training. Features like sandpits, scent trails or agility equipment enhance enrichment.

• Amenities: Many fields provide dog-friendly amenities – bowls of water, waste bins, and even agility toys. Some have dog washes or dedicated areas to prevent muddy paw traffic.

• Peace of Mind: Owners also get mental peace knowing their dog is contained. Fences with privacy screening prevent dogs from seeing outside stimuli, and gap buffers keep neighboring fields isolated.

Overall, these fields give owners confidence: dogs can run, sniff and play within a known boundary, and owners can supervise from their car or field edge without fear of escape.

Connecting Owners and Operators: Field Directories

Listing fields on dedicated directories greatly helps connections between dog owners and field operators. Several websites and apps exist:

• DogWalkingFields.co.uk: A popular directory listing nearly 1,000 exclusive-use dog fields across the UK. Users can search by location, view amenities, and book online.

• BritishDogFields.com: A membership directory run by the Pet Professional Guild (UK). It lists verified fields by region (with reviews). Their award-winning fields highlight quality venues.

• DogParksNearMe.co.uk: A user-generated listing with hundreds of entries; owners often post contact details and photos.

• Specialist Sites: Some fields appear on kennel or walker insurance sites or local group pages.

Encouraging field owners to advertise on these platforms benefits everyone. Owners searching online are more likely to find and book fields when they see them on a trusted directory or app. Likewise, field operators gain visibility and can manage bookings through the directory’s booking system.