Exmoor Pony Centre

The Exmoor Pony Centre is a proper visitor destination tucked away in Ashwick, Dulverton, about 13 miles from Minehead. Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome into the Centre itself, so you can explore the grounds, yard, paddocks and visitor areas together. There are ponies to meet, petting pens, outdoor seating and a covered arena, making it a genuinely useful half-day stop when the day calls for something more than a walk.

Admission is free, though donations are welcomed and some individual activities carry a small charge. Free on-site parking means no juggling the dog, the lead and a pay machine before you've even started. Taster riding sessions need booking in advance, but general activity afternoons don't, so you can drop by when the weather plays along.

The Centre opens Wednesday to Sunday from 12 to 4 and it's closed Mondays and Tuesdays. The season runs from late March to early November, so check before planning a winter visit. It's the sort of place that suits a calm dog happy to watch the world trot past on a lead.