Dog Lovers Festival at Elvaston Castle

A whole weekend built entirely around dogs, set in the parkland of a Grade II listed country estate — tribute bands on stage, have-a-go activities and dog shows across the grounds, and enough food and drink stalls to make a day of it even if your dog would rather nap in the shade. Camping is available on-site, so it can easily stretch into a proper long weekend away.

It's unpretentious and genuinely dog-first rather than dogs-tolerated, which is rarer than it sounds — a good pick if your usual days out involve working around your dog rather than because of them.