Ardsheal, Fotheringhay

Ardsheal is a large single-storey house on Main Street in Fotheringhay, a small Northamptonshire village on the River Nene, and the garden is what sells it to dog owners. It is enclosed and gated rather than open to the lane, big enough for a dog to properly stretch out in, and it comes up in almost every review left by a guest travelling with one.

The listing publishes no pet fee, weight limit or maximum number of dogs, so settle the details with the owner before you book, particularly if you are bringing more than one. The house itself is level throughout with no stairs to manage, there is off-street parking, and with the whole property to yourselves there are no shared corridors or other guests to work around.

Fotheringhay is a genuinely good dog village. The pub is a two-minute walk and there are footpaths straight out of the village along the river and past the castle mound, so the first and last walk of the day need no driving. Red kites are often overhead from the garden. Oundle, a few minutes away, has the shops and cafes that Fotheringhay does not - the village has no shop at all, so bring dog food with you rather than planning to buy it locally.

The house has its quirks and guests are consistent about them. There is little written guidance waiting when you arrive, storage is limited because the wardrobes are locked or full of the property's own bedding, and there is gym equipment in the lounge along with a certain amount of clutter. None of it affects a dog, but it is worth knowing that this is somebody's house rather than a professionally styled let.

Best suited to a family or a group with one or more dogs who want space, a secure garden and country walking from the door, and who do not mind a house with some personality to it. It earns a 4.6/5 paw rating.