Barley House, Talaton

Barley House is a large, modern barn conversion in the East Devon village of Talaton, set in landscaped grounds alongside the owners' house and a couple of sister cottages. It is a clear step up from the standard of most places that take dogs, and guests notice: good-quality furnishings, underfloor heating, a wide open-plan living space, and none of the tired hard-wearing decor that usually signals a pet-friendly let.

Dogs are properly welcomed rather than grudgingly permitted. Arriving parties have found treats or a small gift for the dog alongside the human welcome hamper, and the owners hand out local walking suggestions with everything else. The ground floor is laid with wood and tile, which makes clearing up after a wet Devon walk straightforward, and there is room for a crate in the living area. A downstairs bedroom with its own wetroom makes the house workable for anyone who cannot manage stairs, dogs included.

The grounds are the main attraction and also the main caveat. There are wide lawns to exercise a lively dog and a village walk that starts at the gate, but the individual gardens are not fenced to a dog-proof standard, so anything with a habit of wandering needs to stay on a lead outside. Talaton itself is small, with one pub and a community shop a minute from the door. Sidmouth and the east Devon beaches are fifteen to twenty minutes away, and there is a golf course, a farm shop and a garden centre nearby.

Upstairs can get warm in a heatwave, which is worth planning around with a thick-coated dog. Otherwise there is very little to fault. Up to two dogs can stay, and with a 4.9/5 paw rating from 16 guests who travelled with theirs, Barley House suits larger groups and multi-generational parties who want a genuinely smart house where the dog is not an afterthought.