Bryn Bettws Log Cabins

Bryn Bettws Log Cabins sits above Pontrhydyfen in the Afan Valley, a wooded corner of Neath Port Talbot that has quietly become one of south Wales' better walking and mountain-biking areas. The cabins are self-catering and set apart from one another, each with its own decked terrace, firepit and barbecue, which makes them an easy fit for anyone who would rather not steer a dog through a shared corridor or a busy reception.

Dogs are welcome, and guests travelling with them come back to the same two points: the quiet and the walking. The site is peaceful enough that an unsettled dog gets its bearings quickly, and the forest trails and bike park start more or less at the door, so a proper walk needs no drive first. The outdoor space around each cabin earns a lot of mentions too, with the decking and grass giving dogs somewhere to sit out while their owners use the barbecue.

Inside, the cabins are equipped for a real self-catering stay, with an oven, microwave, kitchen kit, a good-sized bathroom and a television, and the hosts have a strong reputation for being friendly and for the food they serve on site. The valley views, particularly at sunset from the decking, come up again and again.

The one area that draws criticism is housekeeping. Guests have arrived to a cabin that had not been cleaned to standard, with grime in the kitchen cupboards, mould in the shower and no towels or cleaning supplies put out. It runs against an otherwise strong record rather than being the norm, but it is worth a look round on arrival and a call to the hosts if anything is wrong, particularly if you are travelling with a dog and want the floors clean.

Best suited to dog owners heading for the Afan Forest trails who want a quiet, self-contained base with its own outdoor space, and who are comfortable somewhere rural rather than serviced.