Bwthyn Bach, Dyffryn Ardudwy

Bwthyn Bach is a small barn-conversion cottage a few minutes' walk from the beach at Dyffryn Ardudwy, and it has built a steady following among couples and families bringing a dog to the Gwynedd coast.

The cottage takes one well-behaved dog per booking, up to 25 kg, so it suits single-dog households rather than groups travelling with a pack. Being let as an entire house means no shared corridors or communal areas to negotiate, and dogs tend to settle quickly. Guests travelling with dogs regularly mention a thoughtful welcome, with a dog treat left alongside the usual welcome pack.

Location is where it earns its rating. A sandy beach is roughly five minutes away on foot and the coastal footpath runs in both directions for longer walks through fields and along the shore, with dogs described splashing and running on long open stretches of sand. There is a pub within walking distance, and Snowdonia, Barmouth and Porthmadog are all a short drive for days out.

Two things are worth knowing before booking. Dogs should not be left unattended in the cottage, and guests have found this is not flagged at the time of booking, which rules out evenings out without the dog unless you plan for dog-friendly pubs or eat in. Cleanliness is the other recurring note: a dog urine stain on the bedroom carpet has been reported by separate guests over more than one stay, and reviews also mention dust and the three barns generally looking tired and due a deep clean. Cleaning supplies in the cottage are limited, so bring your own.

The cottage also sits on the edge of a large caravan and campsite village. Most guests say they barely notice it once inside, thanks to planted dividers and a private seating area, though an adjacent field used for caravan storage has spoiled the view for some. Overall it suits a couple or small family with one dog who want a quiet self-catering base within walking distance of a dog-friendly beach, and who are happy to keep the dog with them in the evenings.