Family Escape, Round Berry Drive, Salcombe

Family Escape is a whole-house rental on Round Berry Drive, set above Salcombe with views out over the water from the lounge. For a dog it covers the three things that are hardest to find in Salcombe at once: a proper garden, off-street parking, and a whole property to yourselves rather than a room in a shared building.

The parking matters more than it sounds. Salcombe's streets are tight and busy through the season, and having somewhere to leave the car means walks start on foot rather than with a drive and a hunt for a space. The garden is well kept with outdoor furniture, and the house is spacious enough for a group of four plus a dog without anyone falling over each other. Guests consistently describe it as beautifully decorated and thoroughly equipped, with comfortable beds, good showers and a welcome hamper on arrival, and the management as quick to respond when something needs sorting.

The property has not published a pet fee, weight limit or breed restrictions, so confirm those with the management company at the point of booking.

Two things to plan for. The house sits above the town, so the walk into the village core is downhill on the way in and a climb on the way back, and there are steps involved in reaching the property, which is worth thinking about with an older or arthritic dog as much as with a person. Guests also mention the usual small self-catering snags on arrival, such as a fridge not running properly or a smoke alarm needing a battery, though these tend to be dealt with quickly.

From the door it is a walk down into Salcombe for the shops, the harbour and a good number of places that take dogs, with the South West Coast Path and the South Hams beaches close by for longer outings. Best suited to a group of up to four or a family with one dog who want a quiet Salcombe base with a garden, parking and views, and who do not mind the hill.