Holly's Lodge, Wellington

Holly's Lodge is a self-contained lodge on a small farm at Wellington, about ten minutes' drive north of Hereford, and it has quietly become a base for a particular kind of dog owner: people bringing a dog to a specialist veterinary clinic nearby. Guests travelling for their dog's surgery describe owners who flexed check-in around appointments and let them settle in early while they waited, which is not something most self-catering lets will do.

For ordinary holidays it works on its own merits. The grounds are enclosed and there is space to walk a dog on site, including water for dogs that like to swim, so the first and last walk of the day need not involve the car. The lodge is comfortable, spotlessly kept and set above the farm buildings with a view out, and it comes with the small touches - milk in the fridge, a well-stocked kitchen - that make a short stay easy. There is a gym on site too.

The owners live on the property with their own dogs, and guests mention meeting them as a highlight rather than a complication. It is worth knowing if your dog is reactive to other dogs, though: this is a working smallholding, not a sterile rental, and there are animals about. Hereford is a short drive for restaurants and shops, and there are local walks in every direction, so the lodge suits both a touring base and a stay-put weekend.

Two practical points. The lodge sits up high, which is part of its charm but made it warm during a spell of unusually hot weather, so bring a fan if you are visiting in a heatwave with a dog. The courtyard outside is tidy but plainer than the lodge itself. The booking listing publishes no pet fee or limit on numbers, though parties with three dogs have been accommodated, so ask directly if you are travelling with more than one.

Best suited to: dog owners who want an enclosed, low-stress base near Hereford - and particularly anyone travelling for veterinary treatment who needs hosts willing to work around an appointment.