Kits Cottage, Hythe

Kits Cottage sits high above Hythe with a view that runs across the town's rooftops and church tower to the Channel, and it is one of those small Kent boltholes that suits a dog holiday almost by accident of layout. The whole house is yours, there are no shared corridors, and a gate at the top of the terraced back garden opens straight onto Eaton Lands, the strip of open ground that guests travelling with dogs mention more than anything else about the place.

That gate is worth understanding before you book. Several dog owners have found it does not close or latch reliably, and one described the garden as fully enclosed but not secure once a determined dog took an interest. The garden is terraced and reached by wooden steps, and the approach to the cottage itself involves a steep flight. None of that stops it working for dogs, but it does mean the garden is a place to supervise rather than a place to leave a dog loose, and an older or less mobile dog will find the steps hard work.

Once you are out of that gate the walking is genuinely good. Eaton Lands is on the doorstep, the Royal Military Canal towpath and the seafront promenade are both a short stroll downhill, and the high street with its independent shops and cafes is about seven minutes on foot. Owners describe the cottage as spotless, warmly furnished and very well stocked, with a welcome pack waiting on arrival.

The property takes one well behaved dog, so this is a stay for single dogs and small households rather than multi-dog parties. Guests travelling with one dog rate it highly and a good number come back, which is how it earns its 4.7/5 paw rating. Best suited to couples or small families with one steady, reasonably agile dog who want sea views and canal walks without needing the car.