The Old Post Office, Lower Bockhampton

The Old Post Office is a Grade II listed thatched cottage in the little hamlet of Lower Bockhampton, a few minutes from Dorchester and surrounded by the Dorset countryside that Thomas Hardy wrote about. For dog owners it is first and foremost a walking base: a footpath leads from close to the door through the woods towards Hardy's Cottage at Higher Bockhampton, with the River Frome, Puddletown Forest and miles of quiet lanes all within easy reach. Guests travelling with a dog return again and again to the walking as the highlight.

The cottage takes one dog, and the welcome is genuine - visitors describe happy stays with their dogs, plenty of space inside, and thoughtful touches on arrival. It suits a single, settled dog and owners who want character, quiet and good walking rather than resort-style facilities.

Two honest caveats are worth weighing before you book. Several guests have flagged that the garden is not fully enclosed and a determined dog can reach the road, so outdoor time needs supervising rather than leaving a dog to roam. And while dogs are welcome, one visitor found the indoor arrangements more restrictive than expected, with the dog kept to the kitchen rather than the living areas or upstairs - it is worth confirming exactly where your dog can go inside when you book, particularly if your dog is used to sharing the sofa.

Overall the Old Post Office earns a 3.5/5 paw rating: a characterful, dog-welcoming cottage in beautiful walking country, let down slightly by an unsecured garden and some indoor limits that not every owner will expect. For owners with one calm dog who plan to be out walking most of the day, it makes a lovely Dorset base.