Oyster Cottage, Cockwood

Oyster Cottage is a whole cottage on Cofton Hill in Cockwood, a small Devon village on the Exe estuary between Starcross and Dawlish Warren, and it is a strong choice for dog owners for two reasons: you get the entire house, and there is a small enclosed courtyard at the back. That yard does the unglamorous work of letting a dog out last thing without a lead, and giving you somewhere to towel off a wet one after the beach.

The village setting is the other half of it. The Anchor Inn is around the corner, welcomes dogs and does good beer and food, which matters when the alternative is leaving a dog alone in an unfamiliar house. Dawlish Warren and the spit are about fifteen minutes on foot for long open walks, and the estuary path gives shorter, sheltered options for a wet morning. The train to Exeter and the Exmouth ferry are a similar walk, so the car can stay put once you arrive.

Inside, the cottage keeps its original character alongside central heating you can actually set to a timer, and the owner leaves milk and biscuits ready for arrival. Check-in is self-service by key box with clear directions sent ahead. For a small group with a couple of dogs, the value is hard to argue with.

Two things need saying plainly. Cleaning is the recurring complaint: dust and forgotten oddments under the furniture, mildew on the bathroom tiling and the bottom of the living room curtains, and a vacuum found full with no spare bags. Owners notice this more than most guests do, because a dog will find whatever is under the sofa. The stairs are the second point - steep, winding and painted in gloss, so they are slippery, and both beds have footboards. A confident dog will manage them; an older or unsteady one may need carrying.

At 4.5/5, this suits owners who want an estuary village with a dog-friendly pub around the corner and beach walks reachable on foot, and who will not be put off by running the hoover round when they arrive.