Purcombe Farmhouse, near Bridport

Purcombe Farmhouse is a spacious, genuinely dog-welcoming farmhouse for a big group holiday in West Dorset, tucked into the Marshwood Vale near Bridport and only a couple of miles from the Jurassic Coast. It sleeps a crowd - up to twelve across six bedrooms - and takes up to three dogs at no extra charge, which makes it a rare find for extended families or groups who all want to bring a dog.

The big draw for dog owners is the garden: a large, lawned, largely enclosed space where dogs and children can let off steam, repeatedly singled out by guests as a highlight. It is a working farm, though, so the setting comes with a caveat worth taking seriously - there are chickens, cows and horses in the surrounding fields, and one guest noted the garden is secure enough to relax in but not completely sealed. Dogs that are calm around livestock will be in their element; those that are not will need closer supervision.

Inside, it is a characterful farmhouse with rustic charm and the home comforts you need for a large group, plus a hot tub for unwinding. The location is superb for walking - the Marshwood Vale and the South West Coast Path are on the doorstep, and the dog-friendly beaches of the Jurassic Coast at Charmouth and Seatown are a short drive away.

A couple of practical notes: there are a few steps in the garden, and as you would expect from a farmhouse for twelve, it suits a group rather than a couple. But for the right party, the combination of space, a three-dog allowance and that big garden is hard to beat.

Purcombe Farmhouse suits larger families or groups travelling with up to three dogs who want a roomy rural base with a big garden and the Dorset coast within reach - provided their dogs are happy around farm animals. On that basis it earns a 4.5/5 paw rating.