River Cottage, East Stoke

River Cottage is a traditional house in large wooded gardens at Holme Bridge, on the River Frome in East Stoke, a quiet corner of Purbeck between Wool and Wareham. It is roomy, comfortably old-fashioned and full of the owners' books and pictures, with a log burner and a games cupboard, and it makes a good base for walking, the Purbeck nature reserves and the Dorset coast. Dogs are part of the routine here, and the evening walk up the lane is a favourite. It earns a 4.4/5 paw rating.

Pets are allowed on request, so confirm when you book rather than turning up with one. The important thing to understand is that the garden is not enclosed. Guests raise this repeatedly: the front gate does not shut properly and there are gaps in the hedge, so a dog that wanders will need to be on a lead outside. A steady dog that stays close will be fine; a bolter will not.

The other thing worth knowing is noise. The house is close to the Ministry of Defence ranges around Bovington and Lulworth, and live firing carries. It has been loud enough late in the evening to badly frighten a dog staying at the cottage. Firing times are published in advance, so check them before you travel if your dog is sound-sensitive. A road and a railway line also run nearby, though most guests find neither intrusive.

The house shows its age in places. Guests describe it as a little tired and musty and the garden as needing attention, and there is a blind spot pulling out of the drive onto the main road.

Best suited to a group with steady, lead-walked dogs who want space, character and quiet lanes, and who are not looking for a sealed garden or a recently refurbished cottage.