Rockley Park Private Holiday Homes

Rockley Park sits on the water at Hamworthy, on the quieter western side of Poole Harbour, and the private holiday homes let out here work for dog owners for one simple reason: each is a self-contained unit with its own door onto the outside. No shared corridors, no lift, no lobby to walk a muddy dog through.

The pet terms are now clear, and they are generous. Dogs stay free, on the understanding that nothing is damaged and no extra cleaning is needed afterwards. The booking detail that matters is that most, not all, of the holiday homes take dogs, so say when you book that a dog is coming rather than assuming it. Every home on the park is strictly non-smoking.

The park is built for outdoor days. The harbour shore is close by and the surrounding green space gives you somewhere for a first-thing walk without getting in the car, and the calmest stays tend to be in the corners away from the main facilities. One access quirk comes up from guests arriving with dogs: on some homes the gate at the top of the entrance steps swings against the door, which is fiddly to negotiate with a lead in one hand and bags in the other.

The honest caveat is that these homes are individually owned and individually let, so there is no single standard across the park. Reports swing from spotless and comfortable to units that needed a wipe-down on arrival, with dirty crockery, a poorly cleaned bathroom and a lingering smell strong enough to spoil a short break all appearing in guest feedback. Ask the owner about the specific home you are booking rather than the park as a whole. On-site eating is the other weak spot by common consent, so plan on cooking or heading into Poole.

Best suited to families who want a harbour-side base with a dog, are happy to self-cater, and will check the details of their particular home before committing.