Rowcroft Lodge Guest House B&B

Rowcroft Lodge is a small, family-run bed and breakfast a few streets back from Goodrington Sands, in the Goodrington area of Paignton. It sits directly opposite Youngs Park, so the first walk of the day starts almost at the front door, and the dog-friendly stretch of Goodrington beach is only a few minutes away on foot. For anyone planning a Devon coast break built around two daily walks, the location does a lot of the work.

Dogs are welcomed in two designated pet rooms finished with tile floors rather than carpet, which guests travelling with dogs consistently single out as a sensible touch after a sandy or muddy walk. The trade-off is that the tiles can feel cold underfoot, so packing slippers is worth doing if you visit outside the summer. Dogs of any size are accepted and there is no separate pet fee, which is unusual for a UK B&B, though the pet rooms number only two, so it pays to confirm availability well before you book.

The warmest and most repeated praise is for the hosts. Owners travelling with dogs mention treats waiting on arrival, dogs' names on the breakfast table, and plenty of local tips on where to walk and eat. The one recurring caveat concerns the lower, downstairs pet room: a couple of guests found the connecting hallway darker than expected, and one winter stay reported it feeling damp enough to want a dehumidifier running. If that matters to you, it is worth asking at booking which of the two pet rooms you will be given.

One practical point worth planning around: dogs are not allowed in the breakfast room, so the routine is to eat in your room or take the dog out during your breakfast slot. Rowcroft Lodge suits couples or small groups with one or two dogs who want a relaxed coastal base close to the park and beach, and who do not mind a room with hard floors.