Seascape, Hope Cove

Seascape is a single-storey holiday bungalow a short walk from Hope Cove, on the stretch of South Devon coast where the South West Coast Path runs along the cliffs above the village. It suits dogs for the obvious reason - the cove, the beaches and miles of coast path start almost at the door - and the house itself is set up for the sandy, salty end of a walk rather than against it.

The outdoor space is the thing to understand before booking. Earlier stays describe the rear garden as an open strip of lawn with nothing to stop a dog wandering off, and at least one visiting Labrador found the gap. Later stays describe a secure rear garden that works well for a dog, so the enclosure has evidently been done since - if a fenced garden is the reason you are booking, confirm the current arrangement with the owner. The front terrace, where the view over the cove is, remains open to the lane, and guests with dogs have suggested gates at either side so a dog could move between house and terrace freely.

Inside, the bungalow is well equipped and comfortable, with an oversized hatch linking the kitchen to the lounge and the best of the views from the front. Four is the comfortable number; six is a squeeze with one bathroom. The practical gripes are ordinary holiday-let ones - limited freezer space, a kitchen door that gets in the way, a couple of tired mattresses.

Hope Cove itself has a shop within walking distance for a morning paper and milk, and the walking is the main event: the coast path in both directions, Thurlestone and Bantham within easy reach, and Salcombe about four miles away. Seascape earns a 4.6/5 paw rating, and it suits a family or a couple with a dog who want coast-path walking on the doorstep and are content to keep the dog on a lead around the front terrace.