Shallows Lodge, Lymington

Shallows Lodge is a six-sleeper house tucked into the lanes at Boldre, a couple of miles north of Lymington, and it is set up for dogs rather than merely tolerant of them. The garden is enclosed and given over to guests, with a barbecue and room for dogs to be off the lead, and guests consistently describe feeling their dogs were safe both in the house and around the grounds.

The welcome is a genuine part of the appeal. Guests have arrived to find flowers and a bottle waiting, and the owners come across as warm, quick to answer questions and generous with local advice. The house itself is well furnished and spotless, with good linen, a well equipped kitchen and plenty of information left out. Two of the bedrooms are on the ground floor, which suits anyone who would rather not take a dog up and down stairs at bedtime.

Guests travelling with dogs have mentioned that no extra pet cleaning charge was added to their stay. That is worth confirming when you book, but it makes the lodge good value for a group bringing dogs. There is a dog-walking lane immediately beside the property and a pub within strolling distance. Lymington is a short drive for the quay and the ferry, Brockenhurst is closer still, and Beaulieu Heath puts open forest walking within a few minutes.

The caveats are practical ones. The lane outside is busier than a country lane looks and has no pavement, so walking dogs from the front door means keeping them close and staying alert - several groups ended up driving to their walks instead. Inside, the stairs to the first floor are steep with shallow treads, and the main living room and bathroom are up them, which is awkward for anyone with mobility problems. The kitchen and dining area is on the snug side, and the upstairs-living layout takes a little getting used to.

Best suited to a family or group of friends bringing dogs to the New Forest who want space, a secure garden and a proper base rather than a room. It earns a 4.6/5 paw rating.