Teal, Watchfield

Teal is a cosy single-storey holiday cottage on New Fox Farm, near the small hamlet of Watchfield in Somerset, a few miles inland from Burnham-on-Sea. It is one of three self-catering cottages set around a quiet working farm, so guests get a peaceful rural base with open countryside on the doorstep rather than a hotel with shared corridors - an arrangement that suits dogs particularly well.

The feature that dog owners return to again and again is the paddock. There is a field right outside the cottage where a dog can run and burn off energy the moment you arrive, which is exactly the kind of easy, on-tap exercise that makes a self-catering break with a pet relaxed rather than logistical. Guests travelling with dogs describe their pets as visibly happy here, with the freedom of the grounds a recurring highlight, from Labradors enjoying the run of the paddock to smaller dogs pottering safely close to the door.

The owners, a couple who live on-site, are the other reason people rebook. Visitors consistently describe a warm welcome, helpful hosts who are around when needed, and a spotless, well-equipped cottage that feels like a genuine home from home. The single-storey layout is a quiet bonus for older or less mobile dogs, and the setting is calm and unhurried throughout.

For days out, the location does a lot of work: it sits just off the M5, making it an easy touring base for Cheddar, Wells, Glastonbury and the wider Somerset Levels, with the dog-friendly sands at nearby Berrow within a short drive. One small thing to plan around is that at least one local pub limits where dogs can go if you are eating, so it is worth checking ahead for dog-friendly food stops. Teal is best suited to couples and small families travelling with one well-behaved dog who want a quiet, comfortable countryside base with effortless dog walking and plenty of Somerset to explore.