The Cottage, near Marazion

The Cottage is a conversion of part of the old primary school on Church Hill in Ludgvan, a village in the hills above Mount's Bay a couple of miles from Marazion. It is let as a whole property with a garden, and the kitchen looks straight out to St Michael's Mount. One well behaved dog is welcome, and the owner goes further than most: they offer to sit with your dog so you can go out for the evening.

That dog-sitting offer is the thing owners talk about most. Guests describe a host who welcomes the dog as warmly as the humans, puts together a thoughtful welcome hamper, and will happily keep an eye on a dog while guests use the barrel sauna in the garden or head out to eat. The pub up the road takes dogs too, which makes an evening out simple. The cottage itself is quirky and simple rather than slick: comfortable bed, clean, peaceful, with the view doing a good deal of the work.

Two things temper it. One party lost the use of the garden partway through their week because a man working in a lean-to at the rear brought a dog that was not friendly with theirs and was around most days until early evening, so they walked their dogs around the village instead. It may well have been a one-off, but it is worth asking about if garden access is the reason you are booking. Separately, guests have flagged thin provisioning: one tea towel and two toilet rolls for a week, no microwave, and a few small fittings in need of attention.

It suits a couple travelling with one settled dog who want a characterful, peaceful west Cornwall base with a real welcome, a dog-friendly pub within walking distance and Mount's Bay on the doorstep. On that basis The Cottage earns a 4.2 out of 5 paw rating.