The Old Smithy, Beaminster

The Old Smithy is a comfortable, very well-equipped cottage in the Dorset countryside near Beaminster, and it works best for dog owners who are happy to keep a close eye on the lead. Guests consistently praise how well stocked and homely it is - the kind of place that has thought of everything from board games to spare light bulbs - and it sits within easy reach of the coast, dog-friendly beaches, and cafes and pubs that welcome dogs.

For walking, the position is genuinely good: there are public footpaths on either side of the road, a field directly behind the cottage that dogs can enjoy for extra runs, and the wider countryside and coastal path close by. There is also a small fenced area outside where you can sit with a dog.

The important caveat to understand before booking is security. The driveway is shared with a neighbour, which means the gates cannot always be kept closed, and the cottage sits on a country lane that can get busy with traffic. Owners of dogs that bolt, or that cannot be trusted off-lead near a road, should factor this in and keep dogs leashed around the property. The surrounding land is also grazed, so livestock is another reason to keep close control on walks.

Dogs are welcome, with one well-behaved dog noted per booking; it is worth confirming any pet charges directly when you book. On the house itself, most guests are very happy, though the odd visitor has found the decor and soft furnishings dated - a fair expectation-setter rather than a dealbreaker.

It suits dog owners who want a well-equipped Dorset base with good walking on the doorstep and a dog-friendly coast nearby, and who are comfortable managing a lead around a shared, open driveway rather than relying on a fully enclosed garden.