Wyke Cowsheds, Gillingham

Wyke Cowsheds is a converted barn for two on a smallholding outside Gillingham in north Dorset, and the appeal for dog owners is mostly what is outside the door. The grounds run to an orchard and a made walk through trees and sculptures, the meadow beyond has deer in it, and guests describe dogs simply being let out to explore rather than led anywhere. It is a single self-contained building, so there is nothing to share and nobody to disturb.

Dogs are clearly a normal part of the booking here rather than an exception. Guests travelling with them describe hosts who make a fuss of the dog on arrival, open land immediately behind the barn for it to roam, and a stay where the dog was as relaxed as the people. Several describe it as the first break they took with a new puppy, which says something about how forgiving the setup is.

The barn itself gets consistently high marks for how well it is put together, from the compact kitchen built into a cupboard to the bed and the small welcome touches, and the hosts are the other thing guests keep raising, with recommendations offered before arrival and help during the stay. There are alpacas and the hosts' own dogs on the smallholding, which most guests treat as part of the charm but which is worth knowing if your dog is reactive to other animals.

Two practical notes. The kitchen is genuinely small and there is no full oven, so this is a barbecue-and-pub stay rather than a cook-a-roast one. And being deep in the countryside means flies and insects in warm weather. Stourhead is close enough for a morning out, and there is good walking straight from the property.

Best suited to a couple with one or two dogs who want space and quiet rather than facilities, and who like the idea of the dog having the run of a field. It earns a 4.8/5 paw rating.