Y Bwthyn, Brynsiencyn

Y Bwthyn is a barn conversion on a small working farm outside Brynsiencyn, on the southern side of Anglesey, and the secure garden is the reason dog owners keep coming back to it. The garden is fully fenced, big enough for a couple of dogs to stretch out in, and it looks over the fields towards the mainland mountains. Up to two dogs can stay, and the owners, who live across the farmyard, usually leave biscuits or treats for them alongside the welcome hamper of eggs, honey and homemade cake.

The farm itself is part of the appeal. Welsh mountain sheep, hens, ducks and wild rabbits share the surrounding fields, cows come to the fence in the evening, and the resident dogs generally get along with visiting ones. After the garden, the feature guests with dogs mention most is the boot room: it holds the washing machine and dryer and gives you somewhere to leave wet towels and muddy kit rather than trailing it through the barn. Underfloor heating and a log burner keep the place warm out of season.

Newborough beach and forest, about ten minutes away, take the bulk of the dog walking, with miles of forest track and a long stretch of sand. Beyond that the position works as an easy base for the rest of Anglesey and for Bangor, Caernarfon and Snowdonia.

Two caveats are worth knowing. The fit-out is comfortable rather than luxurious, and the sofas come up repeatedly as its weak point. Housekeeping earns most of the praise here but not all of it: the cleaning has been described as patchy, with kitchen surfaces and drawers missed, a tumble dryer out of action for a week and no washing line in the garden. Y Bwthyn suits dog owners who want a genuinely secure garden and a forest-and-beach walk close by, and who are not looking for a boutique finish.