Ysgubor Isaf, Newcastle Emlyn

Ysgubor Isaf is a spacious farm cottage near Newcastle Emlyn that works well for a group holidaying with a dog in the green heart of Ceredigion. It sits on a working livestock farm in the hamlet of Brongest, sleeps eight across four bedrooms, and gives a visiting dog the run of a whole house rather than a shared building, which is handy when you are travelling with both a dog and a crowd.

Dogs are genuinely part of the plan here. One well-behaved dog is welcome by prior arrangement, and guests who have stayed with a dog speak warmly about how easily it fitted in, including one larger dog that settled in happily alongside a big family group. The rear patio is enclosed, which gives you a secure spot right by the cottage, and there is off-road parking so arrivals and departures are low-stress.

Because this is a real farm with livestock nearby, the owners ask that dogs stay on a lead whenever they are outdoors. That is sensible countryside etiquette rather than a red flag, but it does mean the cottage suits a dog that is content on the lead and calm around sheep and cattle, rather than one that needs wide-open off-lead running from the doorstep. Plenty of proper walking is close by, with the Cardiganshire coast only about ten miles away.

One thing to weigh up before booking: the dog fee here has been on the higher side, and at least one guest felt it was steep compared with other cottages. Fees change over time, so check the current amount when you book so it is not a surprise. Only one dog can stay, so this is not the place for a multi-dog household.

Best suited to a family or group with a single, lead-trained dog who want a spacious rural base in West Wales and do not mind a farm setting with animals close by.