1 The Old Chapel, Pool in Wharfedale

1 The Old Chapel is a converted chapel on Mill Lane in Pool in Wharfedale, the village on the River Wharfe between Otley and north Leeds, and it suits dog owners who have come for the walking rather than for on-site facilities. The whole house is let to one party, so there are no shared corridors or lobbies to negotiate and a dog has the run of the place from the moment you arrive.

Dogs are welcome, and the walking is the reason to book. Guests travelling with dogs pick out the routes that start at the door, with Lower Wharfedale riverside paths and the Chevin above Otley both close enough for a circuit before breakfast. The house itself draws consistent praise for how clean it is, and the owners leave a note, biscuits, milk and a coffee machine ready, which counts for something after a long drive with a car full of dog.

The garden is the thing to know about before booking. There is outdoor space, but it is not enclosed, and dog owners who have stayed flag the lack of secure fencing as a genuine worry - the plot is too open to let a dog off the lead for a quick turnout, and that was enough to spoil the stay for guests who had booked expecting somewhere secluded. Plan on lead time outside instead. Guests also mention a large piece of electrical infrastructure standing in front of the property, and there is no downstairs loo.

At 4.0/5, this is a good fit for owners of steady, recall-reliable dogs who want a spotless, well-stocked base for walking Wharfedale and the southern Dales. Anyone whose dog needs a fenced garden to make a stay work should look for a property that advertises enclosed outdoor space, because this one does not have it.