3 Bedroom House near Windsor, Bracknell

This three-bedroom house on a quiet residential close in Bracknell is the kind of self-catering base that suits a family travelling with a dog. The whole property is yours, so there are no shared corridors, no lift journeys and no lobby to steer a lead through, and the door you walk out of is your own.

Guests who have brought dogs point to two things. The first is the enclosed back garden, which means a dog can be let out first thing without anyone getting dressed for a walk. The second is the walking itself - the surrounding streets and green space give you a proper circuit starting almost at the doorstep, rather than a drive to somewhere worth walking. The kitchen is well equipped for a self-catering week, and the sleeping arrangements are flexible enough to absorb an extra person or two.

Windsor Great Park, Ascot and the forest and heathland around Bracknell are all a short drive away, and Legoland is close enough that families use the house as a base for it. For a dog owner the open ground counts for a good deal more than the town centre does.

It is worth knowing what the house cannot control. Two things have come up: dogs barking through the night in a neighbouring property, and an audible argument next door. That is ordinary residential-street noise, but a light sleeper or an anxious dog may notice it. The nightly rate has also been called high for what is a comfortable rather than luxurious suburban house. Nothing on the property's booking listing sets out a pet fee, a size limit or a cap on the number of dogs, so agree those with the owners before you book, particularly if you are bringing more than one.

Best suited to a family or couple who want a garden, a front door of their own and a base for Windsor and Ascot rather than hotel service. It earns a 4.5/5 paw rating.