Antelope by Greene King Inns

The Antelope is a traditional pub with rooms on Poole's High Street, a couple of minutes' walk from the quay, and it makes a simple, good-value base for a weekend by the harbour with a dog. It is an old coaching inn run by Greene King Inns, with a bar and restaurant downstairs serving dinner and breakfast, and the harbourside is right on the doorstep for easy on-lead walks morning and evening.

The dog policy is refreshingly simple. Up to two dogs of any size can stay, and the pet charge is £10 for the whole stay rather than per night, which makes a two- or three-night break noticeably cheaper than at most dog-friendly hotels. Cats are not accepted, and pets cannot be left alone in the room, so it is worth asking the team which parts of the pub your dog can join you in before you settle in for dinner.

Guests travelling with dogs describe the staff as friendly and helpful, and say dogs are made genuinely welcome, rooms included. The central location is rated highly, with shops, the quay and the harbour all within a short stroll. A friendly local fox has been known to wander past outside, which is worth knowing if your dog is quick to react.

The trade-offs come with the building. Rooms are on the dated side, with older furnishings and the odd quirk you would expect from a historic inn, and breakfast gets mixed reviews. Because it is a working pub, some guests without pets are surprised to find dogs about, so the atmosphere is relaxed rather than hushed. Poole's beaches also have seasonal dog restrictions, so check the rules before heading for the sand in summer.

The Antelope earns a 4.5/5 paw rating. It suits owners of one or two dogs who want a no-fuss, central Poole base close to the quay and value a flat pet fee over polished decor.