Anvil Barn, Bainbridge

Anvil Barn sits right in the middle of Bainbridge, one of the prettiest villages in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, and its appeal for a dog owner is almost entirely about what is outside the front door rather than behind it. The huge village green is a few steps away, footpaths leave the village in every direction, and Askrigg and Aysgarth are both walkable, so a week here can be spent almost entirely on foot.

One well-behaved dog is welcome. The barn is a conversion with an upside-down layout, living space above and bedrooms below, and it is clean, well equipped and warm, with parking included, which is worth more than it sounds in a Dales village.

The thing to be clear about before booking is that there is no garden. Not a small one: none at all. Every trip out, including the last one at night, means putting a lead on and walking up the road. Owners split fairly evenly on how much this matters, between those who found the village green close enough that it made no odds and those who would rather have had somewhere enclosed. There is also nowhere to sit outside, which is a genuine loss on a warm evening and more of a problem than usual if a dog is injured or elderly and cannot manage a proper walk. That combination has left guests feeling penned in for a week.

A couple of smaller things recur in feedback: the double mattress has sunk and needs replacing, and a small external door in the main bedroom lets a draught through in cold weather. There is no WiFi in the barn and mobile coverage in the village is poor, which some people will count as a feature and others should plan around. The village pub, the Rose and Crown, is friendly and does decent food, and there is a small bakery and cafe as well.

At 4.7/5 for paws, Anvil Barn is a strong pick for one steady dog whose owners intend to walk it several times a day anyway. It is the wrong choice for anyone who needs enclosed outdoor space, a garden to sit in, or somewhere to let a dog out quickly without getting dressed first.