April Cottage, Bacton

April Cottage sits a couple of minutes' walk from the sand at Bacton, on the quieter stretch of the north Norfolk coast, and it is the kind of place that treats a dog as part of the booking rather than an awkward extra. Guests travelling with dogs return to the same point again and again: the welcome basket waiting on arrival includes treats for the dog alongside the supplies for everyone else, and the tone is set from there.

The garden does most of the heavy lifting. It is large, fully enclosed and secure, which means a dog can be let out off the lead the moment you arrive - the detail dog owners mention most often, and the one that makes a self-catering cottage genuinely restful rather than a week of door-watching. There is a patio with a fire pit and a table, and enough space that dogs and children can share it without anyone getting under anyone's feet.

Bacton itself is quiet, which suits a dog-led holiday well. The beach is a few minutes on foot and opens out into long, clean stretches for morning walks, and the village keeps a shop, a cafe, a chip shop and a Chinese takeaway within easy reach, so a day can be built around walks rather than driving. Cromer, Wroxham and Great Yarmouth are all a comfortable drive away when you want more than the coast. The owners are easy to reach and quick to respond, and the cottage is well equipped and consistently described as spotless.

Two small caveats. This is an old cottage, so taller guests should expect to duck in the downstairs bathroom and will find leg room tight in the upstairs toilet. And Bacton is genuinely quiet - the appeal here is the beach and the garden, not an evening out. For dog owners who want a secure garden, a short walk to the sea and a village that stays calm, April Cottage earns its 4.6/5 paw rating.