Ash Grove, Skipton

Ash Grove is a six-sleeper town house a few minutes' walk from the centre of Skipton, and its appeal for dog owners is simple: you can be on the canal towpath in about five minutes and in a large park not much longer, without ever needing the car. For a market-town base at the edge of the Dales, that is a strong start.

The house takes dogs without ceremony. There is a small garden at the front and a further garden behind, both of which guests with dogs use as somewhere to potter while waiting for the next walk, and dogs are welcome through the house rather than confined to one room. The interior suits muddy paws better than a hotel would, being warm, comfortable and unfussy rather than precious about its furnishings.

Two things need saying before you book. The rear garden is missing a gate, so the grounds are not secure; a dog that will not stay put needs to be on a lead outside, and the same goes for toddlers. Parking is genuinely awkward as well. The designated space sits up a narrow cobbled alley behind the house, and guests with larger cars describe getting back out as a squeeze, particularly in bad weather. If you drive something big, plan for street parking instead.

Beyond that, the usual holiday-let caveats apply. There is one toilet for six people, which groups notice, and the property takes a single dog rather than two, so a household travelling with a pair needs to ask first. No charge is published, so confirm that when you book. With a 4.5/5 paw rating, Ash Grove suits a group or family who want walks from the door, a warm house to come back to, and a town centre close enough to leave the car where it is.