Barnett Hill, Guildford

Barnett Hill is a country house hotel on Blackheath Lane, just outside Guildford, and it is a relaxed place to bring a well-behaved small or medium dog. The appeal is the setting: a handsome old main building surrounded by gardens, in quiet countryside where the loudest thing is usually the birdsong. Guests travelling with dogs describe it as genuinely dog friendly rather than merely tolerant, and several say they would happily come back.

The practical side is simple. Dogs stay for a flat charge per room per night, and some owners mention finding a dog bed and bowls waiting in the room. That is not universal, though: one guest found nothing laid out for their dog at all, so it is worth asking at booking. Not every room type takes dogs either. A guest who had booked one of the smallest doubles was told it was not dog friendly and had to pay to move up a category, and still found the dog room smaller than the rest of their party's. Check which rooms are available to dogs before you book.

Staff are generally described as friendly, and dog owners speak warmly about the welcome. The weak spot, mentioned by dog owners and other guests alike, is staffing levels: waits at reception and the bar come up more than once. Dogs are allowed in the bar, which suits owners who want an evening drink with their dog at their feet. The restaurant and the full English breakfast both get good words, and the terrace is a pleasant spot on a warm day.

For walks, the grounds are the obvious draw, and plenty of space and easy parking make arriving with a dog straightforward. One owner noted that the garden paths furthest from the house had become overgrown and could not be walked with a dog, so expect the tidier lawns to be your main exercise area unless you head out into the surrounding countryside.

Some rooms are on the compact side and a few guests felt theirs was due a refresh. For a quiet countryside night near Guildford with a smaller dog, where you value grounds and a dog-friendly bar over polished service, it is a good choice.