Belvedere Lodge, Swanage

Belvedere Lodge sits right in the middle of Swanage, a Dorset seaside town wrapped by the Isle of Purbeck coast path and a sandy town beach. It is a self-catering apartment rather than a hotel, so there are no shared corridors or lobbies to navigate with a dog, and you have the run of the place for the length of your stay.

Pet feedback here is thin. Only one guest travelling with a dog has reviewed the property so far, so the dog-friendly signal is encouraging rather than proven, and it is worth asking the owners the questions you would normally expect reviews to answer. That review is a positive one, describing a welcome pack with something in it for the dog alongside milk in the fridge, which suggests four-legged visitors are expected rather than merely tolerated.

The wider picture supports it. Because the whole apartment is yours, separate bedrooms and easy-clean surfaces make it simple to settle a dog in and tidy up after muddy coast-path walks. Guests rate the apartment as spotless and well equipped, and it is a short stroll from the beach, the town's shops and cafes, and some of the best walking on the Purbeck coast, so a dog does not have to travel far to stretch its legs. Off-street parking makes arriving and unloading straightforward.

Two caveats before you book. Up to two pets can stay, but the listing gives no pet fee, so confirm any charge with the owners. Guests have also noted building work at a neighbouring property affecting the outdoor space at times, which is worth checking if room outside for a dog matters to you.

Belvedere Lodge suits couples and small groups who want a smart, central self-catering base in Swanage and value having their own private space to bring a dog along.