Bohemian Retreat by the Sea, Margate

Bohemian Retreat is a flat in a restored Victorian townhouse in Cliftonville, a few minutes' walk from Margate seafront, and it has been put back together with real care: wood burner, roll-top bath, books on the shelves and a garden at the back. Dogs are welcome, and guests who have brought them describe settling in straight away, with the flat reading as a home from home rather than a rental that merely permits pets.

The interior is what people rate most. The bathroom is a genuine feature, the bed draws consistent praise, and the period detail has survived the restoration instead of being stripped out. There is a garden with a table and chairs, a friendly neighbour in the flat below, and in warm weather the sea breeze through the open windows does the work of air conditioning. In winter, the wood burner is the obvious draw for anyone coming back damp from a beach walk.

Cliftonville puts you within an easy walk of Margate's beach, the town and the tidal pool, and the promenade makes a straightforward morning circuit with a dog. Guests with dogs have picked out Dumpton Gap, a short drive along the coast, as the best nearby beach for letting dogs run freely.

Two caveats matter here. Several guests have found the back garden fouled by neighbourhood cats, the gravel area in particular, so it is worth checking before letting a dog out unsupervised; a few have also found the garden generally untidy on arrival. The street outside is scruffier than the flat, with rubbish around the entrance that does not reflect what is inside. The booking listing publishes no pet charge or limit on numbers, so agree those in advance. Neither issue changes the fundamentals: for a couple or small group taking a dog to Margate and wanting somewhere with character, this earns its 4.5/5 paw rating.