Chatsworth Stables, Chesterfield

Chatsworth Stables is a converted stable block on Newbold Road in Chesterfield, finished with more care than most self-catering lets of its size, and it arrives properly set up for a dog. Guests travelling with dogs report finding towels, treats and a water bowl already waiting, which is the sort of small thing that says the owners thought about it rather than simply ticked a box.

No pet fee, dog limit or weight restriction is published, so confirm what you need when you book. Parties bringing two dogs is common and causes no trouble.

The enclosed courtyard behind the property is the main outdoor space and it works for most dogs, but it is not fully dog-proof. More than one guest with a small dog has found a gap between the back fence and the building, and the gate bars are wide enough for a determined terrier to slip through. If your dog is small or an escaper, treat the yard as supervised space rather than a secure run.

The other thing to plan for is the road. Newbold Road is busy and the drive is tight, reversing in and out is awkward, and visibility onto the pavement is poor because of high fences on both sides. Several guests park across the road instead, which means crossing a busy road on foot with a dog in tow. A minute's walk gets you off the main road and onto grassy paths, but that first minute needs care. Soft mattresses come up repeatedly too, and a few guests have arrived to a musty smell that needed the windows open for a while.

Past all that, the position is good. A Co-op sits directly opposite, Holmebrook Valley Country Park is close enough for a proper morning walk, and Chatsworth Estate and the Peak District are easy short drives rather than expeditions. The interior is warm, modern and well equipped, with walking books and a welcome pack, and the hosts message to check everything is fine. Best suited to a couple or small family with a medium-sized, road-sensible dog using it as a base for the Peaks, and it earns a 4.7/5 paw rating.