Churchwood Valley, Wembury

Churchwood Valley is a scatter of timber cabins tucked into a wooded valley running down towards Wembury Bay on Devon's south coast, and for many dog owners the setting is the whole point: plots screened by trees and shrubs, wildlife on the doorstep and the coast path within a short walk. It earns a 4.4/5 paw rating, with most dog-stay reports warmly positive about how easy the site is with a dog in tow.

The practical extras stand out. A private dog field nearby can be booked by the day for a small fee - mentioned as a real highlight for dogs that need a proper off-lead run - and there is a stream where dogs happily splash about. Staff draw praise for going out of their way, including helping one party rig a gate to keep an escape-minded dog contained, and the tree-screened plots give bigger dogs breathing room that a formal park rarely offers.

A few things are worth knowing before you book. The plots and garden spaces are not reliably dog-proof, so an escape artist needs watching, and there are cats about. Wembury beach, the nearest, does not allow dogs in summer, so seasonal visitors should plan a short drive to a year-round dog beach. The terrain is genuinely steep, with single-track lanes in and out. A couple of less happy reports concern the shared spaces rather than the welcome: dog mess left on walkways by other guests, and one cabin that had not been fully cleared of a previous dog's hair. The cabins themselves are simple self-catering, so bring your own towels - and a dog bowl from home.

For owners who want quiet woodland, a bookable field and the coast path from the door, and who are relaxed about rustic edges, Churchwood Valley is a natural fit. Those after manicured facilities or secure gardens should look elsewhere.