Country Cottage, Bere Alston

Country Cottage sits on Cornwall Street in Bere Alston, a working village in the Tamar Valley on the West Devon side of the river, a short walk from the shops and a few miles from Tavistock. It is a compact, well-equipped cottage that guests with dogs rate highly, and its main appeal for dog owners is the location: village amenities on foot, and the valley's footpaths and the Tamar itself within easy reach for longer walks.

The welcome is a genuinely warm one. Guests describe a cottage that is clean, comfortable and thoughtfully set up, with biscuits and a note from the owners waiting on arrival, and the management team is easy to reach if anything is needed during the stay. The kitchen is well equipped and the main bedroom is comfortable, which makes it a workable base for a week rather than just a night or two.

The one thing to plan around is the outside space, and dog owners raise it repeatedly. The small area outside is not dog-proof: there are gaps at the bottom of the gate that a small dog can get through, and the access is shared with neighbouring properties with the gate frequently left open, so it leads onto the road rather than into a secure yard. Do not treat it as somewhere to let a dog out unsupervised, and keep a lead on for the walk to and from the door. Parking is the other practical constraint: it is limited, and the overflow option involves an uphill walk that will not suit everyone. Guests have also found the spot less quiet than expected, with dogs barking at a neighbouring property.

With a 4.5/5 paw rating, Country Cottage is a good pick for owners of a steady, well-behaved dog who are happy to supervise outdoor time and who want a village base for exploring the Tamar Valley. Owners of a small escape artist should look for somewhere with a properly secure garden instead.