Driftwood Lodge, Clovelly

Driftwood Lodge is a beach-themed chalet on a holiday park at Bucks Cross, on the Bideford Bay coast a few miles east of Clovelly. The setting is what dog owners come for: a coastal trail runs off through woodland from the park, the views over the bay are the first thing most guests mention, and the chalet is described by guests with dogs as a safe, easy environment rather than one they had to manage. The walks start at the park rather than at the end of a drive.

The chalet itself is compact but properly fitted out, with a full kitchen, comfortable beds, bunks that suit children and a welcome pack that has run to fresh bread, eggs and juice. It warms up quickly, which matters out of season. Dogs are taken as a matter of course here rather than treated as an exception, and guests report them settling well.

The caveats are real and worth reading before booking. Winter stays bring condensation, with curtains and duvets feeling damp after a day out and a slight damp smell that clears once the windows are open. The shower is compact and can be hard to hold at a steady temperature, wifi and mobile signal are patchy, and not every chalet has outdoor seating. Cleanliness has been a serious problem for some parties too: one booking was abandoned after a single night over mould and mildew, an unclean kitchen, dog hair left behind from previous guests and a suspected electrical fault. That sits well outside the run of feedback, but it is the failure mode to check for on arrival.

One planning note. The holiday park's facilities run seasonally, from March to November, so an out-of-season booking gets you the chalet and the coast path rather than the park amenities. Best suited to dog owners after a quiet North Devon coastal base with walking from the door, booking primarily for the outdoors. It earns a 4.3/5 paw rating.