Dukes Inn

Dukes Inn sits on The Esplanade in Sidmouth, a sea-view inn with a bar, restaurant and rooms upstairs, and it is the sort of place where a dog fits straight into the routine. Dogs can join you in the bar and out on the sea-facing patio for meals and drinks, so there is no need to leave anyone behind in the room while you eat.

Up to two well-behaved, house-trained dogs can stay per room, at £10 per dog, per night. Only certain rooms take dogs, so mention your dog before you book rather than on arrival, as late requests may not be possible. The hotel does not supply dog food, so bring what your dog needs.

Guests travelling with dogs are consistently warm about the staff. The welcome usually includes a dog bed and treats in the room, and owners describe a team that goes out of its way for four-legged guests rather than simply putting up with them. Breakfast and dinner both come in for regular praise.

The location is the other big draw. The promenade is right outside, the South West Coast Path climbs away from town in both directions, and the Byes, the riverside parkland along the River Sid, gives a shadier inland walk on hot days. Sidmouth's main beaches have seasonal dog restrictions, so check the current rules for your dates.

There are a couple of trade-offs. Rooms are on the compact side, which owners notice once a dog bed is down on the floor, and seafront rooms sit above the outdoor seating area, so late-evening noise can carry. Some mattresses are due for replacement.

For dog owners who want a friendly seafront base in Sidmouth with good food and a dog-welcoming bar, Dukes Inn is an easy choice and earns its 4.6/5 paw rating.