Endymion, Godshill

Endymion is a small brick-and-timber cabin deep in the New Forest at Linwood, down a mile of gravel track with no WiFi and no phone signal, and for a certain kind of dog owner that is exactly the point. Walks start at the front door and head straight into open forest, with ponies, deer and cattle wandering past the garden, and the High Corner Inn, a thoroughly dog-friendly pub, is under five minutes on foot. It earns a 4.4 out of 5 paw rating, a figure that reflects a genuine split in what guests report.

The pet side of the stay is well handled. The garden is enclosed, dog towels and poo bags are provided along with an outside hose for muddy paws, and guests describe settling into a routine of forest walks two or three times a day. The owners live next door and are consistently described as warm and helpful, though their own dogs like to wander over and visit, which delights some parties and is worth weighing if your dog prefers its own company.

The caveats are about the building rather than the welcome, and they recur. This is a deliberately rustic cabin, and several parties felt the upkeep had slipped below what the price justifies: a leaky shower and a broken freezer door have been reported across multiple years, along with rodent noise in the walls at night, mould, a lingering wet-dog smell and general cleanliness complaints, and more than one party has cut a stay short over it. Slug pellets have also been found in the garden despite the dog-friendly billing - they are toxic to dogs, so check the grass before letting yours roam.

Up to two pets can come, and it is worth confirming charges and house rules with the owners when you book. Pack for the approach too: the last mile is unmade gravel and guests advise a sturdy car.

Best suited to owners of easy-going dogs who want total immersion in the forest, take the word rustic seriously, and would trade a polished interior for walks, wildlife and a proper pub they can take the dog to.