Engine House, Bridford

Engine House sits in woodland on the site of an old quarry above Bridford, deep in Devon's Teign Valley, and it is about as private as self-catering gets. The track in is single-vehicle and the nearest neighbour is a long way off, which means a dog can be let out into the lawned garden without an audience and the walking starts at the front door rather than after a drive. Owners travelling with dogs consistently rate the seclusion as the best thing about the place.

The welcome is a considered one. Arrivals find a dog bed and blankets put out alongside the treats, and that spare bed for the dog comes up again and again from guests with pets. The cottage is warm, well equipped and comfortable, with a stocked kitchen, plenty of blankets and a shelf of books, games and DVDs for the evenings, and it stays cool inside on hot days.

Two things need real thought before booking. There is a steep slope below the garden, which the property flags in its own description and dog owners echo: a dog that bolts or climbs needs supervising outside, and several parties simply used a training lead in the garden. The setting is also alive with deer, squirrels and jays, so a dog with a strong chase instinct will find plenty to fixate on.

The other caveats are the ordinary costs of remoteness. The lanes in are very narrow and would unnerve a nervous driver, it is pitch dark at night, and a faint doggy smell has been noticed on arrival. The owners live nearby and turn out quickly when something goes wrong, which counts for a lot this far from anywhere.

Best suited to a couple with one steady, recall-reliable dog who want quiet, dark skies and Dartmoor walking, and who do not mind a narrow lane in and a garden that needs watching.