Fantastic Cotswolds Hideaway, Cleeve Hill

Fantastic Cotswolds Hideaway is a self-contained bolthole tucked into the hillside at Cleeve Hill, a few miles north-east of Cheltenham, and it suits dogs far better than most places this close to town. The setting does most of the work: it sits on its own in quiet countryside, well back from any main road, with its own entrance and outside space instead of shared corridors and a reception desk. Guests travelling with dogs describe the outdoor area as enclosed enough to let a dog out safely.

Dogs are welcome by prior arrangement, and there is a fee of £40 per stay. That is worth flagging before you book, because it is easy to miss on the listing - guests have turned up with a dog expecting no extra charge and found out about it at check-in. Confirm the dog with the hosts in advance and it stops being an unwelcome surprise on arrival.

The hosts are the main reason it earns a 4.5/5 paw rating. They live close by in the main house, and dog owners consistently describe them as attentive without hovering, with a welcome that extends to the dogs rather than merely tolerating them. Breakfast provisions and snacks are left in, which takes a lot of the faff out of a short self-catering break with a dog in tow.

Walking is the other reason to come. Cleeve Common rises directly above the property and is the highest ground in the Cotswolds, so open-access paths start more or less at the door, and there is a pub within walking distance that guests rate highly for food.

The one genuine caveat is access. The steps up to the property are steep and, by several accounts, a couple of them are uneven, which is hard work for an older or less mobile dog. Feedback from dog owners here is positive but not extensive, so treat it as a promising pick rather than a proven institution. Beyond that, it suits couples and small families with one or two dogs who want quiet, countryside walking on the doorstep and Cheltenham close enough for a day out.