Fern Cottage at Hewish Mill, Barnstaple

Fern Cottage sits in the folds of the North Devon countryside at Hewish Mill, a few miles north of Barnstaple, and it is the sort of place that suits dogs almost by default: a whole house to yourselves, no shared corridors or lobbies to negotiate, and a garden guests describe as properly secure. It earns a 4.6 out of 5 paw rating.

That secure garden is the detail dog owners raise first, and it matters more than it sounds - it means letting a dog out first thing without a lead, which is rarely true of a rented cottage. Inside, the house is modern and well equipped, with a good kitchen, comfortable beds and finishes that cope with muddy paws. Guests travelling with dogs describe the space as easy to relax in rather than something to be careful in.

The owners live close by and make an impression: a welcome hamper on arrival, quick answers when something is needed, and a real interest in how the stay is going. It is a smallholding as much as a holiday let, with pet pigs on the land - charming for most visitors, though worth thinking about if your dog is unreliable around livestock.

For walks, the position is a strong one. Marwood and the lanes around Hewish give you quiet countryside straight from the door, and the beaches at Woolacombe and Ilfracombe are a short drive, as is Barnstaple for supplies and the Tarka Trail.

On the paperwork, up to two dogs are accepted and there is a communal enclosed dog paddock on the site, but no pet fee or size limit is published, so agree those terms with the owners when you book. If you want a self-contained Devon base with a garden your dog can actually use, this is a strong choice.