Hafannedd, Corwen

Hafannedd is a self-catering house in the Denbighshire countryside, and it suits dogs well. The whole house is yours, there are no shared corridors to negotiate, and the garden and the river running through the site give a dog somewhere to play. It earns a 4.7/5 paw rating.

The welcome from the owners is the thing dog owners mention most. They answer messages quickly, they are flexible about arrival times when plans change, and they are relaxed about parties turning up late. Dogs are by prior arrangement, so tell them how many are coming when you book. The house itself is clean and comfortable, with a compact but well-equipped kitchen, and it feels quiet and private even though other guests stay on the same site.

Two things are worth planning around, and both come up repeatedly. The garden is not enclosed, so dogs need to stay on a lead outside rather than being let loose, and the owners flag this when you book. More importantly, the drive comes out onto a fast main road with limited visibility, which makes this a poor spot for a quick wander first thing with a dog that does not walk to heel.

Drive two minutes and that stops mattering. This is walking and cycling country, with Clocaenog Forest, Llyn Brenig and the Clwydian hills all close by, and pubs in the surrounding villages that welcome dogs. The area is not heavily touristed, which is much of its appeal.

Best suited to couples or families with dogs who want a quiet, unfussy base for exploring north Wales, and who are happy to keep a lead on in the garden.