Halford Hill, Llanberis

Halford Hill is a large self-catering house on the main street of Llanberis, at the foot of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) and a short walk from Llyn Padarn, in the heart of Eryri (Snowdonia). Its size is the point: parties of a dozen or more have stayed here with dogs among them, and it is one of the few village-centre houses in the area that can absorb a big group and their animals at once.

The listing allows up to two pets per booking, and that is worth pinning down before you book, because groups have arrived with two and three dogs between them. A quick call to the owners is the sensible step if you are travelling with more than two.

What makes it work for dogs is the position rather than any particular facility. The house sits on the high street, so shops, cafes and the lakeshore are all on foot; the Llyn Padarn circuit is an easy morning walk, the Yr Wyddfa paths start nearby, and the old quarry paths and Padarn Country Park are a few minutes away. The log fire in the sitting room is a welcome thing to come back to after a lap of the lake, and the owners leave a few touches on arrival, such as bara brith and a supply of wood for the burner.

Set expectations for a well-used group house rather than a boutique one. Guests consistently praise the space, the layout and the location, and just as consistently note that it is tired and dated in places, with a first-floor shower that trickles and an outside area that has been overgrown on some arrivals. Practical pet detail is thin on the property's listing beyond the two-pet limit, so any questions about where dogs can sleep, or about charges, are best asked directly.

At 4.4/5, it suits large parties travelling together with a dog or two who want a walk-everywhere Snowdonia base with room to spread out, and who care more about space and position than about finish.