Heron's Rest, Litton

Heron's Rest is a stone cottage at Litton Mill, tucked into the bottom of the Miller's Dale gorge in the Peak District with the River Wye running past the front garden. For a walking holiday with a dog it is close to ideal: the Monsal Trail passes the door, footpaths climb out of the dale in every direction, and you can be walking within a minute of dropping the bags.

The welcome is the part dog owners talk about most. Arrivals find a basket with milk, tea and biscuits, and dog treats put out alongside them - a small thing that sets the tone. Inside, the flagstone and stone floors are laid with mats, which turns out to matter a great deal in Derbyshire weather, and there is an open fire and a well-equipped kitchen for the evenings after a wet day out.

There is one rule to know before booking: dogs stay downstairs. The cottage makes this clear on arrival with a sign, but it has caught guests out who expected otherwise, so factor it in if your dog sleeps in the bedroom or struggles with separation anxiety. The downstairs is comfortable and dogs are reported to settle well there, but it is a genuine restriction rather than a formality. The other caveat is the front garden, which opens onto the river with no barrier, so the riverside seating is a lead-on spot rather than somewhere to let a dog wander.

The cottage itself is a period building, which means steep winding stairs, uneven stone underfoot and a step between bedroom and bathroom - worth thinking about for an older dog or anyone who might need carrying. A pub serving food is within walking distance along the trail, and Bakewell and the higher Peak edges are a short drive.

Best suited to walkers with a dog who are out most of the day and happy for the dog to sleep downstairs. It earns a 4.8/5 paw rating.