Hillside Cottage, Bath

Hillside Cottage is one of those places dog owners rebook the moment they get home. It is a compact upstairs apartment set high on a lane in a quiet valley near Peasedown St John, a short bus ride from Bath, and almost every guest who brings a dog leaves talking about how thoroughly welcome they and their pets were made to feel.

The property's booking listing confirms that one well-behaved dog is welcome, and in practice the owner goes well beyond the bare policy. Guests travelling with dogs consistently mention the thoughtful touches waiting on arrival, from dog beds and treats to a genuinely useful briefing on local walks. The enclosed garden is the other big draw, giving dogs a secure patch to themselves with high fencing and countryside on the doorstep.

Beyond the pet welcome, the apartment is described as spotlessly clean, cosy and well equipped, with far-reaching rural views that guests single out again and again. The setting suits walkers: footpaths lead straight from the door into open country, and there are good pubs within reach for an evening out. For trips into Bath itself, regular buses and the Park and Ride save the hassle of city parking, which several dog owners rate more highly than driving in.

There are two caveats worth flagging. The stairs up to the flat are steep, so a larger or less mobile dog may need carrying, and it is better suited to smaller breeds for that reason. Parking is also limited and tight on the lane outside, so a compact car is easier here.

Best suited to a couple or small family with one small-to-medium, well-behaved dog who will love the secure garden and the walks from the door, and who does not mind a steep flight of stairs and a village setting a bus ride from the city.