Historic Property with Stunning Views, Hennock

This converted historic property sits high above the Teign Valley in the Devon village of Hennock, right on the eastern edge of Dartmoor, and it suits dog owners who want their walks to start at the door rather than after a drive. A path from the shared courtyard drops down towards open fields, and the moor proper is only a few minutes away by car.

Dogs are welcomed here without fuss. The accommodation is a self-contained apartment within the old building - spacious and comfortable, with a big living room and an excellent kitchen - and guests travelling with dogs describe it simply as practical for the purpose. The welcome from the owner comes up repeatedly: warm, helpful and glad to have a dog on the premises rather than merely tolerant of one. There are horses on the land and the hosts keep dogs of their own, which most visiting dogs take in their stride, though it is worth knowing if yours would rather not meet others.

The setting is the main draw. Hennock is a small, pretty village with a fine old church, and the views from the property are what most people remember. That elevation cuts both ways for a dog walk: at around 600 feet, almost every route out is a climb, so this suits a fit dog and a fit owner better than a short-legged, short-winded pair. The lanes up to the property are steep and single-track too, which takes some concentration on the way in.

The one thing dog owners consistently wish for is a securely enclosed outdoor space of their own. The courtyard is shared and open, so a dog that cannot be trusted off the lead will need to stay on one outside. Bedrooms are on the small side, with hanging space limited to coat pegs. For an active pair who want moor walks, big views and a genuinely welcoming host, though, it lands a 4.4/5 paw rating.