In House Garden Flat, Castle Douglas

In House Garden Flat sits right on King Street in the middle of Castle Douglas, which makes it an easy base for a dog-owning couple or a small family who want the shops on the doorstep and a car-free start to the day. It is a first-floor flat with its own enclosed garden, and that garden is the thing guests with dogs keep coming back to - somewhere safe to let a dog out last thing at night without a lead, and space enough for two to potter about in.

Inside, the space is generous for the price: a proper dining table in the living room, a breakfast bar in the kitchen, and room enough for two adults plus a child and a dog without anyone tripping over anyone else. Guests travelling with dogs consistently describe a relaxed, homely feel rather than a tightly policed pet policy, and the owner is quick to sort anything that turns out to be missing. Small welcome touches, chocolates and fresh coffee on arrival among them, come up often.

Parking is free on the street directly outside, which matters more than it sounds when you are unloading a dog, a crate and a week's worth of walking kit. The Galloway forest trails and the Solway shore are a short drive, and the town itself is walkable enough that a lunchtime stroll does not need the car at all.

The honest caveat is housekeeping. Guests travelling with dogs have flagged small misses more than once: dog waste bags listed as provided but not stocked, dust and clutter left behind, a garden that had gone untidy. The flat can also carry enough trace of previous four-legged visitors to bother anyone prone to animal allergies. None of it stopped those guests recommending the place, but pack your own waste bags and set expectations accordingly if someone in your party is allergy-sensitive.

For dog owners who want a central, well-priced flat with a safe garden attached, In House Garden Flat earns its 4.6/5 paw rating.