Laburnham Cottage

Laburnham Cottage is a small, well-kept holiday cottage sitting directly behind a tidal quay in south Pembrokeshire, with the water and the boats a few steps from the door. Dog owners arriving here consistently describe the same thing: a hamper of dog kit waiting for them, with blankets, bowls, treats, towels and a set of suggested walks, alongside the milk, tea and Welsh cakes left out for the humans.

Up to two pets can stay. The hosts are the strongest part of the offer: guests describe them as easy to reach, quick to fix anything that goes wrong and genuinely welcoming, and several who arrived with dogs have gone on to book again. The cottage is compact and thoughtfully stocked rather than large, so it suits a couple or a small family with one or two dogs rather than a big group.

The walking is good and starts at the door, with the estuary path close by, the coast around Tenby roughly twenty minutes away by car, and the castle and mill at Carew nearby, which guests have found welcoming to dogs. Watching the tide come in with a coffee is a large part of the appeal, and it is worth checking tide times, because spring tides can come up over the quay.

Two practical limits stand out. The parking and driveway sit immediately outside the cottage door, so there is no enclosed space to let a dog out for a run first thing and dogs go straight onto a lead. And the pub over the road, which guests otherwise rate highly, does not take dogs inside, so an evening drink with the dog means going elsewhere. The cottage also shows its age in places, though most guests mention that only in passing.

Best suited to couples or small families with one or two dogs who want a quiet waterside base for exploring Pembrokeshire; less suited to anyone who needs a secure garden, or who wants to take the dog along to the nearest pub.