Little Lane, Gosport

Little Lane is a terraced house in a quiet corner of Gosport with a fully enclosed rear garden and the sea about ten minutes' walk away, and dog owners are the guests who seem to get the most out of it. The garden is completely fenced, so a dog can be let out safely without anyone standing over it, and the seafront gives you a long flat walk in one direction with plenty more around the village in the other.

Dogs of a decent size are clearly no problem, and guests have brought a pair of collies without difficulty. The practical details work in their favour too. The whole house is yours, so there are no shared corridors or lifts to negotiate, both bedrooms have their own bathroom, the kitchen is well equipped, and there is free parking directly opposite the front door, which saves hauling a wet dog any distance after a beach walk.

The setting deserves a mention of its own. A mini supermarket, a post office, a bakery, a pub and a cafe are all within a couple of minutes, so day-to-day errands do not need the car, and Portsmouth is close enough for a day out. Guests consistently describe the street as quiet and the house as clean and well equipped.

The criticisms are about comfort rather than anything dog-related: the beds are narrow, the mattresses soft for some tastes, and the kitchen is short of a few of the larger bowls and dishes. It is also worth confirming what outdoor extras are included before you book, since guests have arrived expecting a hot tub and a proper barbecue and found neither. With a 4.6/5 paw rating, Little Lane suits dog owners after a self-contained seaside base with a secure garden and everything else walkable.