Llwyn Bedw, Caernarfon

Llwyn Bedw is an old stone cottage tucked into the countryside a few minutes from Llanberis, in the Eryri foothills south of Caernarfon, and it has one feature that makes it stand out for dog owners: a stream runs along the edge of the garden. Parties travelling with water-loving dogs single it out every time, and in warm weather it turns a garden into an afternoon's entertainment. Dogs that are not keen swimmers are better watched near it, and the same applies to small children.

The cottage itself is the warm, well-worn sort - an Aga in the kitchen, a log burner in the sitting room, a big table that seats a family properly, and enough kit that you are not shopping for pans on day one. It has taken groups of seven comfortably. Walks start at the door, the setting is genuinely secluded, and Llanberis, Llyn Padarn and the Snowdon paths are a short drive rather than an expedition. There is a welcoming pub within reach.

The point to check before you travel is the boundary. Accounts differ: some parties have let dogs out into the garden without a second thought, while others have found the gates and fencing incomplete or deteriorated in places, and not proof against a determined dog or the sheep on the other side. Treat the garden as somewhere to supervise rather than a sealed run, and walk the perimeter on arrival.

The booking listing is written for one well-behaved dog with a £20 pet fee, although larger parties have brought two, so confirm directly if you are travelling with more than one. Worth knowing too that the cottage is easy to drive past - there is no name on the wall or gate at the entrance, so pin the location before you set off.

Best suited to a family or group who want quiet, countryside and hill walking with a dog that likes water, and who are happy to keep an eye on the garden gate. Llwyn Bedw earns a 4.8/5 paw rating.