Loft on the Chester Rows, Chester

This loft sits directly on the Chester Rows, the medieval galleried walkways that run through the middle of the city, and for a dog owner the appeal is simple. You can be out of the door and walking along the River Dee inside ten minutes without touching the car, and the shops and the city walls are barely five minutes the other way. Guests who have brought dogs single out that combination: a proper city break where the dog comes too and the day still starts with a decent walk.

The listing sets out no pet terms - no fee, no size limit, no stated number of dogs - so confirm what is accepted before booking, especially if there is more than one.

Inside, the apartment is stylish and well equipped, with two separate bedrooms, a decent kitchen and a few breakfast basics left in. Free private parking is a real advantage in central Chester, but it is not at the property itself and guests have found it hard to locate on arrival, so get the directions in advance rather than circling the one-way system with a restless dog in the back.

Two things deserve honest weight. The first is the stairs: this is a top-floor flat in a historic building, and the steps up are numerous and steep. A large or elderly dog will find them hard work, and you may end up carrying a smaller one. The second is condition. Reports diverge sharply - some dog-owning guests found the place spotless and beautifully finished, while others encountered stained carpets and bedcovers, flaking paint, slow-draining sinks and a dripping tap. That variability is the main reason the paw rating sits at 4.1/5 rather than higher.

Worth knowing too that not every historic pub in the centre welcomes dogs, so check before you settle in somewhere for the evening. Best suited to small or medium dogs that handle stairs happily, and to owners who want to do Chester entirely on foot.