Lower Marsh Farm, Cornwall

Lower Marsh Farm is a converted farm complex in the Cornish parish of Landulph, tucked into the countryside between Saltash and the Tamar, and it is about as comfortable a place to bring a dog as this corner of Cornwall offers. The barns are let separately, the grounds are large and quiet, and a private footpath runs from the farm down to the riverbank, which means a proper walk without ever meeting a road.

The single most useful feature for dog owners is that the gardens are fully enclosed. Guests whose dogs are escape artists have said so explicitly, and it changes what a stay here looks like: the dog can be out while you are cooking. The barns themselves are spacious and well finished, with good kitchens, comfortable beds and a hot tub, and the farm sells its own eggs and apple juice. It earns a 4.6/5 paw rating from guests who brought dogs.

The setting does most of the work. The riverside path is the highlight, the lanes around Landulph are quiet, and the south-east Cornwall beaches and towns are a short drive when you want them. Guests consistently describe the place as somewhere they wound down faster than expected.

A couple of things to plan for. The farm keeps free-roaming birds, including peacocks and ducks, and there is a resident cat, all of which is charming if your dog ignores livestock and a problem if it does not, so dogs need to be under control in the grounds. The swimming pool carries an extra charge and has to be booked in advance, which has surprised people. Storage in the bedrooms is limited.

Best suited to a couple or family with a dog who want enclosed outdoor space, a private river walk and genuine quiet, and who are happy sharing the grounds with poultry.