Mill Cottage, Clitheroe

Mill Cottage is a small stone house on Salthill Road, five minutes on foot from the middle of Clitheroe, and it is set up for dogs rather than merely tolerating them. Arriving guests find a welcome basket with the usual wine, beer and snacks, and alongside it a dog bed, bowls, treats and a tennis ball. For a self-catering cottage with no formal pet package, that is a lot of thought.

The layout helps too. There is a walled courtyard at the back, which dog owners have found useful for the messy end of a Ribble Valley walk, where muddy boots and a muddy dog can be sorted out before anyone goes inside. The house has a sitting room and a separate dining room, so there is space to spread out on a wet afternoon, and the furnishings have stood up well to visiting dogs. Parties have brought two dogs without difficulty.

Clitheroe town centre is an easy walk, with the long-stay car park directly behind the back gate, and the Ribble Valley starts more or less where the town stops, which makes for good walking and cycling country. Dog owners note how straightforward it is to get out on foot without moving the car.

Two things to check before booking. The property does not publish a pet policy on its booking listing, so the number of dogs allowed and any extra charge need confirming with the owner. And the practicalities are those of an old cottage: the second bedroom is small for a double, the kitchen is a one-person space, and the heating has been found switched off on a winter arrival and slow to catch up. None of that is unusual, and with a 4.5/5 paw rating this is a straightforward recommendation for a couple or a small family bringing a dog to the Ribble Valley.