Myrtle Cottage, West Witton

Myrtle Cottage is a genuinely easy place to bring a dog, the kind of self-catering bolthole where walking straight out of the front door onto the Wensleydale hills is the whole point. It sits in the quiet village of West Witton, a few miles from Leyburn, and the format suits dogs well: a whole cottage to yourselves, no shared corridors or lobbies to negotiate, and an enclosed rear garden that guests travelling with dogs mention again and again.

The welcome for four-legged guests is one of the things that comes up most. The owners leave thoughtful touches on arrival - dog towels and blankets, and treats or chews waiting alongside the usual cake and local information. Guests consistently describe the cottage as spotless and well equipped, with a woodburner, comfy sofas and a sunny back garden that people with dogs found secure and easy to relax in.

Location is a big part of the appeal. There are walks from the doorstep in every direction, and the village pub, the Fox, is dog-friendly, as are several others within a short walk or drive. Leyburn's market and bakery are a few minutes away by car, and the cottage makes an ideal base for Aysgarth Falls, Castle Bolton, Hawes and the wider Wensleydale and Swaledale dales.

A few practical notes for dog owners. The official policy is one well-behaved dog per booking, so larger packs should check directly first. There is no parking directly outside - most guests park a little further up the hill without much bother. One walking party found the outside tap turned off and lagged, which is worth confirming ahead if you rely on it to rinse a muddy dog, and the shared back yard's gate has been reported as not always latching, so keep an eye on it with an escape-artist dog.

For anyone after a clean, comfortable Dales cottage with doorstep walks and a warm welcome for their dog, Myrtle Cottage is an easy recommendation, and it earns a 4.6/5 paw rating.