Newchurch Nook, Isle of Wight

Newchurch Nook is a small self-contained annexe at Langbridge, just outside the village of Newchurch in the middle of the Isle of Wight, and it is one of the more straightforwardly dog-friendly places on the island. The reason is the garden. It is enclosed, it belongs to the annexe rather than being shared, and it opens off the living space, so a dog can be let out and watched from indoors. Guests travelling with dogs mention it more than anything else.

The property takes one well-behaved dog, and asks that dogs are not left unattended in the lodge. That second rule follows from the layout rather than being unusual: the annexe adjoins the owner's house, and a dog left alone in a small space next door is nobody's idea of a good holiday. No pet fee or weight limit is published, so settle the cost side with the host when you book, and ask first if you were hoping to bring a second dog.

The place itself is compact and well thought through: a comfortable double, a proper kitchen, its own parking and a private walkway in from the road, so despite being attached to the owner's house it feels separate. The host is repeatedly described as welcoming and easy to deal with. The surrounding lanes are quiet and rural, which makes for easy lead walks straight from the door, though a car is worth having to reach the beaches at Sandown and Shanklin or the downs above the village.

Two small caveats. The parking space is tight, though nobody reports it actually causing a problem. And there is no fan, which was noticed during a genuinely hot spell. The windows open widely and that proved enough, but it is worth knowing if your dog struggles in heat. The annexe suits a couple with a dog rather than a family.

Best suited to dog owners travelling with a single dog who want a quiet, private base in the middle of the island, with a secure garden and short lead walks from the door. It earns a 4.7/5 paw rating.