Newhope, Winchelsea

Newhope is a small house at Winchelsea Beach, on the stretch of East Sussex shore between Rye and Hastings, and the thing dog owners keep returning to is the garden. It is fully enclosed, which means the dog goes out first thing without a lead and without a search for the collar, and guests arriving with two dogs have found it secure enough to leave them dozing outside in the sun while they get on with the day.

The house itself is straightforward and comfortable rather than styled, described by guests as clean, bright and inviting, and owners travelling with dogs tend to count that as a feature rather than a compromise. There is a welcome on arrival that has included wine and complimentary drinks, and the general impression is of a host who has thought about how people actually turn up after a long drive.

The location is the other argument. Pett Level Road runs just behind the shingle, so the beach is a short walk and the walking continues in both directions along the shore. Seasonal dog restrictions apply on many beaches along this coast over the summer, so it is worth checking which stretch is open to dogs for your dates. Behind the house, the Pett Level marshes give flat, quiet walking away from traffic.

The published limit is one pet per booking. Reviews here do mention two small dogs staying, so a second is plainly not unheard of, but it is not something the listing promises. Phone the owner in advance if you want to bring more than one dog, rather than turning up and hoping. No pet fee or weight limit is published either, so confirm those on the same call.

Best suited to couples or small households who want a quiet, unfussy coastal base and value a garden the dog can be let loose in the moment you arrive.