Partridge Cottage, Combe Martin

Partridge Cottage is one of a cluster of holiday cottages on Widmouth Farm, a private coastal estate on the north Devon coast road between Combe Martin and Ilfracombe, and it is about as well set up for dogs as self-catering gets. The cottage has a stone-walled garden secure enough to let a dog out on its own, and the estate adds a dedicated exercise field where dogs can run off the lead, which is genuinely useful if yours cannot be trusted loose on open ground.

Up to three pets can stay, so a multi-dog household does not have to split up or book something larger than it needs.

The estate runs down to its own beach cove, about five minutes' walk from the cottage, and the path passes alpacas, goats and sheep on the way. Guests travelling with dogs rate that cove highly: it is enclosed, quiet and reachable on foot, and the coast path leaves the property in both directions for longer days. Mown grass tracks through the estate fields give you an easy last walk of the evening without going far.

Inside, the cottage is comfortable and well kept, with good heating, plenty of hot water and comfortable beds. Guests with dogs tend to describe the owners as helpful in small practical ways, from flexible arrival times to lending kit that has been left at home.

Three caveats. The path down to the beach is steep, which is fine for a fit dog and harder on a small or elderly one, and harder still carrying beach kit back up. The kitchen has been found smelling strongly of dogs on arrival, so ask for it to be aired if that would spoil the first evening. And the bathroom is compact while the internet is unreliable, neither of which matters much on a walking holiday but both of which surprise people.

Partridge Cottage earns 4.8/5 for dogs and suits owners who want walking, a secure garden and a beach they can share with the dog, rather than shops and restaurants at the door.