Penwarne Lodge, Falmouth

Penwarne Lodge sits in private gated grounds on the Mawnan side of Falmouth, a few minutes from the village of Mawnan Smith and within walking distance of the coast. It is a comfortable, no-frills cottage rather than a smart one, and it has a following: a striking number of the guests who bring dogs are on their third, fourth or fifth stay. The draw is the setting, with large wooded gardens, real privacy, and walks that start at the gate.

Dogs get a lot of space here and guests describe them thriving in it, with sticks, squirrels and acres of garden to work through. What those same guests say, repeatedly and clearly, is that the gardens are not dog secure. Escapes have been reported through several separate gaps, and the grounds are described as fine for a steady dog but unsuitable for an adventurous one. Treat the gardens as unfenced and plan accordingly, particularly with a young dog or a determined escaper. There is also no outside tap, which regular guests have asked for, so bring something to rinse a muddy dog with.

The house is warm, with a wood burner, a good-sized kitchen and a very comfortable main bedroom, and the fibre broadband is fast. The second bedroom is small and better suited to children. The bathroom is downstairs in the coldest part of the house, which is an inconvenience in the night rather than a fault, and the dining area is dim. The track down to the property is bumpy and steep with a curve, so reversing in is easier than turning at the bottom.

Not every stay has been faultless. Damp has been reported by more than one party, cleanliness on arrival has occasionally needed attention, and the hot water tank has not always stretched to three showers. The welcome pack is modest. None of it has stopped the regulars coming back year after year.

Best suited to owners of a settled, recall-reliable dog who want seclusion, garden space and coastal walks, and who will keep a lead handy rather than assume the grounds will hold.