Pilgrims Cottage

Pilgrims Cottage sits in Customs Court on the Overgang, a few steps above Brixham harbour, and its appeal for dog owners is mostly about position. You are close enough to the water that the first walk of the day is a stroll down to the quay rather than a drive, and the town's shops, pubs and takeaways are all within a few minutes on foot. The lounge looks out over the harbour, which gives the cottage a lift well beyond its size.

It is a character property in the literal sense, an old fisherman's cottage with quirks rather than a smooth modern let. Two dogs are welcome, and repeat visits are common here, with guests returning year after year and naming the dog-friendly policy as part of the reason. A keysafe handles arrival, so a late or awkward check-in with a dog in the car is not a problem.

Two things are worth knowing before booking, and both matter more with a dog than without. The staircase is a spiral, with a step in the bathroom that is not clearly defined, so an older or larger dog that struggles with stairs will find this a difficult layout. And while the cottage is well equipped, cleanliness has been flagged: dust and cobwebs in corners, a bathroom window and kitchen cupboards needing attention, and a freezer that arrived iced up. It reads as a property turned round quickly between back-to-back bookings rather than a neglected one, but it is fair to check on arrival.

Parking is the other practical wrinkle. There is no space at the cottage and the harbourside is busy, so ask the managing company where to unload before you travel, bearing in mind that replies from them have been slow at times. For dog owners who want a characterful harbour-front base in Brixham and can manage a steep, twisty interior, it holds a 4.5 out of 5 paw rating.