Poppy 44, Ringwood

Poppy 44 is a privately let holiday home on Oakdene Forest Park at St Leonards, just outside Ringwood, and its selling point for dog owners is what sits immediately outside: woodland. The park backs onto forest with a network of paths, plus a sports field that opens onto more fields beyond, so the first walk of the day starts at the door rather than after a drive.

The owners have thought about dogs specifically. Dog bowls are left in the unit along with other pet bits, and the welcome extends to milk, biscuits and store-cupboard basics on arrival. Guests with dogs rate the cleanliness highly and describe communication with the owners as quick and helpful, though one found email unreliable and had better luck through the booking channel.

The location works for more than dog walking. The New Forest is close by, Bournemouth and Ringwood are both an easy drive, and the unit sits in a quiet corner of the park rather than in the thick of it.

A few things to know. The decking railing will not contain a dog that decides to go after a squirrel, so anything with a strong prey drive should not be left out there unsupervised. The caravan is showing its age in places: the shower is old and can be temperamental, and the mattress in the main bedroom has been described as very hard. The smaller of the two single rooms has a wall cupboard over the lower half of the bed, which rules it out for taller occupants. The on-park shop is expensive, so bring groceries with you.

Best suited to families and couples with dogs who want forest walking on tap and a well-stocked, spotlessly kept base, and who care more about the location than about contemporary fittings. It earns a 4.7/5 paw rating.