Savernake, Thurlestone

Savernake is a large house on the South Devon coast near Thurlestone, close enough to the sea that guests wander down for a morning swim in their swimming things. It is built for groups, whether that is two families together or four generations at Christmas, and the coast path runs past the door, which is the single fact that matters most if you are bringing a dog.

Dogs here are beach dogs. The sand below the house is where guests describe them running themselves into happy exhaustion, and the coastal footpath in both directions gives you as much walking as you want without ever getting in a car. Up to two pets are allowed per booking, so a two-dog household is catered for, which is rarer in houses this size than it should be.

Inside, the place is set up for the kind of stay where everyone comes back sandy at once: four showers, a well-equipped kitchen, comfortable beds and sea views from the living space. Guests rate it highly and talk about coming back, and there is nothing in the feedback to suggest dogs are treated as an afterthought.

The outdoor space is the honest caveat. The patio and seating area are small for a house of this capacity, with no enclosed garden to speak of, so a dog that needs a secure space to potter in will be on a lead or on the beach instead. Recycling provision is thin as well, which is a small thing but comes up. Beach access for dogs along this stretch of coast varies through the summer season, so it is worth checking the current rules for the dates you are travelling. For a group holiday where the dogs are out all day and asleep by seven, Savernake is an easy 4.6/5.