Squires at Hodge Bower, Ironbridge

Squires is a top-floor apartment in the Hodge Bower cluster above Ironbridge, looking down the Severn Gorge, and it makes a comfortable base for a couple or a small family with a dog. The practical detail dog owners single out is the small field directly across the road, somewhere to take the dog out first thing without the walk down into town. Ironbridge itself is about ten minutes downhill on foot, and rather longer coming back up.

Inside, the apartment has been nicely restored, with a snug looking out over the valley through a large picture window and a well-equipped kitchen. Home-made flapjacks and milk in the fridge on arrival come up again and again from guests, and there is allocated parking, which is worth having in a village where the lanes are narrow. The gorge, the riverside path and the wider Shropshire countryside give you plenty of routes on the doorstep.

The honest caveat is the stairs. Getting up to the apartment involves a lot of steps, and dog owners have said plainly that this makes it a harder sell as a dog-friendly place than the listing implies. If your dog is elderly, heavy or unsteady, factor that in. The other recurring points are worth knowing too: the bedroom has no window, ventilation across the flat is limited, and in hot weather the rooms get stuffy, which is uncomfortable for a dog as much as for you. There are no safety bars on the low-level windows. Cleaning has been variable, with cutlery and pans occasionally needing a wash before use.

At 4.3/5 for paws, Squires suits an active couple with a fit dog who want gorge views, easy walking and a short stroll into Ironbridge, and who are not put off by a climb at the end of the day. No formal pet policy is published, so confirm dog numbers and any charge when you book.