Starry Cottage, Bakewell

Starry Cottage sits on South Church Street in the middle of Bakewell, which makes it an easy base for a dog that would rather be walked than driven. The riverside path along the Wye, the Monsal Trail and the open country above the town are all reachable on foot, and the whole cottage is let to one party, so there are no shared corridors or stairwells to negotiate with a dog in tow.

The feature that matters most for dogs is the enclosed courtyard at the back. It is the thing dog owners pick out first: somewhere a dog can be let out safely without going back onto a town-centre street, which is not something every cottage in Bakewell can offer.

Be realistic about the condition of the place. The cottage draws consistent comment for looking tired - worn decor in the lounge and bedrooms, a bathroom that needs attention, and cleaning that has not always reached into corners. Guests have been generous about it, treating the wear as the trade-off for a cottage that takes dogs, and that is a fair way to see it, but this is a practical base rather than a polished one. Basics such as washing-up liquid and hand soap have been missing on arrival, so pack your own.

Two other things are worth knowing. Parking is not at the door: the property supplies a permit for nearby residents' parking, and guests have reported a walk of around five minutes back to the cottage with bags. And the cottage faces the parish church, so the bells carry into the bedrooms at night. The booking listing does not spell out a pet fee or a limit on numbers, so confirm both with the property when you book.

Best suited to dog owners who want to walk straight out into Bakewell and the Peak District, and who will take a well-used cottage with a secure yard over a smarter one without.