Stylish One Bed Apartment, Stroud Valleys

This one-bedroom apartment sits at Thrupp, in the Stroud valleys just outside the town, with the canal towpath and open countryside starting more or less at the door. It is a smart, spotless self-contained annexe beside the owners' house, and dog owners rate the walking highly: into Stroud along the canal one way, up through the fields to the next village the other.

Where it needs a caveat is the outside space. There is no enclosed or fenced garden. The front garden sits close to the road, which means a dog stays on the lead the whole time it is out, and this comes up in review after review from guests who brought one. Some concluded the property was not really suitable for a dog at all. If your dog can be trusted on a lead and you are happy to drive or walk to somewhere it can run, that is manageable. If you were counting on letting a dog out into a garden last thing at night, look elsewhere.

The porch is a genuine plus in the other direction, giving you somewhere to leave wet or muddy dogs and their kit rather than carrying it all straight into a very clean apartment. The owners live next door, are on hand without hovering, and know the local walks well. There are also resident cats around the property and its outdoor seating, which is worth flagging if your dog is unpredictable around them.

One practical gripe recurs: a pet charge that guests were not told about before arrival, alongside a separate charge for car charging. Ask about both when you book. Parking is tight too, with a narrow driveway on a hill that takes some manoeuvring in a larger car.

Best suited to a couple with one steady, lead-trained dog who want a high-quality base for walking the Cotswold edge, rather than anyone who needs a secure garden. It earns a 4.4 out of 5 paw rating.