Tarn Lodge, Allerthorpe

Tarn Lodge is a dog-friendly base for the Yorkshire Wolds without making a production of it. The lodge sits on a golf and country park at Allerthorpe, a few minutes from Pocklington and roughly half an hour from York, and guests bringing a dog describe the atmosphere as the strong point: a welcoming reception, nobody fussing, and enough parkland around you to walk first thing without getting in the car.

Inside, it works well for a group with a dog in tow. There are two bathrooms, a well-equipped kitchen and enough room that a dog is not underfoot, while the hot tub and outdoor seating mean you can sit out with them in the evening. Guests travelling with a single small, settled dog report no difficulty at all. If you are planning to bring more than one, confirm the numbers with the operator before you book, because the arrangement guests describe is a one-dog one.

The caveats are worth reading. The decking has no gate, which is the single most useful thing to know here: you cannot leave a dog out there safely while you cook or sit inside, and guests travelling with dogs have said exactly that. The lodge is also showing wear in places, with a stained and threadbare patch in the living room carpet, a dip in the double mattress and outdoor furniture people have found too uncomfortable to use. Kitchen items have occasionally been put away dirty, so a check before you cook is sensible, and there is little shade on a hot day.

Best suited to a group or family with one well-behaved dog who want space, a hot tub and easy access to York and the Wolds, and who will not mind a lodge that is comfortable rather than pristine. It earns a 4.1/5 paw rating.