The Annexe Long Melford

The Annexe Long Melford is a small self-contained bolthole on the High Street of one of Suffolk's prettiest wool villages, and it is set up for dogs to a degree that is rare in a property this size. Guests travelling with dogs describe arriving to find food and water bowls already out, a box with a blanket, a ball and treats, and a cover laid over the settee so the dog has somewhere of its own to settle. That level of preparation is the single thing dog owners mention most.

The building is an annexe rather than a room in a shared house, so there are no corridors or communal areas to negotiate. It comes with its own enclosed courtyard, which repeat visitors single out as the feature that makes the stay work: dogs can come and go freely without being walked out to a shared lawn, and parties travelling with more than one dog have found it comfortable. The hosts are close at hand but not intrusive, and the welcome extends to people too, with fresh milk, biscuits and chocolate laid on for arrival.

Long Melford itself suits a dog holiday. Kentwell Hall is close enough to walk to, the village pub is around four minutes away on foot and serves food, and the local garden centre welcomes dogs, which gives you somewhere to go on a wet afternoon. The annexe sits at the quieter end of the village rather than on the busiest stretch.

The caveats are about the accommodation rather than the dog welcome. The bed is small, low to the ground and on the soft side, which has been raised by guests with mobility issues as well as by those who simply prefer a firmer mattress, and there is no vacuum cleaner or dustpan for clearing up after a muddy walk.

It earns a 4.8/5 paw rating, and suits couples or solo travellers touring Suffolk with one or two dogs who want a self-contained base rather than a hotel.