The Barn, Whitby

The Barn is a converted stone barn at Beckside Farm in Sneatonthorpe, a few miles inland from Whitby, and it is set up to be a dog's holiday as much as its owners'. Dogs are welcome as standard rather than by arrangement, and guests travelling with them consistently describe the sort of easy, unfussed welcome that makes a rural cottage worth the drive.

The setting is the main draw. The barn sits on a working farm surrounded by open country, with a public footpath running along the side of the property up to a quiet grassy field on the hill, which is enough for a first walk of the day without getting in the car. Beyond that, the coast and the moors are both close. Whitby is around ten minutes by road, with Robin Hood's Bay, Staithes, Runswick Bay, Sandsend and Saltburn all within easy reach for beach and clifftop walking. The village pub is a mile and a half away on foot.

Inside it is a proper home from home, comfortable and well equipped, kept spotlessly clean, with a large bath that earns its keep after a muddy day. The owners get a lot of credit for small touches like milk in the fridge on arrival.

There are things to know before booking with a dog. There is no enclosed garden or secure exercise area, so the lane and the footpath are what you have, and that comes up repeatedly from guests who wanted somewhere to let a dog off the lead. This is also a working farm with dogs of its own, so expect some barking, and a farm dog finding its way in through an open door on a warm day is a real possibility. Mobile signal is close to non-existent and the WiFi can be temperamental. The pet charge is £20 per pet per stay; it is still worth confirming the total including your dog when you book, as extras have caused confusion on arrival.

Best suited to dog owners who want quiet, countryside and coastal walking, and who do not need a secure garden. It earns a 4.3/5 paw rating.