The Borough Apartment, Canterbury

The Borough Apartment is a small self-contained flat in the middle of Canterbury, on the Borough in the King's Mile a few minutes from the cathedral, and it makes a practical base for a short city break with a dog. You get your own front door and your own space rather than a hotel corridor, key collection is straightforward and the staff helpful with it, and the flat comes stocked with what a couple or small family actually needs for a night or two.

Dogs are welcome, and guests who chose the flat specifically for that reason have been happy with the decision. Nothing is published about a pet fee, a size limit or restricted breeds, so check with the owners before booking if you have a large dog or more than one. They have a reputation for accommodating requests - guests with dietary requirements have found them willing to go out of their way, which is usually a fair signal for how flexible a place will be about a dog too.

The honest caveat, and it is the one that matters most for dogs, is noise. This is an old building on a busy central street, and guests report sound carrying from neighbours inside the building as well as from crowds and restaurants outside until after two in the morning. The windows and blinds do not keep much of it out, and more than one party has struggled to sleep. A dog that settles anywhere will be fine; a dog that barks at footsteps on the stairs or reacts to late-night noise on the pavement is likely to have a difficult night, and so are you.

Set against that, the location is genuinely excellent for walking a dog. The city walls, Westgate Gardens and the riverside paths are all within an easy stroll, so the first walk of the day starts at the door rather than after a drive. The flat also works for anyone with something on in the centre who would rather not leave a dog in a car.

Best suited to a settled, unflappable dog and owners planning one or two nights rather than a week - the noise is manageable over a short stay and wearing over a long one.