The Courtyard, Snettisham

The Courtyard is a self-catering house on School Road in Snettisham, a village on the west Norfolk coast a few miles south of Hunstanton, and its best feature for dog owners is in the name: an enclosed courtyard where a dog can be let out safely off the lead. That, plus private parking and a whole house with no shared entrances, is the practical shape most people want when they travel with a pet.

Guests bringing dogs have been consistently positive about the property itself and about the village as a base. Snettisham sits within easy reach of the beaches and the walking country behind the coast road, and the village has a pub and a coffee shop within a short walk. A welcome pack of wine and snacks turns up regularly in guest accounts as a nice touch.

One local warning is worth passing on, because it came from a dog owner who found out on arrival: the large field further up the street does not allow dogs, so plan walks around the village and the coast rather than counting on that.

The honest caveats are about upkeep rather than the welcome. The main double bed draws repeated complaints - noisy, and firm or lumpy enough that it has driven guests into the spare room with back pain. Cleanliness has been inconsistent too: hair and dust on the bathroom floor, cobwebs in ceiling corners, and kitchen equipment that needed washing before use. Neither issue is universal, and plenty of stays report the house spotless, but they recur often enough to mention.

No pet fee, weight limit or maximum number of dogs is published, so confirm the details when you book.

Best suited to a couple or small family with a dog who want a walkable village base for the west Norfolk coast, and who care more about the courtyard and the location than about a faultless bed.