The Methodist Chapel, Whiteparish

The Methodist Chapel is a converted chapel in the middle of Whiteparish, a village in the far south-east corner of Wiltshire between Salisbury and the New Forest, and it is built for big groups rather than couples. The main space is one enormous kitchen, dining and living room with a long wooden table, and there is a games room of a size most holiday lets could not accommodate. Dogs are welcome, up to two per booking, and it earns a 4.5/5 paw rating.

What guests with dogs like is the space indoors and the village itself: a well-stocked shop seconds from the door, two good pubs within walking distance and easy parking, so a wet-weather day with a dog in tow does not mean being trapped in one room. The hard, practical interior takes muddy paws in its stride.

The honest caveats are about outside, and they are consistent enough to plan around. There is almost no outdoor space, just a bench and a few chairs at the front of the building and no enclosed garden, so this is not a property where a dog can simply be let out. The front door opens straight from the living room onto the street, which guests with an opportunist dog have found needs watching every time somebody comes or goes.

Opinion on the walking divides. Some guests have found good walks straight from the village; others, particularly with a young and lively dog, found the lanes short on footpaths and the immediate area limited. The reliable answer is to drive: the New Forest is a short hop east, and Salisbury and the wider Wiltshire downland are both within easy reach.

One warning that has nothing to do with dogs but comes up in review after review: there is effectively no internet connection at the property, so do not book it expecting to work or stream.

Best suited to a large family or group of friends with settled dogs, a car, and no need for a garden at the door.