The Old Eclectick, Ilfracombe

The Old Eclectick is a Grade II listed cottage on Fore Street in the old harbour quarter of Ilfracombe, and it turns out to be an easy place to bring a dog. It is let as a whole self-catering property rather than a room in a shared building, so there are no corridors, lifts or other guests to work around, and dogs settle quickly. Guests who travel with theirs describe it as genuinely dog friendly rather than merely tolerant.

The raised sun terrace is the feature that makes it work. It sits above the street with a view out to sea, so there is somewhere to sit with a dog at your feet in the morning without leaving the property. Inside is more spacious than most guests expect, with two shower rooms and a compact kitchen, which helps when you come back off the coast path with a wet, muddy dog in tow.

Location is the other draw. The quay and harbour are a couple of minutes on foot, Fore Street is the oldest street in town and is strung with lights after dark, and Capstone Hill and the seafront are close enough for a proper walk before breakfast. Wildersmouth Beach and the Tunnels Beaches are both within an easy stroll, and North Devon's dog-friendly stretches of coast start on the doorstep.

A few things to plan for. There is no garden and no parking on site, so you will be using a public car park a short walk away, which gets expensive in high season. Access to the front door is up some steps and a short incline on a steep street, which rules it out for anyone using a mobility scooter and is worth a thought if your dog is elderly or unsteady. The property's booking listing does not publish its pet terms, so nothing is stated either way about a fee, a size limit or how many dogs are allowed. Ask the owner directly before you book.

With a 4.7/5 paw rating, it suits couples, small families and solo travellers who want a characterful base in the middle of Ilfracombe and a dog that is happy to be out and about in town rather than parked in a field.