The Old Post Office, Eaton Bishop

The Old Post Office is a small self-catering cottage at Ruckhall in the Herefordshire parish of Eaton Bishop, a few miles west of Hereford and a short walk from the River Wye. It is one of the more thoughtfully equipped dog-friendly cottages of its size, and what stands out is that the welcome extends to the dogs as a matter of course rather than as an afterthought - guests arriving with dogs have found treats, towels and spare leads waiting for them alongside the human welcome basket.

That welcome basket has become the property's signature. Guests describe arriving to bacon, sausages, eggs, fresh bread, milk, tea, coffee and a home-made cake, which is enough to cover breakfast for the first few mornings. Inside, an Aga keeps the place warm around the clock and a log fire is laid ready in the hearth. The garden is well kept with plenty of outside seating, and there are bird feeders that guests enjoy watching over a morning cup of tea.

Walking is the main draw. The Wye is just down the road, footpaths run in several directions from the cottage, and a few minutes in the car opens up more. The setting is quiet and rural, which is rather the point - guests who want that describe it as perfect, and the property holds 9.7/10 across its guest reviews.

Two caveats are worth flagging. The kitchen door has been reported as not catching properly, which matters if your dogs sleep in the kitchen overnight. And the main bedroom has no blackout curtains, so light sleepers may want an eye mask in summer. Neither is a dealbreaker, and for a couple travelling with one or two dogs who want a warm, rural, riverside base with real walking on the doorstep, The Old Post Office earns its 4.6/5 paw rating.