The Studio Littleport

The Studio Littleport is a self-contained annexe behind a family home in Littleport, a few miles north of Ely, and it works best as a practical, well-priced stop for people travelling with animals rather than a destination in its own right. It is pet-friendly in a way that goes beyond dogs, with guests having brought cats as well, and it earns a 4.2/5 paw rating.

The appeal is convenience. The studio is spacious for what it costs, comes with its own parking space, and sits a short walk from Littleport station, which makes it easy to leave the car and get into Ely or Cambridge. The owners are responsive and well organised, and several guests have used the place to break a long drive, the run down to the Channel crossings among them. Pets are accepted as a matter of course, and there is a resident cockapoo on site who gets on well with some visiting dogs.

That last point needs care. Reports on the outdoor space genuinely conflict: some guests describe a safe enclosed garden their dogs could use, while others found no private outdoor space of their own and, because the resident dog did not take to theirs, felt they had to keep their own on the lead throughout. The studio sits in the owners' back garden rather than to the side of the house, so how much space you get to yourself is worth clarifying before you book, particularly if your dog is reactive around other dogs.

An extra cleaning charge of around £20 applies to guests travelling with pets. It is not shown as part of the standard terms, so confirm the current figure directly before you arrive.

Cleanliness is the weakest area. Guests have reported a lingering smell of dog and damp in the living space, dirty appliances, cobwebs and mould in the shower area, and the bathroom is small and dated. The shower draws complaints for both temperature and how awkward it is to operate.

Best suited to pet owners who want a cheap, easy overnight break in the Ely area and will check the garden arrangements first.