The Swish, New Forest Retreat

The Swish is a one-bedroom apartment on the western edge of the New Forest at Redlynch, next door to the owners' own house, and it is set up for dogs with more thought than most places this size. A corner of the flat is given over to visiting dogs, and the owners let guests use the field behind their land for walks, which means the first outing of the day is a few steps from the door.

Pets must stay on a lead at the property. That is the one formal rule, and it makes sense given the field, the livestock in view and the owners living next door.

Beyond the field, the walking is the reason to come. Footpaths run alongside the property across open fields and into woodland, the New Forest proper is a short drive for longer routes, and there is a village shop and a pub serving food a couple of minutes away. Guests consistently describe the setting as quiet, with long views from the balcony over hills, fields and grazing cattle.

The balcony needs a word of warning. It faces due south and is laid with composite decking, and in strong sun that surface gets hot enough to hurt. Guests travelling with a dog have reported it burning bare feet and a dog's paws during a May heatwave, and the flat itself heating up badly behind the bi-fold doors, with no parasol available. If you are visiting in warm weather with a dog, plan to be out during the middle of the day and check whether shade has been added since. Housekeeping is generally good, though dog hair left on the sofa has been reported, and the sofa and bar stools have drawn complaints for staining.

For dog owners who want a quiet, well-equipped base for the New Forest, with a field on the doorstep and a pub within walking distance, The Swish earns a 4.6/5 paw rating. Just book with the sun in mind: in a heatwave, the balcony that makes the place is the part you will need to keep your dog off.