The Windermere, Whitstable

The Windermere is a spacious static caravan on a holiday park just off the Faversham Road at Seasalter, on the coast a few miles west of Whitstable, and for a dog the location is the whole point. The beach is directly across the road, so the first walk of the day is a two-minute affair, and the shingle and sea wall run for miles in both directions. Guests travelling with dogs describe the area as thoroughly dog-friendly, with a pub and restaurant about five minutes away on foot that does good food and puts on live music.

The caravan is set up for a proper stay rather than a night's sleep. It is roomy, kitchen equipment and bedding are provided, and there is a decked porch with seating where you can sit out with a cup of tea while the dog dozes. Pets are charged at a flat twenty pounds for the whole stay however many you bring, and up to four are allowed, which makes it one of the cheaper options for a household with more than one dog. The owners get a lot of credit for quick, clear communication and a straightforward key handover.

Two things to be aware of on the park itself. Much of it is privately owned caravans with their own plots, and the boundaries are not obvious, so guests have been ticked off for walking across what turned out to be somebody's garden - stick to the roadways. There is also nothing posted about dogs being kept on leads, which in practice means assume they should be, and no site map or speed limit signs to help you find your way about when you arrive.

Housekeeping is the other variable. Most guests find the caravan clean and well maintained, but there is a run of complaints about linen, towels and kitchenware falling short, so check what you have been given on arrival and say something straight away if it is not right. For a low-cost seaside base where the dog can be on the beach within a minute of the door, it works, and it earns a 4.6/5 paw rating.