Tregiffian Vean, Sennen Cove

Tregiffian Vean is a genuinely dog-friendly place to base a Cornish holiday, and it is built for the kind of trip where the dogs come as standard rather than as an afterthought. This large detached house sits high on the cliffs above Gwenver Beach, a short drive from Sennen Cove and around eight miles from Penzance, with the sort of wide-open coastal walking on the doorstep that active dogs love.

Up to two dogs are welcome, and the owners have a reputation for being relaxed and accommodating. Guests travelling with several dogs report being made to feel genuinely at home, with some flexibility on the occasional extra dog by arrangement. The enclosed walled courtyard is the feature that makes the biggest practical difference: it gives you a secure spot to let dogs out first thing in the morning or contain them while you load the car, and it doubles as a safe play area for children. There is also an outdoor tap for rinsing off muddy paws, wetsuits and walking boots after a day on the coast path or the beach.

The location is the real draw for dog owners. You are within easy reach of some of the best dog-friendly beaches in west Cornwall, and the cliff paths towards Land's End and around Sennen offer miles of off-lead walking with spectacular sea views. After a big walk the house has the space to spread out, with four generous bedrooms sleeping a large group, so it suits two families holidaying together as much as one big family.

A few things worth knowing: the house is characterful rather than brand new, and a couple of guests have noted it feels a little tired in places, so set your expectations to comfortable-and-spacious rather than boutique. The two-dog limit may also be tight for anyone travelling with a bigger pack, though it is clearly applied with some flexibility.

For a spacious, unfussy Cornish bolthole where dogs are genuinely part of the plan and the coast is right outside the door, Tregiffian Vean earns a full 5.0/5 paw rating.