Two the Manor Born, Tynemouth

Tynemouth is a genuinely easy place to bring a dog, and Two the Manor Born puts you a few minutes' walk from the best of it. The house sits in a quiet residential street off the village, close enough to walk down to Longsands and King Edward's Bay and to the headland where the Priory and castle stand above the mouth of the Tyne. Front Street's cafes, bakeries and independent shops are on the doorstep, and central Newcastle is about fifteen minutes by car.

It is a whole three-bedroom house rather than a room in a shared building, which is most of the appeal for dog owners: no corridors, no lift, and a back yard with decking that guests describe as secure enough to let a dog out without worrying. The drive takes two cars and the surrounding permit-only streets are available to guests, so arriving with a car full of dog kit is straightforward. The owners answer messages quickly and have gone out of their way for guests who left belongings behind.

Up to three pets are allowed, and a charge applies for each dog. The amount is not published, so agree it with the owners when you book. No weight limit is stated.

Cleanliness is where this one loses ground, and it is worth going in with clear eyes. Guests have reported a lingering dog smell in the kitchen and front sitting room, kitchen appliances and cupboards that needed a deeper clean than they had been given, and an outdoor decking area left untidy with broken furniture. Smaller maintenance niggles, such as a leaking shower and a loose toilet seat, come up too. The 4.1/5 paw rating reflects that split: the location and the space are excellent, the housekeeping is inconsistent.

Best suited to dog owners who want room to spread out and a beach five minutes from the front door, and who would rather have that than a spotless finish.