Under the Stars Shepherds Huts, Isle of Wight

Under the Stars is a small collection of shepherd's huts set in fields at Harbors Lake, near Newchurch in the middle of the Isle of Wight, and it is one of the more genuinely restful dog-friendly stays on the island. The huts are generously spaced, so there is real privacy between them, and each is fitted out far better than the format suggests: properly equipped, cosy and warm, with a barbecue that converts to a fire pit for sitting out in the evening.

Dogs are welcome and the hosts are practical about it. Owners arriving with dogs have been handed towels and a flexi lead without having to ask, and check-in has been brought forward on request. The surrounding lanes and fields make for easy walking straight from the door, and Yaverland beach, which is sandy, dog-friendly and good for swimming, is about ten minutes away by car.

There is one condition that matters more than anything else here, and every owner should weigh it before booking. This is a working setup with sheep in the fields, so dogs have to stay on a lead at all times. There is no off-lead running and no secure fenced paddock, and the advice from previous guests is to pack a long line so a dog can be outside the hut without troubling the livestock. If the trip depends on a dog being able to roam free, this is not the right place for it.

The other practical limit is space. A shepherd's hut is compact by design and storage is minimal, so a large dog plus luggage makes for a tight fit and everything has to be kept tidy. Rabbits and other wildlife keep things interesting after dark, which some dogs will find more entertaining than their owners do.

At 4.7/5, Under the Stars suits owners of a lead-trained, settled dog who want quiet, dark skies and a simple island base within easy reach of a dog-friendly beach.