Willow Bungalow, St Ives

Willow Bungalow sits in a pocket of woodland on the Carbis Bay side of St Ives, and the thing that sells it to dog owners is the enclosed garden. It is private enough that guests describe letting the dog out without a second thought, which in a part of Cornwall where most self-catering opens straight onto a lane counts for a lot.

The setting is genuinely quiet. The bungalow is tucked away with no passing footfall, and guests repeatedly use words like secluded and private about it. Carbis Bay beach is close enough to walk to and St Ives is a short hop for food and shops, so a dog gets sand and a coast path without a long drive. Sam, who looks after the place, responds quickly and is generous with suggestions for where to eat and walk.

Guests travelling with dogs have reported no extra charge for bringing them, though the property listing does not set out a pet policy, so confirm the terms when you book. Inside, the kitchen is well equipped, the bed is comfortable, and there is a bath as well as a good shower, which is more useful than it sounds after a beach walk with a sandy dog.

The honest caveats are about upkeep and access. The path down to the bungalow is narrow, has flooded in heavy rain and turns slippery under fallen leaves, and the car park is badly rutted, so this is not an easy arrival for anyone with mobility problems. More than one guest has found the housekeeping uneven, with dusty ornaments and decorations, tired soft furnishings, and a musty or doggy smell about the sofa. None of that is a dealbreaker for most dog owners, who tend to want a garden and a beach more than pristine decor, but it is the reason this lands at 4.5/5 rather than higher.