Wren Cottage, Coleford

Wren Cottage is a small, recently renovated one-bedroom cottage on the edge of the Forest of Dean, tucked above the Wye a couple of miles from Monmouth and a short drive from Coleford. For a couple or a solo traveller with dogs, the draw is simple: the garden is fully enclosed, and almost everyone who brings a dog says so.

The cottage is well set up beyond that. There is parking at the property, a utility area that doubles as somewhere to deal with a wet dog, and a welcome hamper on arrival that guests rate highly - typically cheese, butter, milk and fruit juice waiting in the fridge. The interior is modern and comfortable, including a bedroom with a bath in it, and the owners are described as informative and quick to sort anything out.

The walking is the other reason to come. Paths start close to the cottage, Symonds Yat Rock is a short drive, and the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley are on the doorstep. Owners with older or less mobile dogs still get on well here, because the setting is quiet and the enclosed garden does a lot of the work. There is a well-regarded pub a short drive away at Staunton, and a supermarket about seven minutes down the road.

Two things to plan for. The access lane is single track, narrow and potholed, with a blind bend that guests flag as a genuine hazard - take it slowly, and think about how your car copes with rough surfaces. Inside, the stairs are steep with a dog gate at the top and the only toilet is upstairs, which is worth considering with an older dog or a puppy that follows you everywhere. Outdoor upkeep can also be variable, with long grass and aging patio furniture reported.

With a paw rating of 4.7/5, Wren Cottage is a strong pick for one or two dogs and a quiet Forest of Dean base with a genuinely secure garden.