Yew Lodge, Cawston

Yew Lodge sits back from the road among trees near Cawston in mid-Norfolk, surrounded by countryside and woodland, and it is one of those places where every party that brought a dog came away saying the same thing: the garden is big, private and properly enclosed, so the dog can be off the lead while you use the hot tub.

No pet fee, weight limit or breed restriction is published for the lodge, so confirm the terms with the host at the time of booking. The practical set-up is good for a dog holiday, with a well-equipped kitchen, robes and towels supplied, a hot tub that is up to temperature on arrival, and a host who has accommodated an early check-in more than once.

The location is quiet to the point of seclusion. You wake to birdsong, the coast and Norwich are both an easy drive, supermarkets are fifteen to twenty minutes away, and there is a pub in Cawston within reach for an evening meal. Lanes and field edges give you a walk straight from the door.

The caveats are small but worth knowing. A sensor light in the garden triggers on anything that moves, wildlife included, and there are no blackout curtains in the living room, so a dog that reacts to light or movement at night may settle better with the bedroom door shut. Guests have also flagged a slow-draining shower, a loose toilet seat and a front door that rattles in high winds, and the main double bed is a little small for two adults.

With a 4.5/5 paw rating drawn from consistently positive stays by dog owners, Yew Lodge is a strong pick for a couple or small family whose dog benefits from a securely fenced garden, and who want quiet countryside rather than a village high street.