Seven cosy dog-friendly cottages for your next trip

Deep in the Cornish countryside, South Priddacombe is set in its own 90 acres, far from anything and anyone, in the middle of Bodmin Moor. It’s the sort of place where you stock up, settle in and never leave, gathering round the huge kitchen table, the fireplace in the lounge or the various diversions in the games room. There are walks to Rough Tor and Brown Willy, Cornwall’s highest points, starting from right outside the back door, with an enclosed garden for the morning and evening “business trips”. This being Cornwall, you’re never far from a beach either, so you have a choice of dramatic landscapes and more than a handful of fine pubs to find lunch in.

Can’t decide between a cosy cottage in England, or one in Wales? Stay on the fence, at Orchard Cottage. Run by the Sidney Nolan Trust, which works with local school children and visiting artists from around the world. Your stay contributes to their work but is also a chance for you and your dog to enjoy the gardens and explore through the woods all the way to Offa’s Dyke. There are dog treats and blankets, as well as the boot room for post-hike calming down time and the sunroom for napping, while humans can stretch out on the sofa by the wood burner. You also have freedom to wander the gallery, so check out the great rolling programme of exhibitions on your doorstep!

Just a stone’s throw from The Black Mountains, this is one of the best contenders for a group – with room for up to eight, and two extra kids. Run wild with the kids and the dogs, taking on hill climbs, canoe and kayak rides – or exploring local towns and cities for food and culture. This area is packed with things to do, but when you’re out of juice, and the kids retire to bed after communal dinners at the large dining table, switch gears with tournaments on the table football/table tennis table, look baffled at your partner whilst you play charades by the open fire, or mellow out in the hot tub out the back. Oh, and don't miss the gin distillery and coffee roasters that are on site – where you can visit, go for a tasting, and even learn the ropes!

Here’s one for the secluded-getaway-enjoyers. A place to come and relax, rather than pack in a lot of adventure, Top Lodge Cottage is perched right at the very last bit of England, before it melts into Scotland, and exploring the area will be more about long walks with the dog where you don’t see a soul all day than dropping into pubs and market towns. It’s a bit of a hike to the nearest... anything, so stock up on food, biscuits and books. Once you’re settled, you’ll have nothing more pressing to do than choose between the indoor roll top bath and the outdoor one, in the woods behind the cottage.

The West Country will always give you a good time. Whether it’s cheese, cider, or… wait, do you need more? If you’re headed out that way you might want to see about staying in Coal Merchant's Cottage, east of Cheltenham, at the top of the Cotswolds. With plenty of walks to tucker out the dog, take in slow village life, and enjoy how quiet the roads are when you finally get that lie in, or amble out for a stroll after a late breakfast – not hurrying back to wash the hound before lunch! If you really fancy a little life in the faster lane, it’s not too far to drive to one of the local towns, or to Cheltenham if you fancy it.

Some of the best places to stay don’t change over the years, they evolve – and Irma’s Cottage is no exception. Restored in the 70s, added to again in the 80s, with its latest additions only a few years ago, it’s awash with period features and delicate touches of modernity thrown in. It’s a stunning stay, 20 or so minutes from the coast, so a perfect jumping off point for ear-flapping coastal walks, or grabbing a bite to eat at one of the seaside towns. But if you don’t feel like venturing far, there’s trails straight from the front door, with the glass sunroom perfect for post-walk naps.

Everyone needs to visit the Brecon region at least once, and those that do tend to come back. Jam packed with activities, mountains and incredible wild, it’s unarguably wonderful. And if you’re staying, why not go somewhere that looks like it’s straight out of an interior design magazine? With enclosed gardens out the front and the back, it’s easy to enjoy sitting out with a spot of lunch at the table, whilst your four-legged friend trots about. It’s easy to give them a little rinse after a walk straight from the front door too, with a downstairs wet room! Even if you do go out and explore the local towns or the nearby Brecon Beacons, the best part of your day might still be returning for a well-deserved soak in the roll-top bath.

Stay at Penlan Cottage >