Clearmount Cottage, Weymouth

Clearmount Cottage is an entire-house rental on Old Castle Road in Weymouth, a quiet spot within walking distance of the seafront, and it suits a dog holiday better than most self-catering in the town for one structural reason: you get the whole house, with gardens front and back, and no shared corridors or neighbouring rooms to negotiate.

Up to two well behaved dogs are welcome per booking. No pet charge is published, so agree that with the property in the same message that confirms the dog.

The gardens are the practical win. A rear garden means a dog can go out last thing at night without a lead-up walk, and the front garden gives you somewhere to unload the car and the dog separately on arrival. Parking comes with the house, which matters in a part of Weymouth where on-street space is tight. Guests travelling with a dog describe the house as genuinely set up for one rather than simply tolerating it, and note that the practical basics, from cooking oil and condiments to toiletries, are already in the cupboards.

Walking is the reason to bring a dog here. The Rodwell Trail runs alongside the property: a flat, traffic-free former railway line heading south towards Portland Harbour, which makes an easy first-thing loop before breakfast. The beach is about five minutes on foot and central Weymouth roughly fifteen, and the South West Coast Path opens east towards Lulworth and Durdle Door for bigger days out.

Two honest caveats. The access drive is awkward to pull into, so take it slowly with a car full of dog and luggage. And the downstairs bedroom and bathroom are noticeably smaller than the rest of the house, so think about who sleeps where if anyone needs ground-floor space. Guest scores across the property are strong at 9.6/10.

Best suited to a family or a couple bringing one or two dogs for a Weymouth or Jurassic Coast week, who want a whole house with a garden and a proper walk from the door rather than a hotel room. It earns a 4.5/5 paw rating.