Coastal Haven Cottage, Ilfracombe

Coastal Haven is a two-bedroom cottage on Marlborough Road in Ilfracombe, a few minutes on foot from the town, the harbour and the beaches, with a small garden at the back. For a dog holiday in north Devon the position is close to ideal: you can walk the dog into town, walk it onto the coast path, and leave the car alone.

Up to two dogs can stay. More than two needs approval in advance and costs extra. A pet charge of £50 applies, though the listing does not say whether that is per dog, per night or per stay, and on a week away the difference is substantial - worth pinning down before you book rather than at the door.

Dog owners who have stayed rate the location and the hosts highly, describing them as friendly, informative and quick to step in when something needs sorting. The small garden earns its keep for last-thing-at-night trips outside, and the cottage is well stocked with the usual comforts.

Two things are worth knowing before you bring a dog here. The furnishings work against you: the soft furnishings are pale fabric and the carpets are cream, and guests coming back off a wet walk suggest packing your own throws to cover the furniture and wiping paws at the door. And the cottage does not always match the standard the photographs set. There have been reports of it feeling tired and scruffy, of crockery and a fridge that had not been properly cleaned, and of a dog smell lingering from an earlier stay. Noise from neighbouring properties has also come up, which the hosts have intervened to deal with.

It suits dog owners who want a well-placed base for walking north Devon and are relaxed about a cottage that is comfortable rather than immaculate. If you are travelling with a large, muddy dog and pale upholstery would worry you, bring covers or look elsewhere.