Elizabeth House

Elizabeth House is a spacious Victorian townhouse in Hornsea, a traditional seaside town on the East Yorkshire coast where a long beach sits alongside the freshwater Hornsea Mere. It is a roomy self-catering holiday home rather than a hotel, well suited to larger families, and it has earned a loyal following among dog owners - several of whom return year after year for the same easy, comfortable break.

Guests travelling with pets highlight two things above all. The first is the welcome: arrivals are met with fresh flowers, a generous pack of tea, coffee and biscuits, and, for the dog, treats of their own - the kind of small, thoughtful gesture that sets the tone for the stay. Dog towels, bowls and poo bags are kept in a cupboard by the back door, which regular visitors single out as the sign of a house that actually plans for dogs. The second is the secure rear garden, an enclosed space where a dog can be let out safely without worrying about the road. Inside, the house is consistently described as spotlessly clean, warm and thoroughly equipped, with plenty of room for a bigger group and their dog to spread out.

The location does much of the heavy lifting for dog walks. It is a short stroll to the beach and to Hornsea's main street of shops, cafes and dog-friendly pubs, with two parks close by and the Mere within walking distance - enough variety to keep a dog happily exercised without needing to drive. The one practical point worth planning around is parking: there is no dedicated space at the rear, and on-street parking nearby can be limited at busy times, so it is worth arriving prepared. A few guests also mention some road noise at the front of the house, which most settle into quickly, and one or two have found the front path narrowed by overgrown bushes.

Elizabeth House is best suited to families and small groups travelling with one or two well-behaved dogs who want a roomy, comfortable coastal base with the beach, parks and town all within walking distance.