Exquisite 10 Bed Villa, Barnstaple

This ten-bedroom villa at Bellaire on the edge of Barnstaple is built for large groups: four floors, a hot tub, a games room, a kitchen sized for cooking for twenty, and enough outdoor space that parties of that size report never feeling on top of one another. As a whole-property rental it is structurally straightforward for dogs, with no shared corridors, no neighbouring rooms to worry about, and the run of the house and grounds for the length of the stay.

Only one review so far comes from a party travelling with dogs, so treat the pet side as an encouraging signal rather than a settled pattern. What it establishes is that dogs have been accommodated within a large mixed-age family group without friction, alongside praise for the beds, the bathrooms and the kitchen, and a welcoming local pub within walking distance up the road.

The wider feedback is more divided than the headline rating suggests, and it is fair to flag it. Most stays are very positive about the space and the setting, but a minority describe the house as needing a deep clean on arrival, citing cobwebs, dust on the clothes rails and stained kitchen cupboards. There are also reports of damp and mould in a lower-ground bedroom, of fixtures such as the pool table and bathroom fittings being worn, of the hot tub not always working, and of advertised facilities not being available on arrival. The property has changed hands, which may account for some of the variation.

Best suited to a large group bringing dogs who want a whole house with outdoor space, and who are prepared to check the current condition, and whether the grounds are securely enclosed, with the operator before booking.