Mulberry Cottage, Langton Matravers

Mulberry Cottage is a small stone cottage in Acton, a quiet hamlet just outside Langton Matravers on Dorset's Isle of Purbeck, and it suits a couple travelling with a dog or two about as well as a self-catering base can. There is one bedroom, an enclosed garden, and a network of public footpaths starting at the door, so the first walk of the day needs no car journey.

The pet side of things is refreshingly simple. Up to two pets are welcome on request, and there is no pet fee to budget for. No weight limit or breed restriction is listed, and service animals are welcomed too.

One thing is worth knowing before booking with a small dog: the garden is enclosed, but the gate is not secure enough to hold a small or determined one. Owners of smaller breeds should plan on lead time outside or close supervision rather than leaving the door open. For medium and larger dogs it is a non-issue, and guests travelling with dogs regularly pick out the garden as one of the cottage's best features.

The walking is the real draw. Dancing Ledge, one of the most striking stretches of the Purbeck cliffs, is about a mile away, and Swanage and its beach are 2.5 miles down the road. Worth Matravers and its pub are within walking distance. Dog owners come back to the same points again and again: walks straight from the door, an enclosed garden to come home to, and a wood burner to dry off in front of afterwards.

It is a character property and comes with the quirks of one. The doorways are low throughout, the electricity and heating are metered so longer stays cost more than the headline rate, and the shower over the bath is weak. Guests who arrive expecting a compact, old, quiet cottage tend to love it; those hoping for something more modern find it tight.

Best suited to a couple with one or two medium or larger dogs who want a quiet Purbeck base and plan to spend their days walking. Small-dog owners are still well served, as long as they book knowing about the garden gate.