Tavern Way, Corfe Castle

Tavern Way is a whole-house rental in the middle of Corfe Castle, and its best feature for anyone travelling with a dog is out the back: a long fenced garden with a gate that opens straight onto the common. The first walk of the day starts at the back door rather than at the end of a lead down a village street, and a dog can be let out safely last thing at night.

Up to two dogs are welcome. Having the whole house to yourselves removes the usual complications of a shared building, with no corridors to negotiate and no other guests' doors to pass, and there is parking directly outside the front door so a wet or muddy dog goes from car to cottage in a few steps.

Corfe Castle suits a walking holiday. The ruined castle sits above the village, the Purbeck ridge paths and the coast at Studland are both within easy reach, and there are pubs and a shop a short stroll away. Guests consistently pick out the location and the garden as the two things that make the cottage work.

Two things are worth knowing before booking. Cleanliness is the recurring complaint: the bathroom, the insides of the kitchen cupboards and the general dusting have all been flagged as needing more attention than a self-catering let at this price should. There is no mop, bucket or long-handled brush in the cottage either, so bring your own kit for muddy paws. The staircase is steep and narrow and the bathroom is downstairs while the bedrooms are upstairs, which is worth thinking about for an older dog that needs carrying.

For a couple or a small family with one or two dogs who want a village base for the Purbeck walks and will forgive a cottage that is a little rough around the edges, Tavern Way earns its 4.3/5 paw rating.