The Charlesworth

The Charlesworth is a small, family-run guesthouse on Tregonwell Road, in the West Cliff area of central Bournemouth, and it makes an easy, unfussy base for a seaside break with a dog. The beach, the Lower Gardens and the town centre are all a few minutes' walk away, and dogs stay in the rooms for a modest nightly charge.

That charge is £10 a night with a minimum of £20, and the guesthouse asks to be contacted before arrival to confirm the dog is coming. It is worth sorting at the booking stage rather than at the door, as guests with dogs have sometimes found the extra charge was not obvious until they arrived. Rooms are sold room-only, so there is no breakfast on site, but a dog-friendly pub directly across the road serves food from breakfast through to dinner, which takes care of the morning routine neatly.

The owning couple are the main reason dog owners leave happy. They come across as warm and accommodating, happy to fit a late arrival, a baby and a dog into the same booking, and small touches such as hot chocolate and biscuits in the room get mentioned often. The house sits in a quiet residential pocket despite being so central, and the dog-friendly beaches at Boscombe and Highcliffe are a short drive away, which is useful in summer when dogs are restricted on much of the central seafront.

It is an older building and it shows in places. Shower rooms are compact, some rooms are small, water pressure varies, and towels and fittings have been described as tired. Parking is tight, with more cars than spaces and a daily charge, and the wifi has let down guests who needed to work. The latest check-in time is 9.30pm, so plan the drive accordingly.

Best suited to couples and families with a dog who want a friendly, central and reasonably priced base close to the beach and are happy to eat out, The Charlesworth earns a 4.3/5 paw rating. It is less suited to anyone who needs reliable wifi, a roomy bathroom or easy parking.