The Stables Apartments at Meadfoot Bay

The Stables Apartments sit on Daddyhole Road in Torquay, a quiet lane above Meadfoot Beach with the coast path a couple of minutes away, and the operator prepares for dogs rather than simply permitting them. Guests arriving with a dog find throws laid over the furniture, a bowl in the kitchen and treats put out, alongside the milk and basics left in the fridge.

Up to two well behaved adult dogs are accepted, by prior arrangement only, and a pet charge applies per dog per booking. The prior-arrangement rule is firm, so confirm the dog in writing when you book rather than mentioning it on arrival. Dogs should not be left unattended in the apartment, which is worth planning around if you were hoping to eat out without them. Registered assistance dogs stay at no extra charge.

The position is the strongest reason to choose it. Daddyhole Plain and the South West Coast Path start at the end of the road, giving you clifftop walking without getting in the car, and Meadfoot Beach is a short walk downhill. Beach access with dogs is seasonal across Torbay, so check the notice for the stretch you want. The harbour and town are around ten minutes on foot.

The apartments themselves get good marks for the interiors, the kitchens and the bathrooms, and the setting is genuinely quiet. Guest scores sit at 9.5/10 across 22 reviews.

Two caveats are worth knowing before you book. The front of the building is tired and makes a poor first impression compared with the apartments behind it, and a few guests have noticed a slight damp smell in some rooms, which is not unusual in older sea-facing Torquay buildings but matters if you are sensitive to it. Best suited to a couple or small family with up to two dogs who want a quiet Torquay base with the coast path from the door. It earns a 4.5/5 paw rating.