The White Barn near Cambridge

The White Barn is a self-contained barn conversion in the village of Hilton, a few miles east of Huntingdon and about twenty minutes' drive from Cambridge, and it works well as a quiet base for a stay with a dog. It is let as a whole space rather than a room in someone's house, so there are no shared corridors or other guests to work around.

The property takes dogs and small caged animals, which is unusual. Most pet-friendly listings stop at dogs, so this is a genuinely useful option for anyone travelling with a rabbit or similar, and owners who have arrived with two small dogs report the host was happy to accommodate them.

The feature that comes up most is the enclosed courtyard. Guests travelling with dogs describe it as safe and secure, which makes the practical business of a stay much easier - letting the dog out first thing without a lead, or leaving the door open between courtyard and barn while you cook. There is a small garden for outside dining, easy parking, and a village pub and shop within walking distance for the evening walk.

The main caveat is road noise. The barn fronts onto a busy road and guests have said so plainly, which is worth factoring in if you or your dog sleep lightly, though the courtyard itself sits behind the building and away from it. Small maintenance niggles have also come up, so it is worth flagging anything to the host early rather than putting up with it.

Best suited to a couple or solo traveller with one or two small, settled dogs - or a small caged pet - who want a self-contained Cambridgeshire base with a secure courtyard and a village pub a short walk away.