Windwhistle, Lyme Regis

Windwhistle is a cosy, characterful cottage set on the hill just above the Cobb in Lyme Regis, on the edge of Dorset's Jurassic Coast. It is let as a whole house, and its dog credentials are among the strongest of any cottage in the town: a secure, gated garden, a handy porch for hanging up wet coats and wiping down muddy paws, and a dog-friendly beach within easy reach. Guests travelling with dogs return again and again, several mentioning repeat stays.

The gated garden is the detail that comes up most - it gives dogs a safe, enclosed spot to stretch their legs without any worry, and one visitor even brought a guide dog who settled straight in. Inside, the cottage is warm, clean and well equipped, with sea views from the front bedrooms and a sunny conservatory and garden that guests describe as a real suntrap. The allocated parking space, only steps away, earns repeated praise as a rarity in a busy coastal town.

Location is a genuine strength: it is roughly a hundred yards from the Cobb, close to the beaches and walkable for less mobile visitors, so a day out needs little planning. The porch and cool tiled utility floor are small touches that make a real difference when you are coming back salty, sandy and warm from a coastal walk.

One honest note: the cottage is compact, the shops are a short walk rather than on the doorstep, and one guest arrived to find the cleaning had not been done properly before their stay. It appears to have been an off day rather than the norm, but it is worth a quick word with the property to confirm changeover cleaning if that matters to you.

Windwhistle suits dog owners who want a warm, characterful base with a secure garden and the Cobb and beaches on the doorstep. Confirm the current pet fee and number of dogs allowed when you book, and it makes an easy, welcoming choice for a Lyme Regis break with a dog.